We know there are many ongoing questions regarding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and how it impacts everything from your businesses, your employees and even your own families.
We will waive out of pocket costs for COVID-19 medical testing, diagnosis and treatment for our fully insured employer groups through the declared state of emergency and will also work with our self-funded customers who want to implement a similar approach, so that these members’ needs can also be met during this time of concern.
Please know that we are dedicated to understanding the most recent developments and we will share information with you as soon as we are able. Because this is a fast-changing event, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website continues to be the best resource for up-to-date information.
We are also in contact with local, state and federal health officials regarding regulations that remove cost barriers to care for members.
Please contact your broker or sales consultant for information specific to your business, and we will provide updates on this ever-changing situation.
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We’ve been by your side as our schools, favorite restaurants and places of employment closed to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Of course, we’ll be with you as our communities and businesses reopen.
While each region will open on a different timetable based on their ability to meet certain criteria, there are some guidelines we should all be practicing now, and in the future, to keep ourselves, our coworkers and our families safe. The following guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) since the pandemic began still holds true. Everyone should continue to:
As we head back to work, there’s no doubt things—and people—will look different. There are some additional things to remember.
Our new normal now includes covering our mouth and nose when out in public. Cloth face coverings can be fashioned from household items or made at home from common materials at low-cost, and should be used as a public health measure, beyond social distancing.
For small groups who require it, we’re providing up to a two-month grace period for premium payments. This extended payment period is not a complete waiver of payment, but it will allow you to delay your April and May payments until June 1, 2020, without negatively impacting your account standing or credit history.
If you believe this would be helpful to your business, please complete a hardship verification form:
Please return the form by April 30, 2020. If you have any questions or would like to discuss billing or alternative payment arrangements, please call 1-800-427-8490 and select option 1, or connect directly with your broker. Agents and brokers who procured a policy for an individual, small group, or student plan must also provide notice to the policyholder by April 21.
Univera Healthcare wants to ensure as many of our group members as possible can maintain their health insurance benefits. Through the national state of emergency, we are allowing mid-year plan changes to allow for lower cost employer and employee plans to accommodate the COVID-19 impacts on both parties.
Groups can allow their employees to switch to a lower cost existing plan or buy down to a lower cost plan. Additionally, employees who waived coverage and now want health insurance will be able to sign up for a plan through their group during our special open enrollment throughout the federal state of emergency.
Contact your broker or account representative if you would like to take advantage of any of these options or for more information on how we can help.
Small Business Administration COVID-19 Guidance and Loan Resources
During these uncertain and challenging times, our Univera Healthcare team is here to provide access to resources to help your business and employees. The Small Business Administration (SBA) has programs and initiatives in place as a result of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, passed on March 27, 2020 should your business need assistance.
These programs include:
For more information and to learn how to apply for one of these programs and other initiatives that may be able to provide assistance, visit the Small Business Administration’s website.
For all our members, we are making dedicated clinical staff available to address inquiries related to medical services, ensuring timeliness of responses related to COVID-19. We will also ensure that patient testing and any subsequently needed care are done in close coordination with federal, state and public health authorities.
For those groups who offer COBRA, all COBRA processing will be continuing as usual. To ensure employees receive the necessary paperwork to continue their benefits through COBRA in a timely manner, please submit your new COBRA qualified beneficiary information and/or terminations as you typically have through one of the following methods:
Employers: Download the Individual Coverage Options Beyond COBRA toolkit from UniveraforBusiness.com for a ready-to-send employee email and coverage options flyer.
The COVID-19 situation is rapidly evolving, and the Health Plan is in contact with local, state and federal health and other officials, and is implementing applicable orders, regulations and requirements as they become effective.
The FAQs provided below are specific to offering COBRA coverage to your members and any impacts on this benefit due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is our hope that these circumstances will be temporary, and that businesses will be able to return to normal operations soon. We will continue to update this information as the situation changes.Will Univera Healthcare be extending COBRA coverage beyond 18 months?
As of now, regulations have not changed regarding COBRA coverage time periods and we will be following existing guidelines, which in some cases may extend coverage up to 36 months. More information can be found on the Department of Financial Services’ (DFS) website
For those that typically process employee status changes through the Univera Healthcare system that are sent as a bulk daily file feed to LBS, the only options currently in the system are for “termination”. Please note, if an employee experiences a reduction of hours that make them no longer eligible for benefits, selecting “termination” through this process will have no impact on the timing or process of their COBRA benefits.
For those that typically use the LBS employer portal to submit employee status changes, there are a few event types, including reduction in hours and reduction in force, that the group or broker can choose.Unfortunately, at this time, we are unable to continue to offer COBRA coverage to COBRA qualified beneficiaries of businesses that are no longer active. We will continue to follow local, state and federal health officials’ guidance regarding this circumstance as information is made available.
We are actively working with groups who are experiencing changes to their eligibility in order to accommodate the coverage needs of our customers and community.
Can we differentiate traditional COBRA members from COVID-19 COBRA members?
As the COBRA administrator, LBS, bills the COBRA member directly, will there be an option for the group to be billed if the group chooses to pay either all or part of the COBRA premium?
LBS will continue to accept all forms of payment. Members can pay via check, through the LBS online COBRA portal via recurring ACH, via the LBS online COBRA portal via one-time credit card payment* or by calling the dedicated LBS customer service line at (800) 828-0078.
*The third-party vendor that LBS uses to process one-time credit card payments charges a $20.00 processing fee per single transaction. However, you can avoid this fee by (1) mailing a physical check, (2) establishing a recurring ACH payment online, or (3) by calling the LBS customer service department at (800) 828-0078. Dedicated LBS customer service representatives can process a one-time credit card payment for you over the phone at no additional cost.
What is the LBS non-payment cancellation policy and will exceptions be made due to COVID-19?
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