Board advances three survivor-medical options for final briefings after members urge action

Jacob White presented a comprehensive report on surviving-spouse medical reimbursement, focusing on three issues: (1) whether LEOFF2 should reimburse Medicare premiums for survivors who are Medicare-eligible, (2) whether survivors should have the option of enrolling in PEPB or receive reimbursements equivalent to catastrophic-disability retirees, and (3) whether the plan should reimburse premiums survivors paid during administrative delays while a death is being determined line-of-duty.

White told the board roughly 30 surviving spouses are currently enrolled in Medicare and that reimbursement patterns differ substantially between pre-Medicare and Medicare enrollment (pre-Medicare PEP reimbursements were about $800–$950 per month; Medicare-eligible PEP costs are commonly $150–$180 per month while Medicare Part B averages about $185 per month). He said these differences can leave survivors with unexpected premiums and provider changes.

Board members, including Senator Holy, described the matter as a moral imperative and pointed to legislative history and implementation lessons from earlier catastrophic-disability changes. Staff counsel Steve Nelson summarized the statutory intent and implementation trade-offs, noting the original line-of-duty death law used PEPB for cost certainty while later catastrophic-disability rules were written to cover additional reimbursement types.

Senator Holy moved to advance all three options for final briefings in December, and the motion carried. Staff will work with the actuary and, where relevant, with L&I and employers to produce estimates and options that include possible retroactive reimbursement if the board elects that remedy.