4/29/20 | CVS’s MinuteClinic Expands Telehealth Offering
CVS Health announced that MinuteClinic, the company’s retail medical clinic, is now offering expanded telehealth options to help patients access non-emergency care.

4/7/20  |  CVS Opens Rapid COVID-19 Drive-Thru Testing Sites
CVS will begin operating drive-thru rapid COVID-19 testing sites for eligible individuals starting in Georgia, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Testing is available seven days a week at no charge to the public.

4/6/20  |  CVS Offers Pop-Up Pharmacy Support for Temporary COVID-19 Medical Monitoring Facility in New Orleans
CVS established a temporary pharmacy to support the medical monitoring facility inside the a New Orleans convention center. The move is part of a larger state plan to use the convention center as a 1,000 bed coronavirus facility designed to ease the strain on New Orleans-area hospitals preparing to treat an anticipated surge in COVID-19 patients.

4/3/20  |  Aetna Waives Costs for Coronavirus-Related Hospitalizations
Aetna will waive member cost-sharing for inpatient admissions at all in-network and out-of-network facilities for treatment of COVID-19 or health complications associated with COVID-19. This policy applies to all Aetna individual and group Medicare Advantage members and is effective March 25, 2020 for any such admission through June 1, 2020.

3/27/20  |  CVS Commits to Supporting Community and Employee Needs Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
CVS Health and its foundations are giving more than $1 million in new investments to address food insecurity and other community needs in response to ongoing challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. The CVS Health Foundation will also match up to $1 million in employee contributions to the CVS Health Employee Relief Fund, a public charity supporting colleagues during unanticipated and unavoidable financial hardships and emergencies. The fund will make $1,000 grants available to employees to address qualifying emergency needs related to the pandemic.

3/25/20  |  Pharmacies Set policies to Stop U.S. Hoarding of Potential Coronavirus Treatments
CVS and Express Scripts are putting in place measures to prevent hoarding of the malaria drug, hydroxychloroquine, and other treatments being tried against the new coronavirus.

CVS/Aetna to waive cost sharing for coronavirus-related inpatient care
Aetna is waiving cost-sharing and co-payments for in-network patient admissions related to the coronavirus outbreak. With its move, Aetna became the first major insurer to voluntarily forego costs connected to the COVID-19 pandemic.

3/24/20  |  Frequently Asked Questions on Coverage, Member Support and Prescription Drugs
How Aetna and CVS are handling COVID-19 testing and treatment coverage, including for self-insured plans.

3/20/20  |  Enhanced telemedicine offerings and waived cost-sharing for COVID-19 testing and prescription delivery
Aetna is offering a $0 copay for telemedicine visits until June 4, 2020. In addition, they have waived copays for all COVID-19 testing. If a member is diagnosed, they have pledged to send care package. On the pharmacy side, CVS announced that there is no fee for home delivery of prescription medications from CVS.

3/23/20  |  Covid-19 Frequently Asked Questions
How Aflac is handling disability claims and benefit coverage questions.

3/17/2020  |  Amertitas Extending Dental & Vision Premium Grace Period
Ameritas is extending its premium grace period to 60 days while continuing coverage and claims payment. They will adhere to any state-mandated premium grace periods as a temporary exception to its policy for the time being.

5/4/20 | NAMI Partners with Anthem Combat Social Isolation During National Mental Health Month
NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is launching the “You are Not Alone” awareness campaign for Mental Health Month during May in partnership with Anthem. NAMI’s national campaign focuses on the power of connection, given that many Americans are struggling with the effects of physical distancing, including social isolation, depression, and anxiety.

4/29/20 | Anthem Provides Nationwide Coordinated Response to COVID-19
Anthem is now providing no-cost access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP) informational resources for 90 days to those members who do not already have access; resources targeting social isolation, job loss, food insecurity and stress as well as flexibility with regard to premium payments to eligible employer groups.

4/7/20  | Anthem Announces Social Determinants of Health and EAP Resources
Anthem is rolling out a mental health resource hub, Mental Health Resource Hub, a partnership with community resource locator, Aunt Bertha, and additional Employee Assistance program (EAP) resources.

4/1/20  |  Anthem to Waive COVID-19 Treatment Cost-Sharing through May
The insurer will reimburse healthcare providers at in-network or Medicare rates for fully-insured, individual, Medicaid and Medicare Advantage members. It also encouraged self-insured employers to do the same. The nation’s second-largest health insurer, which operates Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in 14 states, followed similar announcements made by Cigna, Humana and UHC.

3/24/20  |  Anthem’s New Symptom Assessment Tool
Anthem created a tool based on CDC recommendations to help individuals better assess whether they may have contracted COVID-19.

How Anthem Benefits Will Work: Testing, Treatment and Medications
How Anthem is handling COVID-19 frequently asked questions from employers: what it is, how to prevent it, and what Anthem benefits cover.

3/20/20  |  Anthem’s Increased Telemedicine benefits, Coverage of COVID-19 testing and Early Prescription Refills
The Syndney Care mobile app can be used to evaluate symptoms and schedule virtual doctor’s visits at no extra cost through June 14, 2020. COVID-19 testing is covered and members can refill their prescription medication early.

3/25/20  |  Ancillary Coverages and Novel Coronavirus Frequently Asked Questions
BCBS of IL answers questions on ancillary benefit coverage.

3/19/20  |  Blue Cross and Blue Shield Companies Announce Expanded Coverage of Telehealth Services for Fully-Insured Members
All 36 independently-operated BCBS companies and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program® (FEP®) are expanding coverage for telehealth services for the next 90 days. The expanded coverage includes waiving cost-sharing for telehealth services for fully-insured members and applies to in network telehealth providers who are providing appropriate medical services.

5/4/20 | Blue Cross Blue Shield Of Arizona Creates Prepayment Program For Primary Care Providers
Participating Primary Care Providers (PCPs) can now receive partial prepayment of their estimated annual quality incentive payment to help cover monetary shortfalls plaguing the PCP community.

4/2/20  |  Blue Cross Blue Shield Of Arizona Waives Cost Sharing For COVID-19 Treatment
BCBSAZ will waive cost sharing for members who receive care for COVID-19 related treatment from in-network providers through May 2020. This will apply to fully-insured groups, individual policies, and Medicare members. Many BCBSAZ self-funded employer customers have expressed interest in waiving cost shares for their employees for COVID-19 treatment, and BCBSAZ is making this option available to them as well.

5/8/20 | Blue Cross Blue Shield Of Michigan To Waive Cost-Sharing For Medicare Advantage Members
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network of Michigan will waive cost-sharing for Medicare Advantage members through December 31 for certain specific services that enable seniors to consult with their doctors and therapists about their health needs, both in-person and virtually.

4/3/20 | Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island Waives Member Cost-Sharing for COVID-19 Treatment
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) is temporarily waiving member cost-sharing (copays, coinsurance and deductibles) for any treatments related to COVID-19.

4/2/20 | Blue Cross of Idaho Expands Coverage to Include all Treatment for COVID-19 
Blue Cross of Idaho will waive all cost-sharing for testing and treatment of COVID-19 for individual, fully insured and Medicare Advantage members.

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3/30/20 | Blue Cross of Idaho Creates New Cash Advance Program to Support Independent Physicians
Blue Cross of Idaho created a new program to support independent healthcare providers across the state. The new program will allow independent providers, such as private-practice physician groups, an opportunity to receive advance payments to cover monetary shortfalls due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

4/10/20 | Blue Shield of California Expands Mental Health Services Via Telehealth, Waives Cost-Sharing For Teladoc
Telebehavioral health sessions conducted during the COVID-19 period are covered in the same way in-person visits are covered, regardless of whether members previously utilized telehealth or if their plan explicitly includes telehealth provisions. Member cost sharing for Teladoc telehealth services has also been eliminated through May 31.

4/6/20 | Blue Shield of California Offers Financial Support to Healthcare Providers in Response to COVID-19 Crisis
Blue Shield of California is working with financial service partners to provide up to $200 million in direct support to healthcare providers and hospitals through financing guarantees, advance payments and restructuring of contracts. This cash infusion will support health professionals dealing with the pressures of the coronavirus pandemic.

6/1/20 | Cigna Eliminates Cost-Sharing For COVID-19 and Non-COVID-19 Care
Cigna announced it is eliminating cost-sharing for all in-person and virtual primary care, specialty care, and behavioral health care visits for COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 care. The expanded cost-relief measures apply to Cigna’s Medicare Advantage (MA), individual, and family plans.

5/7/20 | Express Scripts Offers Prescription Cost Relief For Newly Uninsured
Express Scripts today announced a new program to ensure Americans can continue to afford their prescription medications during the COVID-19 pandemic. Any American who loses healthcare coverage as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic can use Express Scripts Parachute RxSM to secure many of their medications at affordable and predictable prices.

5/6/20 | Cigna Takes Action to Protect Against Suprise Medical Bills
Cigna is launching a COVID-19 Customer Protection Program to further safeguard its customers from unexpected costs for COVID-19 care through “surprise” or “balance” bills from out-of-network health care providers. Cigna customers will not pay out-of-pocket costs for COVID-19 related care delivered by an in-network provider anywhere – whether at an office, an urgent care center, emergency room or through virtual care.

 

4/28/20 | Cigna Foundation and New York Life Foundation Launch Fund To Support Healthcare Workers
The Cigna Foundation and New York Life Foundation launched the Brave of Heart Fund to provide monetary grants to survivors of front-line U.S. healthcare workers who give their lives in the fight against COVID-19. The Cigna Foundation and the New York Life Foundation are each making initial contributions of $25 million to seed the Fund.

4/14/20  | Cigna Launches Dental Virtual Care
To make it easier for customers to access an emergency dental consult during the COVID-19 pandemic, Cigna announced it is launching teledentistry services.

Dental virtual care will be available through Cigna’s growing network of dental providers who offer teledentistry. The company is also partnering with The TeleDentists, a national virtual care dental provider with more than 300 dentists. Through a video consultation, licensed dentists can triage urgent situations such as pain, infection, and swelling and guide the customer on next steps. If necessary, the dentist will prescribe medications, such as antibiotics and non-narcotic pain relievers.

Cigna Dental Virtual Care will be available this month to over 16 million dental customers enrolled in Cigna’s employer-sponsored insurance plans at no cost through May 31, 2020. The service will continue post-pandemic, subject to state regulations and benefit plan design.

4/13/20  | Cigna Takes Action to Support Social Connections for Seniors During COVID-19 Pandemic
In alignment with ongoing efforts to raise awareness about loneliness and its impact on health and well-being, Cigna is launching a pilot program to increase social connectivity among its Medicare Advantage (MA) customers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

4/9/20  | Cigna Helps Accelerate Research for COVID-19 Treatment
To accelerate research for a COVID-19, Cigna is providing medications to Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis to initiate a clinical trial that will evaluate antimalarial and antibiotic treatments for COVID-19.

4/3/20  |  Cigna and Express Scripts Partner with Buoy Health to Offer Digital Screening Tools
Cigna and Express Scripts are working with Buoy Health–an AI-powered health assistant that helps people figure out what to do when they are sick–to provide an early intervention screening tool to help customers and members understand their personal risks for COVID-19. The digital tool triages symptoms and recommends next steps for care.

4/3/20  |  Express Scripts Enables Access to Digital Health Program
Express Scripts is working with SilverCloud Health to make their digital mental health platform available to clients and their members at no cost.

3/30/20  |  Cigna Waives Customer Cost-Sharing for All COVID-19 Treatment
Cigna is waiving out-of-pocket costs related to COVID-19 treatment and deploying hundreds of Cigna doctors and nurse practitioners to support the medical community and support customers.

3/20/20  |  Cigna’s Response to COVID-19 Testing
Through May 31, Cigna will waive out-of-pocket costs for COVID-19 testing-related visits and will ensure on-time delivery of prescription medications, which is a different approach than other insurers opting to let members refill their medications early.

4/27/20 | Frequently Asked Questions
How Colonial Life is handling coverage, claims, impact on interruption questions.

3/24/2020  |  Companion Life Extending Grace Period for Remitting Premium Payments
Companion Life clarifies their coverage and claims for those impacted by COVID-19, including an adjustment of their grace period for remitting premium payments.

3/24/2020  |  Delta Dental Community Care Foundation Announces $5 Million in Funding for COVID-19 Response
The Delta Dental Community Care Foundation announced that it is making $5 million in funding available to organizations across its 15-state service area that are at the forefront of helping the communities most impacted by COVID-19. Funds will support a variety of response activities for at risk populations.

3/24/20  |  Equitable Clarifies that Pandemics are a Nonexclusion
Equitable answers questions around claims and coverage for its ancillary products.

4/2/20  |  Florida Blue Waives Cost-Sharing for COVID-19 Treatment
Through June 1, the COVID-19 test is $0 for all members and Florida Blue is waiving cost-sharing for the treatment of those with a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, including in-patient and observation hospital admissions.

3/18/20  |  Florida Blue Increases Member Access to Teladoc
Florida Blue is adding no-cost access to virtual care provider, Teladoc, for seniors and others on its Medicare Advantage plans. It’s also waiving the virtual care copay for many commercial and Affordable Care Act members to encourage use of Teladoc if it is offered as part of their plan.

5/18/20 | Guardian Life Introduces Term Life Insurance with a Built-in Benefit for Charity

Guardian announced a built-in Charitable Benefit rider which allows those who are charitable-minded to support their charity of choice upon their death.

4/30/20 | Guardian Offers Advance Claims Payments To Dentists
To support dentists whose practices have been impacted by the pandemic, Guardian Life has introduced a dental claims advance payment program for eligible dentists in its network, and expanded access to its WorkLifeMatters employee assistance program at no cost.

4/21/20 | Guardian Offers Supports For Its Small Business Owners And Their Employees
Guardian has extended access to its WorkLifeMatters employee assistance program to serve nearly 90,000 small business owners and their 2.3 million employees. As part of the service, the company launched the Small Business Covid-19 Action Center, in partnership with Integrated Behavioral Health (IBH), to help its customers navigate the ongoing health crisis.

3/30/20  |  Guardian Commits $500,000 to Help Americans Coping with the Coronavirus Pandemic
Guardian Life is committing $500,000 to help Americans locally and nationally impacted by coronavirus, including donations to Feeding America, local impact funds as well as corporate matching to employee donations.

3/24/20  |  Guardian’s Response to Claims, Coverage and Eligibility Questions During COVID-19
How Guardian is handling coverage, eligibility, claims and billing questions on its ancillary plans.

4/29/20  | HCSC Waives Cost-Sharing of COVID-19 Testing and Treatment
HCSC is covering testing and treatment related to COVID-19, including telehealth visits, for all of its plan members.

4/20/20  | HCSC Increases Access To Providers Amid COVID-19
Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) is supporting providers and making it easier for patients to receive care by waiving prior authorization requirements for diagnostic tests and testing-related services for COVID-19, and temporarily removing prior authorization for in-network post-acute facility transfers to help expand health system and provider capacity, among other actions.

4/2/20  |  HCSC Waives Member Cost-Sharing for COVID-19 Treatment
Health Care Service Corporation is waiving member cost-sharing, including deductibles, copayments and coinsurance related to treatment for COVID-19 through May 31. 2020. The waiver applies to costs associated with COVID-19 treatment at in-network facilities and treatment for out-of-network emergencies.

4/1/20  |  Health Care Service Corporation Launches Special Enrollment Period for Some Employers
For the month of April, HCSC will offer a special open enrollment period for its fully-insured group customers who did not opt in for coverage during the regular enrollment period.

4/8/20  | Highmark Assists Primary Care Physicians with Advanced Payment
Highmark announced that it will assist local primary care physicians financially stifled by stay-at-home orders and other COVID-19 related issues by advancing payments made through the True Performance reimbursement program. The reimbursement payments would have been made in June, but will begin going out the week of April 6.

4/2/20  |  Highmark Waives Costs for Coronavirus Treatment
Highmark waived out-of-pocket costs related inpatient hospitalization following a positive COVID-19 test at on-network facilities.

4/2/20  |  Horizon BCBS of NJ to Waive Cost Sharing Requirements Related to the Coronavirus
Effective immediately for all fully-insured members, Horizon BCBSNJ is waiving cost-sharing obligations for all services associated with the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19.

5/5/20 | Humana to Waive Cost-Sharing For Medicare Advantage Members
Humana is now waiving all cost sharing—including copays, coinsurance, and deductibles—for in-network primary care, behavioral health and telehealth visits for its Medicare Advantage members through the remainder of the calendar year.

4/2/20  |  Humana Speeds Claims Processing and Suspends Prior Authorization Requirements

3/30/20  |  Humana to Waive Medical Costs Related to Coronavirus Treatment
Humana is waiving consumer costs for treatment related to COVID-19-covered services. Costs related to subsequent treatment for COVID-19—including inpatient hospital admissions— will be waived for enrollees of Medicare Advantage plans, fully-insured commercial members, Medicare Supplement and Medicaid.

3/26/20  |  Humana Works to Increase Capacity for Coronavirus Treatment
To prepare for the influx of patients who will need to be treated for coronavirus, Humana is taking steps to make it easier for members and health systems, specifically lifting administrative requirements for the care of all members infected with coronavirus and for all patients in settings where capacity is stretched by the needs of those infected by coronavirus allowing for unencumbered movement from inpatient hospitals to safe, medically appropriate post-acute care settings, including home health, long-term acute care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, etc.

