Law / Purpose | Target Audience | Notice Requirement |
---|---|---|
Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) / up to 12 workweeks of paid, job-protected (based on qualifications) leave in a 12-month period for specified family and medial reasons OR up to 16 weeks if you face multiple events in a year OR up to 18 weeks if you experience a serious health condition during pregnancy that results in incapacity. | Employees qualify for paid leave with a minimum of 820 hours from a Washington State Employer during the qualifying period, which is about the last year. Employees qualify for leave protection with a total of 12 months of work at Whatcom County and have worked at least 1,250 hours in the 12 consecutive months before leave begins. |
PFML Notice Refer to the PFML online resource to apply and for more information. |
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) / up to 12 workweeks of unpaid, job-protected leave in a 12-month period for specified family and medical reasons with continuation of group health benefits OR up to 26 workweeks of unpaid leave in a 12-month period to care for a covered service member with a serious injury or illness | Employees who have worked for Whatcom County a total of 12 months (need not be consecutive) and who have worked at least 1,250 hours in the 12 consecutive months before leave begins. | FMLA Notice Refer to FMLA online resource for more information |
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) / the right to temporary continuation of health benefits when coverage is lost due to certain events | Benefit Eligible Employees with Status Changes | Refer to COBRA online resource |
Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA) / protects the security and confidentiality of health care information and provides the ability to transfer and continue health insurance coverage | Benefit Eligible Employees | Notice of Privacy Practices |
Uniformed Services Employment & Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) / protects job rights for employees who take leave from work to perform military service | Military Employees | USERRA Notice |
Medicare Part D / helps cover the cost of prescription drugs | Benefit Eligible Employees and their Spouses 65 years and older | 2021 WCIF Med D Creditable Coverage Notice WSNA and IBU employees: Creditable Coverage for plan year 2022 |
Affordable Care Act (ACA) / provides affordable health care for all Americans |
County medical benefits and eligibility meet ACA requirements |
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Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) / premium assistance for those on Medicaid |
Unlikely to apply to County employees |