What You Need to Know Before Making Coronavirus Related Health Plan Updates

1 minute read

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, some public sector employers may be considering making changes to their group health plans. Before making any changes, employers should check with their agent/broker, health insurance carriers (for fully insured plans), and flexible spending accounts (FSA) vendors. In some cases, carriers may already be initiating some of these changes. Changes may include:

• Waiving certain eligibility requirements for those who are furloughed, laid off, or had hours reduced
• Allowing a High Deductible Health Plan to cover COVID-19 treatment and telehealth without a deductible
• Offering a special mid-year enrollment window for employees who didn’t elect coverage during the last enrollment period
• Allowing an FSA or HRA (health reimbursement arrangement) to reimburse over-the-counter drugs and feminine hygiene products

Contact your NIS Consultant if you’re thinking of making changes. For eligibility and plan changes, written approval may need to be obtained from the carrier. Plan documents may need to be reviewed and updated. Employers would need to communicate plan changes to their employees through a summary of material modifications. For those thinking about a special mid-year enrollment, tax rules for premium payments must be considered.

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This blog is intended to be a compilation of information and resources pulled from federal, state and local agencies. This is not intended to be legal advice. For up to the minute information and guidance on COVID-19, please follow the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and your local health organizations.