3/24/20  |  Coronavirus Assessment Tool
Humana created an assessment tool for those that may have been exposed to COVID-19 or are experiencing symptoms to learn more about next steps for care.

Humana FAQs on Medical and Prescription Drug Coverage
How Humana is handling testing, treatment and telemedicine coverage related to COVID-19.

3/20/20  |  Humana’s Coverage of COVID-19 Testing, Telemedicine and Prescription Medications
Humana is fully covering COVID-19 testing, telemedicine visits for all urgent care needs and for the next 30 days, early prescription refills.

 

4/17/20 | Kaiser Expands Nationwide Food Assistance Program
Food for Life, a Kaiser Permanente program that addresses food insecurity to help people access and afford healthy food, is expanding its text message outreach to help members apply for food benefits.

4/8/20 | Pandemic-Readiness Training for LVNs/LPNs for COVID-19 Surge 
Futuro Health, a California-based nonprofit established by Kaiser Permanente and the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW) to address the nation’s allied health worker shortage, announced it has expanded its education offerings to prepare front-line health care workers for an expected surge in COVID-19 cases, committing $1 million to launch a new pandemic-readiness program.

4/3/20  |  Member Costs Waived for COVID-19 Treatment
Kaiser Permanente will waive all member out-of-pocket costs for inpatient and outpatient services related to the treatment of COVID-19, as of April 1, 2020.

4/2/20  |  Kaiser Offers Mental Health App to Members
Kaiser Permanente is adding the digital mental health app myStrength to its portfolio of self-care tips and tool at no cost.

3/27/20  |  Ensuring Access to Medications Potentially Able to Treat Coronavirus
There is currently a global shortage of certain medications that were identified as having a potential beneficial impact in the treatment of some severely sick COVID-19 patients. These medications are also commonly used to treat patients with lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and malaria. Kaiser Permanente is taking steps to ensure there is adequate supply to meet the existing needs of patients who are taking these medications, and also ensure access for severely sick patients hospitalized with COVID-19 infections.

3/25/20  |  Kaiser Develops National Donation Network to Deliver Medical Supplies to Healthcare Providers
Kaiser Permanente is working to secure the necessary personal protective equipment and other critical supplies to safeguard employees and physicians in medical centers.

4/21/20 | Lincoln Financial Group Announces Steps to Support Customers Experiencing COVID-19-Related Financial Challenges
Lincoln Financial is providing relief for retirement savers, flexibility for policyholders. Specifically, Lincoln is continuing coverage for employees whose job status has been impacted by COVID-19 until September 30, 2020, or longer if the policy language is more generous, as long as the premium is paid by the employer. Lincoln is also extending the standard premium payment grace period on its group insurance policies and service agreements through September 30, 2020. For employers with fewer than 500 employees who are up for renewal this summer, Lincoln will hold in-force rates into 2021.

 

4/14/20  | Joint Industry Effort to Keep People Employed During COVID-19 Crisis
In partnership with Accenture, ServiceNow and Verizon, Lincoln Financial Group formed People + Work Connect, an employer-to-employer initiative that brings together companies laying off or furloughing people with those companies in urgent need of workers.

3/26/20  |  Lincoln’s Response to Coverage, Claims and Eligibility Questions
Lincoln lays out its policies around disability coverage, including regulatory compliance and what self-funded clients should know.

3/20/20  |  Lincoln Financial Donates $1 Million to Food Providers in Its Local Communities
Lincoln Financial is donating $1 million to food providers in its local communities to help address the rising demand on their services as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly 30 organizations across 11 cities will see increased support.

5/11/20 | MetLife’s In-House Clinicians Join The Frontlines Against COVID-19
MetLife is offering paid voluntary leave to its licensed healthcare workers who join the fight against COVID-19. MetLife medical professionals who volunteer will be deployed in two-week rotations to hospitals and other healthcare facilities in locations across the country.

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4/28/20 | More Than Half of Employees Cite Financial Health as Biggest Concern Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic

More than half (52 percent) of U.S. employees are most concerned with their financial health in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic, MetLife’s 18th annual U.S. Employee Benefit Trends Study found. Employees are more concerned about their finances than any other aspect of their well-being, including physical (44 percent), mental (44 percent) and social health (44 percent).

3/31/20  |  MetLife Foundation Committs $25 Million to Global COVID-19 Response
MetLife Foundation is committing $25 million to support communities impacted by the pandemic. The grant funding from MetLife Foundation will span all regions where MetLife operates, and will address both short- and longer-term relief efforts.

3/23/20  |  COVID-19 U.S. Customer Update
A customer service update from MetLife, including how federal leave legislation impacts clients, and answers to claims and coverage questions.

3/17/20  |  MetLife Foundation To Donate $1 Million to U.S. Food Banks To Help Those Impacted by Coronavirus
MetLife Foundation is donating $1 million to food banks across the U.S. to help them deal with increased demand for their services as a result of coronavirus

3/23/2020  |  Mutual of Omaha Group Insurance Policy FAQs
How Mutual of Omaha is handling disability claims, leave services and other voluntary benefit coverage questions.

3/23/20  |  Prudential Donates Respirators and Face Masks in Response to COVID-19
Prudential Financial has donated 153,000 face masks—including 75,000 n95 respirators—for healthcare workers in New Jersey and committed $1.5 million in funding for local businesses and community support, both in the U.S. and internationally.

3/20/20  |  Prudential’s New Customer Service Offering
Prudential created a direct line for questions on COVID-19 ( 800-556-8527)

3/31/20  |  The Standard Defers Rate Increases for Small Business Customers
Standard Insurance Company announced that it will hold benefit plan rates stable for all groups up to 500 employees with renewal dates of May, June and July 2020.

3/24/20  |  Standard Insurance Company’s COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions
How The Standard is responding to questions on coverage and claims, with a specific section on New York paid quarantine leave benefits.

3/31/20  |  Sun Life Offers Free Virtual Healthcare Services
Sun Life is rolling out access to a virtual healthcare clinic for its group benefits clients with an Extended Health Care (EHC) benefit for no cost.

3/30/20  |  Sun Life to Donate $1 Million to Support Communities Impacted by the Coronavirus Pandemic
Over the coming weeks and months, Sun Life will provide financial aid to charities in the markets in which they operate. Support will be provided to organizations addressing urgent health concerns, with a focus on support for at-risk populations such as the elderly, and access to food through local food banks.

3/23/20  |  Stop Loss FAQ
How SunLife is responding to clients regarding stop-loss reimbursements and premium grace period flexibility.

3/30/20  |  Symetra Explains Coverage Questions Related to COVID-19
Symetra explains how it will cover employees who lose their group coverage as well as how to qualify for disability, paid family leave and group life benefits.

3/24/2020  |  The Hartford to Suspend Policy Cancellations Due to Non-Payment of Premiums
The Hartford is monitoring legislative change and changing their billing flexibility. Until June 1st 2020, in an effort to support Group Benefits policyholders, they will temporarily suspend policy cancellations due to non-payment of premiums for payments due for February, March and April 2020.

3/30/20  |  Trustmark Clarifies COVID-19 Coverage for Self and Fully-Insured Plans
Trustmark released updated coverage information, clarifying that whether a major medical plan is a self-funded group health plan sponsored by an employer or is fully insured by Trustmark Insurance Company, benefits will be paid to comply with all applicable federal and state laws. Coverage will be provided for COVID-19 testing, testing-related visits and certain preventive services recommended by designated federal agencies.

4/15/20 | UHG CEO To Take Leave of Absence to Co-Lead COVID-19 Vaccine Effort 
UnitedHealth Group announced that Sir Andrew Witty, president of UnitedHealth Group and CEO of Optum, has been asked to co-lead a global effort of the World Health Organization (WHO), in partnership with key stakeholders, to accelerate the development of a COVID-19 vaccine. Witty will be on a leave of absence from UnitedHealth Group while leading the initiative and will return to the company at approximately year end.

UHG Doesn’t Feel Financial Impact of COVID-19 in Q1
The effects of the public health crisis on UnitedHealth Group in Q1 were limited, as cases in the US began meaningfully rising at the end of the quarter. In addition, deferred elective, non-urgent hospital visits have so far offset the costs of COVID-19. UnitedHealth’s revenue for the three months of 2020 grew 6.8% year over year to $64.4 billion, temporarily keeping its 2020 profit projections stable. The health insurer expects commercial group membership to shrink as employers furlough and lay off workers. On the other hand, UHC could see membership increases in its individual and Medicaid health plans as those laid off workers look for coverage elsewhere.

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4/10/20 | UnitedHealth Group To Assist HHS Under the CARES Act

UnitedHealth Group will assist the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in distributing an initial $30 billion in emergency funding to healthcare providers seeking assistance under the CARES Act.

