Good news! Group long-term care coverage still available
October 18, 2021
Over the last several months, BIAW has been sharing information about the state’s new long-term care tax to support the WA Cares long-term care program.
There’s still time to avoid this tax by purchasing private group long-term care coverage, but time is running out.
About WA Cares
The WA Cares program provides eligible employees up to $36,500 in lifetime long-term care benefits from the state of Washington if they meet all the requirements for coverage.
As previously mentioned, employers must start collecting the new tax from their employees in January 2022.
Employees will pay this payroll deduction for the rest of their working lives—unless they receive an exemption by purchasing a qualifying private long-term care plan by Nov. 1, 2021.
Many Washington workers are opting for private insurance as there are significant differences between the state plan and private plans.
How to avoid the new tax
To qualify for the exemption and avoid the tax, an employee must purchase a qualifying private long-term care insurance plan by Nov. 1, 2021 and apply for an exemption between Oct. 1, 2021 and Dec. 31, 2022.
Group coverage still available
Earlier this year, Allstate Workplace and the Kaiser Insurance Agency with Allstate, a member of the Building Industry Association of Whatcom County, announced they are accepting groups of five or more eligible employees for group long-term care coverage. Compare the Allstate Benefit and the WA Cares Act.
While previously, we shared an Oct. 10 deadline to enroll employees, Kaiser Insurance recently reported they are able to take applications for your employees through Oct. 20.
Interested?
The Kaiser Insurance Agency with Allstate is available to help. Simply send in the short New Customer Agreement Form as soon as possible but no later than Oct. 20 and you’ll receive a self-enrollment link within 48 hours. Once you receive the enrollment link, employees will need to register by Oct. 22.
Reach out to Dennis Kaiser at DENNISKAISER@ALLSTATE.COM for more information
Additional information about the WACares Long-Term Care option
Learn more about the state’s Long-Term Care benefit by attending an upcoming live webinar or view the presentation slides here: