Covid-19

COVID-19 Updates that Effect Your Organization and Employees

UPDATES 5/15:

 

Carriers Provide Dental Premium Reduction

  • Horizon BCBSNJ Reduces Premiums by 25% for Fully Insured Commercial Dental Customers.
  • MetLife Offers 25% Dental PPO Premium Credit for Customers with Fully Insured PPO Plans for the Months of April and May, 2020.
  • Principal Provides 10% Dental Premium Credit for Months of June-October, 2020 for Employers with a Fully Insured Policy.

 

UPDATES 4/17:

  • Cigna Offers Expanded Emotional Support Available Now Through Sept. 30, 2020 Which Includes:
    • Increased free sessions with a licensed clinician in Cigna’s EAP network
    • Virtual meetings with counselors by phone, tablet or home computer

 

UPDATES 4/10:

- SBA provides updated Paycheck Protection Program Borrower Application Form

- NJ Gov. Murphy Signs Executive Order Granting Grace Periods for Insurance Premium Payments

- Independence Blue Cross Provides Instructions for Deferred Payment Plan for Customers with Fewer than 500 Employees

- Pennsylvania and New Jersey Offer Helpful COVID-19 Scenarios and Benefits Checklist.

 

UPDATES 4/3:

 

UPDATES 3/27:

Additional Resources

Coronavirus Employer Communication

Good employer communication from HR Department/Senior Leadership describing your company’s stance on COVID-19 and policies for your employees should include:

  • If you have recently traveled outside the US to one of the high-risk areas: currently defined by the CDC and World Health Organization (WHO) as China, South Korea, Japan, Italy, and Iran – it is required that you:
  • Work from home for 14 days following your return or potential exposure and inform your manager and Company Corporate HR team of your travel history immediately.
  • Do not visit any customers/prospects during those 14 days and declare recent travel to these high-risk areas before resuming your meetings.
  • Monitor your health condition closely by taking your temperature twice a day and seek medical treatment immediately if you feel unwell.
  • Remain symptom-free for the 14-day incubation period before returning to the office.

 

Remote Work Strategies

The emergence and spread of COVID-19 are causing more companies to operate partly or fully remote. Preparing for and moving your team members to be remote present a unique set of obstacles. Below are some strategies and best practices to help your team(s) transition to their new work environment and continue to communicate effectively and be productive.

  • Spell out goals and roles
  • Map skills and capacity
  • Emphasize Personal Interactions
  • Keep everyone in mind
  • Schedule regular meetings
  • Create the virtual “break room”
  • Humanize communications
  • Normalize new work environments

While COVID-19 may present obstacles for many facets of business, using strategies and communication practices like these, can help ease your team members transition period to continue accomplishing business goals.

Aetna offers EAP (Employee Assistance Program) for Free

Individuals and organizations who don’t have Resources for Living EAP can contact us at 1-833-327-AETNA (1-833-327-2386).

Liberalized services include:

  • In-the-moment phone support to help callers cope with the emotional impact of the event
  • Informational brochures about dealing with a crisis
  • Community resource referrals including local support services in the local area
  • Management consultation to help organizations respond to the needs of their employees, even if they’re not RFL customers

Carrier Responses

Many medical carriers have issued communication regarding how they plan to support members in the days and weeks ahead. Below is a summary of responses we have received.

Aetna

AmeriHealth New Jersey

Cigna

Horizon BCBSNJ

Independence Blue Cross

UnitedHealthcare

External Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Department of Labor (DOL)

World Health Organization (WHO)

United States Government

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Department of Health – State

Offices of Public Health – County

Pennsylvania

New Jersey

Employer Communication