Note: This is a printed version of https://employeehelp.workday.uw.edu/your-benefits/dependent-verification/your-benefits-attesting-spousal-surcharge. Please visit this page on the ISC website to ensure you're referencing the most current information.
Attesting to the Spouse/Partner Premium Surcharge During Open Enrollment
Last updated Friday, October 25, 2024
If you are newly enrolling a spouse or state-registered domestic partner (SRDP) on your medical plan, or if you cover your spouse/partner on your current year medical plan and will continue to cover them next year, as part of Open Enrollment, you may need to respond (“attest”) to whether or not you must pay the Washington State Health Care Authority’s (HCA’s) $50 per month spouse/partner coverage premium surcharge:
⇒ You willneed to attest to the surcharge if you are newly enrolling a spouse or SRDP in medical coverage who is not on your current (this year) medical plan.
⇒ You mayneed to re-attest to the surcharge if you are already covering your spouse/partner in medical coverage and will continue to cover them in the next plan. Interestingly, not everyone does. If you do need to re-attest, you will receive a letter in mid- to late-October from the HCA notifying you of this requirement.
Still Not Sure? Check in Workday.
Determine if you need to attest or re-attest by following these steps:
Log into Workday via the Sign in to Workday link at the top of this page.
In Workday, select the inbox icon in the upper right corner of the screen.
In your Workday inbox (also known as My Tasks), select the Open Enrollment Change action item.
Select the Let’s Get Started button.
On the next screen, locate the “tile” titled Spousal or SRDP (Partner) Surcharge.
Select image to enlarge
⇒ If the Coverage line in the tile reads “Declined to attest for enrolled spouse or partner (will be subject to the $50 monthly premium surcharge),” as pictured on the right, you DO need to re-attest.
Open/expand the Spousal Attestation Responses menu below for further guidance.
Important! If you enrolled a spouse or SRDP as a medical dependent but do not make a selection in the Coverage field, you will be subject to the $50 monthly premium surcharge. The Coverage field will default to the “Declined to attest for enrolled spouse or partner (will be subject to the $50 monthly premium surcharge)” choice.
If this is your/your spouse’s/SRDP’s situation in 2025:
…select this choice in the Coverage field:
You are waiving (declining) medical coverage as part of Open Enrollment
“Not Applicable. I am declining medical coverage.”
You do not have/are not enrolling a spouse/SRDP as a medical dependent as part of Open Enrollment
“Not Applicable. I have not enrolled a spouse or state-registered domestic partner in medical coverage.”
You are removing your spouse/SRDP as a medical dependent as part of Open Enrollment
“Not Applicable. I have not enrolled a spouse or state-registered domestic partner in medical coverage.”
Your spouse/SRDP is unemployed or not eligible for coverage through their employer, and you are covering them as a medical dependent.
“No. My spouse or partner is not eligible for medical coverage through their employer (or will not be employed).”
Your spouse’s/SRDP’s employer-provided coverage is not offered at their home zip code/county, and you are covering them as a medical dependent.
“No. My spouse’s or partner’s employer does not offer a medical plan that serves their county of residence.”
Your spouse/SRDP is enrolled through their own employer and you are covering them as a medical dependent.
“No. My spouse or partner elected to enroll in their employer’s medical coverage.”
Your spouse/SRDP is able to enroll for PEBB or TRICARE coverage and you are are covering them as a medical dependent.
“No. My spouse’s or partner’s employer offers PEBB or TRICARE coverage.”
Your spouse/SRDP will have an employer premium of $126.36 or more per month in 2025 and you are covering them as a medical dependent.
“No. My Spouse’s or partner’s share of medical premium through their employer is $126.36 per month or more in 2025.”
If none of the above apply, use the HCA’s Spousal Plan Calculator to determine whether or not you’re subject to the surcharge. Then, depending on the result from the Spousal Plan Calculator, select either:
“Yes, I am subject to the $50 monthly spouse or partner premium surcharge. None of the other answers apply to me, and/or the result from the PEBB Spousal Plan Calculator states I am subject to the surcharge.” -OR-
“No. The result from the PEBB Spousal Plan Calculator states I am not subject to the surcharge.”
⇒ If the Coverage line in the tile indicates anything other than what is pictured above, you do not need to change it UNLESS you are changing your medical plan for 2025 during this year’s Open Enrollment.
What Is This Surcharge, Anyway?
The State of Washington requires you to pay a $50/month premium surcharge in addition to your medical plan premium if you have a spouse or SRDP enrolled on your medical plan, and they have chosen not to enroll in their own employer-based group medical insurance that is comparable to Uniform Medical Plan (UMP) Classic. Visit the HCA website for more details.
