Welcome to Open Enrollment Nov. 1–15
Open Enrollment ended Nov. 15. Review the information below to learn about 2023 benefit changes.
Open Enrollment is your annual opportunity to evaluate your employee benefit options and make changes for the upcoming year. Make informed decisions for you and your family—use the tools and resources below to learn about your benefit choices and changes for next year, before going into Open Enrollment using PeopleSoft.
Attend a benefits fair or online information session
Get a head start on understanding the 2023 employee benefits offerings. Attend an in-person benefits fair or an online information session hosted by your Benefits Team. To learn about the changes for next year and get your questions answered, stop by one of the Benefits Fairs or Register for an Open Enrollment information session.
If you can't attend a live session, watch the Open Enrollment Overview video.
Follow the steps below to prepare for Open Enrollment
1
Consider your medical plan options
How to choose a medical plan
Now’s the time to look at your current medical plan and make sure you’re getting the best combination of care, coverage, and convenience for you and your family.
Have your health care needs or family situation changed in the last year? A different plan might give you easier ways to manage your health, or access to additional programs and tools to help you get and stay healthy. Take time before Open Enrollment begins to learn about your medical plan options:
- SmartCare Connect (Kaiser Permanente)
- KingCare Select (Regence BlueShield)
- KingCare PPO (Regence BlueShield)
Watch the How to Choose a Medical plan video for more information. In addition, you can view the Washington Health Alliance Quality Composite Scores to compare the performance of medical groups and clinics.
At-a-glance medical plan comparison by employee group
To see how the key features of your medical plan choices match up side-by-side, select your employee benefit group below. For complete plan details, go to Benefits summaries.
Regular Employees
SmartCare Connect
Kaiser Permanente
Deductible:
Single: $0, Family: $0
Max out-of-pocket cost:
Single: $1,000, Family: $2,000
Provider choice: A primary care provider coordinates care through the plan network. You may self-refer to Kaiser of Washington specialists. No coverage for out-of-network care unless approved or referred.
Out-of-area coverage: Covered care is available at out-of-area Kaiser Permanente facilities—call Member Services to set up access. If outside the Kaiser area, urgent and emergency care is covered at any provider.
Benefit Access Fee: NONE
Other highlights
- Lowest out-of-pocket costs (no deductible)
- Broad network of Kaiser Permanente providers
- Top scores for quality and performance
- Care is coordinated for ease and convenience
KingCare Select
Regence BlueShield
In-network deductible:
Single: $100, Family: $300
In-network max out-of-pocket cost:
Single: $1,100, Family: $2,400
Provider choice: You must choose one of four networks. A primary care doctor helps you coordinate your care within your network. Referrals are not required. You save the most by staying in-network, but you can go out-of-network for a higher cost.
Find doctors in each network:
Out-of-area coverage: When seeking care outside your network, covered services are reimbursed at the out-of-network benefit level, which is significantly lower. Emergency care is covered the same anywhere.
Benefit Access Fee: NONE
Other highlights
- Lower out-of-pocket costs than the traditional KingCare PPO plan
- Choice of four accountable health networks (AHNs) in the Puget Sound region (you choose
one):
- Eastside Health
- MultiCare Connected Care
- UW Medicine
- Virginia Mason Franciscan Health - AHNs help coordinate your care
KingCare PPO
Regence BlueShield
In-network deductible:
Single: $300, Family: $900
In-network max out-of-pocket cost:
Single: $1,100, Family: $2,500
Provider choice: You may choose any qualified provider, but your out-of-pocket costs are lowest when you use PPO network providers.
Out-of-area coverage: Same coverage as when home, through Regence and CVS Caremark® national provider networks.
