Don’t forget—PEBB is requesting that you submit proof of your covered family members’ eligibility or remove them from your account by November 30, 2009.
Where do I mail my dependent verification documents?
Washington State Health Care Authority
Public Employees Benefits Board
PO Box 42685
Olympia, WA 98504-2685
Why is the PEBB Program doing this?
As stewards of taxpayer funds, the Health Care Authority (HCA) is responsible for making sure that those who are eligible for PEBB benefits receive them, and those who aren't, don't. When HCA doesn't consistently apply their eligibility rules, taxpayers, state agencies, higher-education institutions, and their members end up paying more than they should. This process has also been used by other states and large employers.
I’ve already submitted my documentation. What happens next?
If you’ve already submitted your documentation to the PEBB Program, you can expect to receive a follow-up letter in the mail after your documents have been processed. If you would like to confirm that your documents were received, please wait 30 days after mailing them to us before calling PEBB Benefits Services at 1-800-200-1004.
What authority does the Health Care Authority (HCA) have to request this information?
Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 182-12-207 states that the HCA can cancel a retiree's or eligible dependent's insurance coverage for "failure to provide information requested by the due date or knowingly providing false information."
If I send documentation to the PEBB Program, how will I know if they received it?
Once the PEBB Program has received and processed your documentation (or Request to Cancel Dependent Coverage form), they will mail a letter to you confirming your documentation was approved or requesting additional information if your documentation was incomplete. If your documentation is incomplete or illegible, you will have an additional opportunity to resend documentation up until the deadline--November 30, 2009.
What should I do if I wish to remove a family member from my coverage, and keep another family member on my coverage?
Complete the Request to Cancel Dependent Coverage form for the family member you wish to remove from your coverage, and documentation for the family members you wish to remain enrolled. Send these items together, with your social security number written on the documents, in the return enveloped provided no later than November 30, 2009.
How do I get a transcript of my 2008 tax return?
- Call the Internal Revenue Service toll free at 1-800-829-1040, press 0 for an operator, and explain you need a tax transcript.
- Fax or mail IRS Form 4506T to the IRS.
- You can get this same information from the IRS website's shortcut link: http://tinyurl.com/2zv8l.
There is no charge to request a tax return transcript. Please note that it can take up to 2 weeks for a tax return transcript to arrive.
How do I get a copy of a birth or marriage certificate?
The quickest way is to order it online by going to www.vitalchek.com.
Why should I use a commercial website to get a copy of a birth or marriage certificate instead of a state website?
- Vitalchek is an authorized government service provider. The State Office of Vital Statistics refers people to this service for online orders.
- Vitalchek's fees are about $15 for birth or marriage certificates. You pay on their website with a credit card over their secure network.
- The HCA is not endorsing this one service provider; you are free to use any service provider you choose.
What other options are there for getting birth or marriage certificates in the U.S.?
You can contact the vital statistics office in the state where you or your dependents were born or married. We cannot list all vital records offices in the U.S., the charges they make for copies of records, or the information they may require to locate a record.
If you need a record from a county in Washington State, go to the Department of Health's website at www.doh.wa.gov/EHSPHL/CHS/Cert.htm. There is a fee (generally $20) to request the form from government agencies.
How do I get a document from a foreign country?
Most, but not all, foreign countries record births, marriages, and deaths. We cannot list all foreign vital records offices, the charges they make for copies of records, or the information they may require to locate a record. However, most foreign countries will provide certifications for family status changes that occur within their boundaries.
If you need a copy of a foreign record, contact the Embassy or the nearest Consulate in the U.S. of the country in which the marriage, birth, or adoption occurred.
A helpful resource is available on the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/foreign.htm.
How do I register a domestic partnership?
Information is available on the Secretary of State's website at www.secstate.wa.gov/corps/domesticpartnerships/ or by calling (360) 725-0377 and pressing "0" for an operator.
Who can I speak to about how the HCA is handling the dependent verification process?
The verification process is necessary to ensure that the state uses taxpayer dollars fairly and consistently to only cover eligible family members. To express your thoughts on this, you can contact the Public Employees Benefits Board:
Chair, PEB Board
P.O. Box 42700
Olympia, WA 98504-2700
board@hca.wa.gov
