Open Enrollment

Below are some upcoming changes to all SEBB plans:

Flexible spending arrangements (FSAs)

• Flexible spending arrangements (FSAs): The annual maximum contribution for the FSA and Limited Purpose FSA will increase to $3,300. (If the IRS announces an additional increase in the maximum contribution limit before the end of open enrollment, the SEBB Program will adopt those changes for 2026.)
• Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) FSA contribution: This new benefit for 2026 will provide $200 for employees who meet the qualifications, including the $40,000 income limit.

Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)

• The annual maximum contribution for the DCAP will increase to $7,500 for a single person or a married couple filing a joint income tax return and to $3,750 for each married person if filing separate income tax returns.

LTD insurance

• Employer-paid LTD: The monthly benefit for basic (employer-paid) LTD insurance will increase to $450. This benefit is offered at no cost to all school employees, as long as their employer offers this benefit.
• Employee-paid LTD rates will decrease by 2 percent.

Updates to individual health plans can be found at www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/news/announcements/changes-sebb-benefits-2026

You can explore plans and find providers at www.hca.wa.gov/employee-retiree-benefits/school-employees/find-sebb-plan-provider. Or use the links below to compare various plans.

• Compare Medical Plans: www.hca.wa.gov/employee-retiree-benefits/school-employees/compare-medical-plans
• Compare Dental Plans: www.hca.wa.gov/employee-retiree-benefits/school-employees/compare-dental-plans
• Compare Vision Plans: www.hca.wa.gov/employee-retiree-benefits/school-employees/compare-vision-plans

A virtual benefits fair is a way to learn about your benefit options through an online experience — and it’s available anytime, day or night.

Visit and explore to learn more about all the benefits available. You will find links to videos, webinars, downloadable content, provider searches, and other information to help you choose the right benefits for you and your dependents. Use your computer, tablet, or smartphone to explore at your own pace. Go to hca.wa.gov/vbf-sebb to start exploring.

Kaiser Permanente, Premera and Uniform Medical Plan are also offering open enrollment webinars. Visit www.hca.wa.gov/employee-retiree-benefits/open-enrollment-webinars-sebb to view the schedule.

Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA) allow you to set aside pretax money from your paycheck to pay for out-of- pocket health care costs. Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) allows you to also set aside pretax money from your paycheck to pay for qualifying childcare or elder care expenses. If you are participating in the FSA (formerly known as Medical FSA), Limited Purpose FSA, or DCAP for 2026, you must enroll during annual open enrollment even if you are not changing your contribution amount.

Don’t wait until the last minute! The SEBB OE deadline is closer than you think. Navia Benefit Solutions must receive your enrollment no later than November 24, 2025.

There is a minimum contribution for FSA and Limited Purpose FSA of $120, up to a maximum of at least $3,300 (Note: If the IRS announces a new maximum contribution limit before or during open enrollment, HCA will adopt the new IRS maximum for 2026.). The maximum annual amount for DCAP in 2026 is $7,500 per household ($3,750 each if you and your spouse file separate tax returns).

How to enroll

You may enroll one of two ways:

• Log in and enroll on the Navia Benefit Solutions website
• Complete Navia’s Annual Open Enrollment form, available on Navia’s Forms & Documents webpage, and submit it as instructed on the form.

Navia Benefits Solutions must receive your enrollment no later than November 24, 2025.

FSAs and high-deductible health plans don’t mix

If you enroll in both an FSA and UMP High Deductible, you will be automatically disenrolled from the FSA. You or your spouse or state-registered domestic partner cannot have both an FSA and a high-deductible plan with a health savings account (HSA) in the same year.

If you have UMP High Deductible with an HSA, you can enroll in a Limited Purpose FSA for eligible dental and vision expenses

FSA funds may carry over

If you have not spent all the funds in your FSA by December 31, and you are still employed and didn't lose eligibility for the FSA, you may be able to take advantage of the carryover feature. Certain unspent funds may "carry over" into the following year without affecting annual maximums. Unused funds up to $660 will carry over to the next year. Due to IRS rules, any funds above $660 will be forfeited to HCA.

To carry over your unspent funds:

• You must enroll in either the FSA or Limited Purpose FSA for the following year, or
• Have at lease $120 left in your account balance.

Deadlines for claims

You must incur all FSA expenses by December 31, and submit all claims to Navia Benefit Solutions for reimbursement by March 31 the following year. If you are no longer employed or have retired and still have money left in your account, you can still submit claims for reimbursement until March 31, so long as the services took place while you were employed.

DCAP expenses must take place by December 31 each year. Submit all claims for reimbursement to Navia no later than March 31 of the following year. Money left in your account after that date cannot be refunded and will be forfeited to HCA. This is called the "use it or lose it" rule.

More information

Find out more on the SEBB Program’s Flexible Spending Arrangement and Dependent Care Assistance Program webpages or contact Navia at 1-800-669-3539 from 5:00am to 5:00pm PST, Monday through Friday.

The SEBB program offers two dental plans administered by Delta Dental that are often confused. Sometimes people intend to enroll in the Uniform Dental Plan (UDP) but accidentally enroll in DeltaCare, or vice versa. During annual open enrollment, be careful to choose the dental plan you want.

• DeltaCare (Group 9601) is a managed-care plan with a narrow network. You must choose a primary care dentist within the network, or you will be assigned a primary care dentist. Your primary care dentist must give you a referral to see a specialist. The plan will not pay claims if you see a provider outside of the network.
• Uniform Dental Plan (Group 9600) is a preferred provider plan. You may choose and change to any dental provider at any time, but you will typically have a lower out-of-pocket cost if you see in-network providers.

Compare your dental plan options on the SEBB Program’s Dental plans and benefits webpage. Before you enroll in a dental plan, check with the plan (DeltaCare or UDP, not the provider) to see if your provider is in the plan’s network and confirm the group number. You can call the dental plan’s customer service or use the plan’s online directory.

If you cover your spouse on your medical insurance, you should login and do the attestation (needs to be done yearly) to avoid the $50 monthly spousal fee. 

More information about attestation can be found at https://www.hca.wa.gov/sebb-benefits-admins/enrollment/premium-surcharges. Attestation can only be done during open enrollment.

Long-term substitutes are notified of their benefits eligibility when they hit 630 hours worked.

You must enroll in the FSA, Limited Purpose FSA, or DCAP each year you want to participate. You can enroll between October 27, 2025 and November 24, 2025 on Navia’s website at sebb.naviabenefits.com.