PBG COVID-19 Advisory Center - Precision Benefits Group

COVID-19 Updates that Effect Your Organization and Employees

UPDATES 5/15:

Agencies Extend Employee Benefit Plan Deadlines Providing Relief from Covid-19
The Newly Proposed $3T HEROES Act Could Bring Significant Changes to Employee Benefits.
As Reopening Begins and Employees Return, Use Our COVID-19 Returning to the Workplace Checklist to Guide Your Reopening.
IRS Provides Relief Options for FSAS and Dependent Care Assistance Programs (Notice 2020-29)
UnitedHealth Group to Provide Over $1.5 Billion in Assistance and Premium Support to Customers.
Horizon BCBSNJ Allows Small Employers who Offer One Plan to Downgrade their Plan Design Outside their Renewal Date through June 30, 2020. (For further details please contact us.)

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

AmeriHealth Provides Instructions for Deferred Payment Plan for Fully Insured Small Group and Large Group Customers.

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

Download IBC Deferred Payment Plan Agreement

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

UPDATES 4/3:

- Insurance Carriers Offering Payment Flexibility Options
- PPP application enrollment begins April 3, 2020.
- The Small Business Association (SBA) offers helpful resources.
- The Department of Labor FAQ offers a wealth of information about the Families First Coronavirus Act and the workplace.
- Federal Employee Rights - FFCRA Poster
- FSA and Dependent Care rules have been adjusted due to the Covid-19 crisis. Contact your provider for any specific questions.

UPDATES 3/27:

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) Stimulus Bill Becomes Law
SBA Disaster Loan Program
- SBA Disaster Assistance Resources for Businesses
- Three Step Process SBA Disaster_Loans
Philadelphia Small Business Relief Fund
The newly passed Families First Coronavirus Act (H.R.6201)
New IRS Guidance, Notice 2020-15, allows HDHPS to Cover Coronavirus Expenses Pre-Deductible
Aetna offers EAP (Employee Assistance Program) for free (See section below.)

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