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Public commenters ask for longer help hours, better regional benefits‑fair coverage and Premera materials
Summary
Two public commenters urged extended customer‑service hours during open enrollment, greater benefits‑fair coverage north of Seattle and more information from Premera about Medigap/Part G offerings; staff said printed materials will continue and that missing fair dates were corrected in the posted slides.
During the public comment period, Annette Borka and Aruna raised accessibility concerns ahead of open enrollment. Annette, a PEB retiree and volunteer from Whidbey Island, urged longer customer‑service hours—suggesting availability into the evening during open enrollment—and noted limited or costly internet access in parts of the state that can make virtual options difficult for some members. She also said benefits fairs lacked locations north of Seattle in earlier materials and urged better retiree‑oriented content.
Agency staff responded that printed materials will continue to be produced and that the initially distributed slide was truncated; staff confirmed the online materials were revised to include benefits‑fair locations north of Seattle. Aruna asked for more Premera (Medigap/Part G) information and whether Medigap plans can include YMCA/gym benefits; staff said Medigap letter plans are nationally standardized and generally cannot add such benefits, though other plan options may include them. "I would recommend that seriously look at having at least some people available maybe to 8, 09:00 at night," Annette said. Staff took the comments as actionable input for benefits‑fair planning and communications.