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3/31/20  |  UHC to Waive Cost-Sharing for Non-Coronavirus Telehealth Visits
UnitedHealthcare is waiving member cost-sharing for the treatment of COVID-19 through May 31, 2020 for its fully-insured commercial, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid plans. Starting March 31, 2020 until June 18, 2020, UnitedHealthcare will now also waive cost-sharing for in-network, non-COVID-19 telehealth visits for its fully-insured commercial, Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid members. They will also work with self-funded customers who want to implement a similar approach.

3/30/20  |  UnitedHealthcare Expands Access to Telehealth Benefits
UHC members may be able to leverage a telehealth visit for continued physical, occupational or speech therapies. This expanded telehealth access is available until June 18, 2020.

3/26/20  |  UnitedHealth Group Commits $50 Million Investment to Fight COVID-19
UnitedHealth Group commits an initial investment of $50 million to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and support those most directly impacted by the public health emergency, including healthcare workers, hard-hit states, seniors and people experiencing food insecurity or homelessness.

United Health Group Launches Self-Swab COVID-19 Test
In an effort to protect healthcare workers from becoming infected with COVID-19, UHG is offering a COVID-19 swab test supported by the FDA that patients can use themselves. So far, the swab test, which patients administer and then hand off to a health worker, has been deployed in Seattle, but UnitedHealth plans to expand it across the nation.

3/24/2020  |  UnitedHealthcare Offers Special Enrollment and Reduces Administrative Requirements to Improve Access to Care and Coverage in Response to COVID-19
UnitedHealthcare launches a special enrollment period for some of its existing commercial customers, reduces prior authorization requirements for providers and expands telehealth

4/16/20 | Voya Financial Launches New HSA Digital Assistant
Voya launched a new digital assistant — myHealthMoney — to help workers make more informed decisions when deciding how much to contribute to their Voya health savings account (HSA). The myHealthMoney digital assistant will be available to any participant who has a Voya HSA, including Voya Retirement plan participants who also have a Voya HSA.

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4/1/20  |  Voya to Credit Members in Defined Contribution Plans for Costs Related to COVID-19
Beginning April 1 through September 30, 2020, Voya will credit back to participants in its defined contribution plans fees associated with coronavirus-related distributions allowed under the CARES Act, hardship distribution fees and loan initiation fees.

3/24/2020  |  Accident Fund Provides FAQs for COVID-19 Matters
Accident Fund provides clients with FAQs when it comes to claims and loss control visits. They also cover how they are handling their process with COVID-19.

4/14/20 | Aflac Incorporated Donates $5 Million as Part of Company’s Overall COVID-19 Pandemic Response
Aflac Incorporated contributing $5 million to Global Center for Medical Innovation and Direct Relief, two organizations that are providing assistance for health care workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 global pandemic.

3/10/20  |  Frequently Asked Questions regarding Coronavirus and Travel Insurance
How AIG is handling travel insurance coverage questions.

3/20/20  |  Allianz’s New Emergency Medicare Care Benefit
Although not covered under most plans, Allianz is currently accommodating claims for Emergency Medical Care Benefit (Emergency medical care for a customer who becomes ill with COVID-19 while on their trip) and Trip Cancellation or Trip Interruption Benefits (trip cancellation and trip interruption if a customer becomes ill with COVID-19 either before or during their trip)

4/8/20 | Allstate covers personal delivery vehicles and provides financial relief in response to COVID-19
Allstate will automatically cover customers who use their personal vehicles to deliver food, medicine and other goods for a commercial purpose. Allstate also announced a special payment to give auto and homeowners policyholders the choice to delay two consecutive premium payments with no penalty. In addition, Allstate is pausing policy cancellations due to nonpayment during the state of emergency.

3/20/20  |  Lloyd’s Syndicates now Trading Remotely
Lloyd’s of London has closed their underwriting room; therefore, Syndicate underwriters will be trading remotely and will either utilize PPL as the main placement method or revert to the Lloyd’s Emergency Trading Protocol, which has been distributed by Lloyd’s recently.

4/1/20  |  COVID-19: AXA strengthens its commitments to tackle an unprecedented health, economic and social challenge
AXA has donated 200 million euros to support small businesses and the self-employed in France. This is in addition to AXA partner association donation of 10 million euros to support clients experiencing economic difficulties. AXA has also donated 2 million masks and 5 million euros to fund research on infectious diseases, including COVID-19.