Benefit Access Fee: $125 per month
Other highlights
- Highest out-of-pocket cost
- Traditional, broad preferred provider organization (PPO) network of doctors and specialists across the U.S. and worldwide
- You may need to coordinate more of your care
Transit Employees
SmartCare Connect
Kaiser Permanente
Deductible:
Single: $0, Family: $0
Max out-of-pocket cost:
Single: $1,000, Family: $2,000
Provider choice: A primary care provider coordinates care through the plan network. You may self-refer to Kaiser of Washington specialists. No coverage for out-of-network care unless approved or referred.
Out-of-area coverage: Covered care is available at out-of-area Kaiser Permanente facilities—call Member Services to set up access. If outside the Kaiser area, urgent and emergency care is covered at any provider.
Benefit Access Fee: NONE
Other highlights
- Lowest out-of-pocket costs (no deductible)
- Broad network of Kaiser Permanente providers
- Top scores for quality and performance
- Care is coordinated for ease and convenience
KingCare Select
Regence BlueShield
In-network deductible:
Single: $100, Family: $300
In-network max out-of-pocket cost:
Single: $1,100, Family: $2,400
Provider choice: You must choose one of four networks. A primary care doctor helps you coordinate your care within your network. Referrals are not required. You save the most by staying in-network, but you can go out-of-network for a higher cost.
Find doctors in each network:
Out-of-area coverage: When seeking care outside your network, covered services are reimbursed at the out-of-network benefit level, which is significantly lower. Emergency care is covered the same anywhere.
Benefit Access Fee: NONE
Other highlights
- Lower out-of-pocket costs than the traditional KingCare PPO plan
- Choice of four accountable health networks (AHNs) in the Puget Sound region (you choose
one):
- Eastside Health
- MultiCare Connected Care
- UW Medicine
- Virginia Mason Franciscan Health - AHNs help coordinate your care
KingCare PPO
Regence BlueShield
In-network deductible:
Single: $350, Family: $1,050
In-network max out-of-pocket cost:
Single: $1,350, Family: $3,050
Provider choice: You may choose any qualified provider, but your out-of-pocket costs are lowest when you use PPO network providers.
Out-of-area coverage: Same coverage as when home, through Regence and CVS Caremark® national provider networks.
Benefit Access Fee: $150 per month
Other highlights
- Highest out-of-pocket cost
- Traditional, broad preferred provider organization (PPO) network of doctors and specialists across the U.S. and worldwide
- You may need to coordinate more of your care
Deputy Sheriff Employees
SmartCare Connect
Kaiser Permanente
Deductible:
Single: $0, Family: $0
Max out-of-pocket cost:
Single: $1,000, Family: $2,000
Provider choice: A primary care provider coordinates care through the plan network. You may self-refer to Kaiser of Washington specialists. No coverage for out-of-network care unless approved/referred.
Out-of-area coverage: Covered care is available at out-of-area Kaiser Permanente facilities—call Member Services to set up access. If outside the Kaiser area, urgent and emergency care is covered at any provider.
Benefit Access Fee: $0
Other highlights
- Lowest out-of-pocket costs (no deductible)
- Broad network of Kaiser Permanente providers
- Top scores for quality and performance
- Care is coordinated for ease and convenience
KingCare Select
Regence BlueShield
In-network deductible:
Single: $100, Family: $300
In-network max out-of-pocket cost:
Single: $900, Family: $1,900
Provider choice: You must choose one of four area networks. A primary care doctor helps you coordinate your care within your network. Referrals are not required. You save the most by staying in-network, but you can go out-of-network for a higher cost.
Find doctors in each network:
Out-of-area coverage: When seeking care outside your network, covered services are reimbursed at the out-of-network benefit level, which is significantly lower. Emergency care is covered the same anywhere.
Benefit Access Fee: $0
Other highlights
- Lower out-of-pocket costs than the traditional KingCare PPO plan
- Choice of four accountable health networks (AHNs) in the Puget Sound region (you choose
one):
- Eastside Health
- MultiCare Connected Care
- UW Medicine
- Virginia Mason Franciscan Health - AHNs help coordinate your care
KingCare PPO
Regence BlueShield
In-network deductible:
Single: $300, Family: $900
In-network max out-of-pocket cost:
Single: $1,100, Family: $2,500
Provider choice: You may choose any qualified provider, but your out-of-pocket costs are lowest when you use PPO network providers.
Out-of-area coverage: Same coverage as when home, through Regence and CVS Caremark® national provider networks.
Plan Selection Fee: $100 per month
Benefit Access Fee: $100 per month
Other highlights
- Highest out-of-pocket cost
- Traditional, broad preferred provider organization (PPO) network of doctors and specialists across the U.S. and worldwide
- You may need to coordinate more of your care
2
Review the benefit changes for next year
The following benefit changes become effective on Jan. 1, 2023. Review the changes for your employee benefit group. If you would like to print a copy, go to Key Benefit Changes. To better understand your costs and key medical plan terms, see the Glossary of Health Coverage and Medical Terms.
Regular Employee Benefit Group
- KingCare Select medical plan:
- This medical plan will be adding a new network option: Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. This fourth network offers 900 primary care providers, 10,000 specialists, and nine hospitals in King, Pierce, and Kitsap counties. For more information, go to KingCare Select and Virginia Mason Franciscan Health.
- The annual deductible will be reduced to $100 per individual/$300 per family (was $200/$600).
- Dental:
- A second dental plan choice will be offered. With the Cigna Dental HMO plan, you choose a network dentist who manages your overall dental care. This plan has no deductible and no annual maximum benefit, which means there is no limit to the dollar amount they will pay per year. With the Cigna plan, for two years of orthodontia treatment, you pay a $2,049 copay per child and a $2,553 copay per adult. For details, see the Dental Plan Summary and go to the Cigna website for King County employees.
- In addition, fluoride treatments will be covered for adults and children on both the Cigna and Delta Dental plans.
- Supplemental life insurance: During Open Enrollment this year, you have an opportunity to enroll or increase your current supplemental life coverage amount. You can now elect up to 6x your annual salary, up to a maximum of $750,000. Evidence of insurability may be required. No new options are available for spouse/domestic partner coverage. For more information, see the Securian Life Insurance Flyer and the Supplemental Life FAQ.
- Hearing aids: Benefit increases to $4,000 every 36 months for all ages on all medical plans.
- KingCare PPO medical plan:
- Copays for non-preferred prescription drugs increase to $75 (was $60).
- Benefit Access Fee increases to $125/month (was $100).
- Out-of-network coinsurance increases to 40% (was 35%).
- Health FSA: The maximum health care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) contribution increases to $2,850 and the carryover allowed from this year into next year increases to $570.
Transit ATU 587 Employee Benefit Group
- KingCare Select medical plan:
- This medical plan will be adding a new network option: Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. This fourth network offers 900 primary care providers, 10,000 specialists, and nine hospitals in King, Pierce, and Kitsap counties. For more information, go to KingCare Select and Virginia Mason Franciscan Health.
- The annual deductible will be reduced to $100 per individual/$300 per family (was $200/$600).
- Benefit Access Fee will be eliminated/$0 (was $75/month).
- Dental:
- A second dental plan choice will be offered. With the Cigna Dental HMO plan, you choose a network dentist who manages your overall dental care. This plan has no deductible and no annual maximum benefit, which means there is no limit to the dollar amount they will pay per year. With the Cigna plan, for two years of orthodontia treatment, you pay a $2,049 copay per child and a $2,553 copay per adult. For details, see the Dental Plan Summary and go to the Cigna website for King County employees.
- In addition, fluoride treatments will be covered for adults and children on both the Cigna and Delta Dental plans.
- Supplemental life insurance: During Open Enrollment this year, employees in the Full-time Full-benefits group have an opportunity to enroll or increase your current supplemental life coverage amount. You can now elect up to 6x your annual salary, up to a maximum of $750,000. Evidence of insurability may be required. No new options are available for spouse/domestic partner coverage. For more information, see the Cigna Life Insurance Flyer and the Supplemental Life FAQ. (Note: This enrollment opportunity does not apply to Transit ATU 587 employees in the Part-time Full Benefits or Part-time Partial Benefits groups.)
- Hearing aids: Benefit increases to $4,000 every 36 months for all ages on all medical plans.
- Long-term disability: The waiting period for King County-paid basic long-term disability insurance will decrease from 180 days to 90 days. This eliminates the need for the supplemental long-term disability plan, so that will be discontinued.
- KingCare PPO medical plan:
- Copays for prescriptions increase to $35 for preferred brands (was $33) and $80 for non-preferred brands (was $67).
- Out-of-network coinsurance increases to 40% (was 35%).
- Health FSA: The maximum health care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) contribution increases to $2,850 and the carryover allowed from this year into next year increases to $570.
Deputy Sheriff Employee Benefit Group
- KingCare PPO medical plan: Employees on the KingCare PPO medical plan will have a $100 per month Plan Selection Fee deducted from their paychecks on a pre-tax basis. The amount of the Plan Selection Fee, $100, is the same whether you cover your family or just yourself. The Plan Selection Fee is in addition to the $100 per month Benefit Access Fee if you cover a spouse who has access to an employer-based medical plan.
- KingCare Select medical plan: This medical plan will be adding a new network option: Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. This fourth network offers 900 primary care providers, 10,000 specialists, and nine hospitals in King, Pierce, and Kitsap counties. For more information, go to KingCare Select and Virginia Mason Franciscan Health.
- Health FSA: The maximum health care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) contribution increases to $2,850 and the carryover allowed from this year into next year increases to $570.
3
Other actions to take during Open Enrollment
Flexible Spending Accounts
- Enroll in a Health Care or Dependent Day Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to reduce your taxable income.
- The maximum annual Health Care FSA contribution is $2,850 in 2023.
- FSA funds must be used Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2023.
- The Health Care FSA allows $570 in unused funds to be rolled over from this year to 2023, and you can rollover $610 from 2023 to 2024. The Day Care FSA does not allow a rollover and any unused funds remaining at the end of the year are forfeited.
- Use the Tax Savings Calculator to find out how much you can save with FSAs
- For more information, go to Flexible Spending Accounts.
Benefit Access Fees
- If you enroll in the KingCare PPO medical plan and you are covering a spouse or domestic partner, a monthly Benefit Access Fee will be automatically applied as a pre-tax payroll deduction.
- If you qualify for an exemption, you must confirm this each year during Open Enrollment.
- For details, go to Benefit Access Fees.
Other Open Enrollment options
- Add or remove family members from coverage.
- Add, discontinue, increase, or decrease supplemental AD&D insurance.
- Decrease or discontinue supplemental life insurance.
- Contribute to the Employee Giving Program during the Annual Giving Drive. Pledges do not rollover to next year.
4
Get more information & go to PeopleSoft Nov. 1—15
Complete Open Enrollment in PeopleSoft
PeopleSoft Sign-on Instructions
Completing Open Enrollment with PeopleSoft video
Go to Open Enrollment (Nov. 1 - 15 only)
For PeopleSoft help, call the IT Service Center: 206-263-HELP (4357)
What if I don’t participate in Open Enrollment?
–If you are enrolled in the KingCare PPO medical plan and you cover your spouse or state-registered domestic partner, a Benefit Access Fee will automatically be applied.
–You will not be enrolled in a Flexible Spending Account
–You will remain enrolled in your current medical plan and benefits choices.
Open Enrollment support
Call 206-684-1556 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. weekdays
Closed on Veterans Day: Nov. 11
E-mail kc.benefits@kingcounty.gov
The Benefits office is again open for walk-in service!
Visit Benefits, Payroll and Retirement Operations:
Chinook Building, 2nd Floor
Mailstop CNK-HR-0240
401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104
Closed on Veterans Day: Nov. 11
Open Enrollment mailers
Benefit plan details
For detailed plan information, go to Benefits Summaries.