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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Dear Business Managers, Superintendents and Benefits Administrators:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Starting January 1, 2014, the federal health care reform law will require almost all Americans to have health care coverage or be subject to a penalty tax. To help people comply with this change,
the federal government has issued regulations allowing employers whose benefit plan year start date is not January 1 (like OEBB plans) to offer their employees a one-time opportunity to add or drop coverage for themselves and/or their eligible dependents.
They are calling this opportunity the “Transition Relief Change Period.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">OEBB has temporarily amended administrative rules to provide for the Transition Relief Change Period, so you may offer this opportunity to your employees and early retirees if you choose. You
are not required to do so. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The Temporary Rule language can be found on the OEBB website Administrative Rules page, Temporary section, or by clicking here:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><a href="http://www.oregon.gov/oha/OEBB/docs/DivisionRules/2013/TEMP_Div40_Oct2013.pdf">www.oregon.gov/oha/OEBB/docs/DivisionRules/2013/TEMP_Div40_Oct2013.pdf</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">If you do choose to offer the Transition Relief Change Period</span></b><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> at your entity, you can find “Transition Relief QSC Change Forms”
on the Entity Forms page of the OEBB website:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><a href="http://www.oregon.gov/oha/OEBB/entity/Pages/eeforms.aspx#Forms_for_Employing_Entities">http://www.oregon.gov/oha/OEBB/entity/Pages/eeforms.aspx#Forms_for_Employing_Entities</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Active employees and early retirees have different Transition Relief QSC Change forms, so it is clear as to which changes are allowed for each. To enter these
changes into the MyOEBB system, use the Transition Relief QSC.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The changes allowed are restricted to the following:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Active Employees:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><![if !supportLists]><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><b><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#00B050">Can</span></b><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> enroll in medical, dental and/or vision coverage if they are not currently enrolled.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><![if !supportLists]><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><b><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#00B050">Can</span></b><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> add eligible dependents to their medical, dental and/or vision coverage<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><![if !supportLists]><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><b><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#00B050">Can</span></b><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> remove currently enrolled dependents from medical, dental and/or vision plans<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><![if !supportLists]><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><b><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#00B050">Can</span></b><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> drop medical, dental and/or vision plans<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><![if !supportLists]><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><b><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:red">Cannot</span></b><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> move from one OEBB medical, dental or vision plan to another<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Early Retirees:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><![if !supportLists]><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><b><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#00B050">Can</span></b><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> remove currently enrolled dependents from medical, dental and/or vision plans<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><![if !supportLists]><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><b><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#00B050">Can</span></b><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> drop medical, dental and/or vision plans<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><![if !supportLists]><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><b><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:red">Cannot</span></b><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> move from one OEBB medical, dental or vision plan to another<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><![if !supportLists]><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><b><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:red">Cannot</span></b><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> enroll in medical, dental and/or vision coverage if they are not currently enrolled.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><![if !supportLists]><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><b><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:red">Cannot</span></b><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> add eligible dependents to their medical, dental and/or vision coverage<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Keep in mind that, as always, early retirees who drop coverage may not re-enroll at a future Open Enrollment period, and dependents removed by an early retiree may not be re-enrolled at a future
Open Enrollment period.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Special Considerations for Employees Dropping Medical Coverage (Opting out or Waiving Medical Coverage)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">First a quick reminder on the distinction between “waiving” and “opting out”:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Opt-Out</span></b><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""> – The member receives financial incentive from the employing entity in lieu of OEBB medical coverage.
The member must be enrolled in other employer-sponsored group medical coverage.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Waive –
</span></b><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">The member chooses not to enroll in OEBB medical coverage, but receives no financial incentive from the employing entity in lieu of coverage. (The member is not required to be enrolled in other employer-sponsored
group medical coverage.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">During the Transition Relief Change Period, an employee can waive or opt-out of OEBB medical coverage; however, if an employee receives any financial incentive from your entity for not taking
medical coverage (i.e., opting out), the employee must be covered under another employer-sponsored group medical plan. Cover Oregon is not an employer-sponsored group medical plan. If an employee has other group coverage through their spouse/partner’s employer,
a parent’s employer, or their own employment in a second job, they could qualify to opt-out and receive a financial incentive from your entity for doing so, if this is something that is offered.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">We hope this message helps make this complex change easier to understand and that you find it helpful in assisting your members. If you have further questions, please call OEBB Member Services
at 888-469-6322 or send an email to <a href="mailto:oebb.benefits@state.or.us">oebb.benefits@state.or.us</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal">
<span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal">
<span style="color:#44546A"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal">
<b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Brush Script MT";color:navy">Denise L. Hall<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal">
<span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#44546A">Denise L. Hall, Deputy Administrator</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:#44546A"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal">
<span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#44546A">Oregon Educators Benefit Board</span><span style="color:#44546A"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal">
<span style="color:#44546A"><a href="http://egov.oregon.gov/DAS/OEBB"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">http://egov.oregon.gov/OHA/OEBB</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal">
<span style="color:#44546A"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal">
<b><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Book Antiqua","serif";color:red">OEBB encourages all members to stay healthy and be happy!!!! Pass it on.....
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal">
<span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#44546A"><a href="http://www.oregon.gov/OHA/OEBB/pages/welllinks.aspx"><b><span style="font-family:"Book Antiqua","serif";color:#9933FF">http://www.oregon.gov/OHA/OEBB/pages/welllinks.aspx</span></b></a></span><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#9933FF"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal">
<b><span style="font-family:"Book Antiqua","serif";color:red"> </span></b><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Book Antiqua","serif";color:red"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal">
<span style="color:#44546A"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Book Antiqua","serif";color:#44546A">*****CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE*****<br>
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me immediately by reply e-mail, keep the contents confidential, and immediately delete the message and any attachments from your system.
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************************************</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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