School employees, public employees and eligible retirees have a health-benefits deadline coming before Thanksgiving. Washington’s PEBB and SEBB annual open enrollment runs through Monday, Nov. 23, with changes taking effect Jan. 1, 2027.
For local households enrolled through a participating employer, this is a chance to check what a plan will cost next year and whether it still covers the care you use.
Start with the right enrollment page
The Health Care Authority separates information for PEBB employees and continuation subscribers, PEBB retirees and SEBB employees and continuation subscribers. Use the page that matches your enrollment, since plan choices, premiums and form destinations differ.
PEBB Medicare retirees have the same Nov. 23 PEBB deadline. HCA specifically distinguishes it from general Medicare open enrollment, which ends Dec. 7. If you are thinking about leaving employer or retiree coverage, ask HCA about the consequences before enrolling elsewhere.
Four checks before choosing
- Compare the full cost. Review 2027 monthly premiums alongside deductibles, copays and the out-of-pocket limit. Use the correct employee, retiree or continuation-coverage rate sheet.
- Check doctors and hospitals. Confirm the exact 2027 plan and network with the insurer and your providers. A familiar insurance-company name does not establish that every plan it sells includes your clinic.
- Check prescriptions. Review your regular medicines in the plan’s drug list, including pharmacy arrangements and any approval requirements.
- Review your household. Check enrolled dependents and any spouse or registered domestic partner premium-surcharge notice. Follow the instructions if HCA asks you to attest again.
HCA’s enrollment pages link plan comparisons, 2027 changes and virtual benefits fairs. Those resources are useful if you cannot attend an in-person fair.
One local change to check: HCA says the SEBB Premera HMO plan is expanding to Snohomish County for 2027. That gives some school employees another option to compare. Verify the exact network and your providers before choosing it.
Submit the changes and keep confirmation
Benefits 24/7 is available for open-enrollment changes until 11:59 p.m. Nov. 23. UW, WSU and Pierce County employees use Workday instead, according to HCA.
Paper-form routing depends on your subscriber category. Follow your enrollment page and employer’s instructions, including where the form must arrive by Nov. 23. Mailing it on the final day may miss a receipt deadline. Keep a copy of the completed form or your online confirmation.
Questions about an employer’s process can go to its payroll or benefits office. For coverage questions, use the plan and HCA contacts linked from your enrollment page. Review any response or missing-document request while there is still time to resolve it.
Updated Oct. 30, 2026. Sources: HCA enrollment announcement, PEBB open enrollment and SEBB open enrollment.
