2027 Open Enrollment Benefit Options and Elections

• 2027 ESF&R Annual Benefits Open Enrollment - Options and Elections 
•                                           November 1st - December 7th 

The Eastside Fire & Rescue Annual Benefits Open Enrollment season is under way.   Below is an outline of each benefit plan, and options to consider for the upcoming 2027 Plan Year.  Changes elected during Open Enrollment take effect on January 1, 2027.  Take time to review all benefit plan options outlined below before proceeding. Members who do not wish to make any plan changes in 2027 do not need to continue or take any action.   

When you are ready to make a change, click the APPLY Button to the right of this form to proceed to the Election Page. 

On the Election Page - enter your name, phone number and department email address. On the page you will find a list of benefit plan options to choose from.  Click YES to the elections you wish to make for 2027. (Or click No.)  When finished making elections, click SUBMIT. Once the elections are submitted, Human Resources will review all changes and send forms or paperwork to members through BAMBOO to initiate their change.  

Medical, Dental, BPAS VEBA Plan Options:

Eastside Fire will continue to provide employee and dependent coverage through the LEOFF Trust Medical Plan B and Delta Dental Plan.  HRA Annual Deposits continue as $2,000 for Single Enrollees and $4,000 for Employees with Dependents.  The new 2027 allotment of VEBA funds will be deposited into member Accounts by January 15, 2027.

1) During Open Enrollment, members may ADD or DELETE eligible dependents who may have been missed before,

    without needing a qualifying event. 

2) Eligible Union Members may choose to OPT OUT of the Medical Plan and receive half of their monthly premium

    deposited to their BPAS VEBA Account. Proof of other medical coverage is required to OPT Out.  

3) Eligible Union Members who currently OPT OUT of Medical and receive a VEBA contribution, may choose to re-enroll

    into the Medical Plan in 2027. 

Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Dependent Care Account (DCA) Options: 

1) Members may set up a Pre-TAX FSA or DCA account to pay for planned out of pocket medical and dependent care

    expenses.  The current annual IRS Maximum for an FSA is $3,400, and $5,000 per year for a DCA.  These amounts

    are projected to increase in 2027.  Additional details will be shared when the IRS confirms the increase.

2) For members currently enrolled in a 2026 FSA or DCA, their election and payroll deductions will cease at the end of

    the year.  A NEW election for 2027 will need to be requested for another FSA/DCA account to be set up in 2027.  

Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan (MERP) and Optional VEBA Deposit:

1) For Eligible Union Members - The Employer contributes $250 per month to each member's MERP Plan.

    During Open Enrollment, members may opt to have $175 of their MERP proceeds deposited into their VEBA Plan - 

   (Resulting in a $250 split of $75-MERP, $175-VEBA). 

2) Members currently set up with $175 going to their VEBA account, who wish to stay with VEBA in 2027, do not need

     to take any action.    

3) Members currently set up with $175 going to their VEBA account, who want to change and direct it towards their

     MERP plan, need to request the change through Open Enrollment. 

 Deferred Compensation 457b and 401a Options: 

1) COLA Increases in 2027 will increase every member's Employer Contribution towards their Randall Hurley or DRS

    VOYA DCP Accounts.  *** It is each employee's responsibility to contact their DCP Plan Agent and UPDATE their DCP

    Plans with new 2027 deferral elections.... by no later than December 15, 2026. 

2) Members must also provide PAYROLL with  a copy of their new 2027 DCP Plan choices and deferral elections.... by

    no later than December 15, 2026.

3) Payroll cannot set up new benefit elections in 2027 without confirmation of each member's chosen DCP Plans and

    salary deferrals for 2027.  DCP Plan Agent contact information will be provided with Open Enrollment materials. 

           If you are ready to elect changes described on this page, click the APPLY button and follow the prompts. 

           When through making elections, click the "Submit Application: button at the lower right side of the page.