4/8/20 | AXIS Insurance provides financial relief to customers affected by COVID-19
AXIS is offering many options to policyholders including premium payment grace periods and suspension of policy cancellation and nonrenewal.

4/22/20 | Beazley estimates $170 million in coronavirus claims 
Beazley estimates coronavirus-related claims at $170 million and is rejecting claims from small companies for business interruption in the crisis, while also reporting a $55 million loss in the first quarter due to this year’s selloff in financial markets. Beazley expects the cost of the pandemic across the political, accident and contingency division, which includes event cancellation, personal accident and accident and health, to be around $70 million net of reinsurance.

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4/2/20  |  Beazley Implements 60-day Premium Pause
To support those impacted by the coronavirus, effective March 23rd, Beazley has implemented a 60 day freeze on cancellation and nonrenewal notices for non-payment of premium and we will not be issuing late fees to clients during that time.

4/29/20 | Chubb Announces Grants to Feeding America and The Rockefeller University as Part of its Commitment to Global Pandemic Relief Efforts
Chubb announced two additional grants as part of its commitment to pandemic relief efforts globally, including $1.5 million to Feeding America and $1 million to The Rockefeller University.

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4/15/20 | Chubb to Host Three-Day Virtual Insurance and Risk Management Conference to Connect with Clients, Brokers and Agents
With many risk management conferences and events being cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Chubb is leveraging technology to support close communication, collaboration and partnership with clients, brokers and agents. The company is hosting a virtual conference May 4-6, 2020 to unite Chubb professionals, including its senior executives, with customers for three days of WebEx-enabled private meetings.

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4/13/20 | Chubb Announces Small Business Support Program
Chubb’s U.S. small business clients whose policies renew between April 1 and August 1, 2020 will receive an automatic 25% reduction in the sales and payroll exposures used to calculate their premium as well as a 15% reduction in premiums for their commercial auto insurance.

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4/5/20  |  Chubb Commits $10 Million to Pandemic Relief Efforts Globally; Company Pledges No COVID-19 Layoffs
Chubb is committing $10 million to pandemic relief efforts globally. Separately, the company announced that it will not conduct any layoffs of Chubb employees while in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic health crisis.

3/30/20  |  Support for Policyholders
Until June 1, 2020, CNA will be suspending all policy cancellations for nonpayment, waiving all late fees and continuing regular premium billing.

3/24/20  |  EMC Suspends On-site Inspections
EMC Insurance Companies have suspended all on-site inspections, premium audit visit and stop loss control services.

4/6/20  |  Grange Suspends Policy Cancellation
Grange Insurance is suspending all Nonpayment Policy Cancellations due to COVID-19 until May 29, 2020.

3/20/20  |  Grange Insurance now Offering Extension for Premium Payments and Renewals
In an effort to provide a short-term market solution to ease pain points around premium payments and renewals, Grange is suspending cancellations of policies due to nonpayment of premium, and will not issue late pay notices or charge late fees. While this extension is not a waiver of premium payments, it intends to demonstrate insurers’ willingness to provide financial relief around premium payments.

4/8/20 |  Hiscox Withdraws 2020 Financial Guidance, Cancels Dividend Payment on COVID Crisis
Hiscox Ltd. is withdrawing all financial guidance for 2020 as a result of the uncertainties connected to the coronavirus crisis. In addition, it is canceling a scheduled dividend and will not conduct any share buybacks.

4/15/20  | Liberty Mutual Insurance Commits $15 Million in Crisis Grants to Community Partners
Liberty Mutual Insurance will commit $10 million in additional grants to help Boston-based organizations on the front lines of treating those who are ill and stopping the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). The support also helps provide food and shelter to the most vulnerable populations that have been impacted by the pandemic, including low-income residents and those experiencing homelessness.

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4/7/20  |  Liberty Mutual Insurance Announces Personal Auto Customer Relief Refund to Help Customers During Pandemic
Liberty Mutual Insurance established a Personal Auto Customer Relief Refund, which gives personal auto insurance customers a 15% refund on two months of their annual premium. This returns approximately $250 million to Liberty Mutual and Safeco personal auto insurance customers and builds on other customer support, including flexible payment options and delivery coverage expansion for auto policies.

3/24/20  |  Changes to Auto & Property Claims Process to Protect Customers and Employees
Liberty Mutual as stopped all in-home damage inspections except in emergency situations and will do in-home inspections through RealTime Review video chat. Adjusters will continue to do outside property inspections outside the home with customer permission. Claims Valet service will be suspended until further notice.

4/10/20 | MetLife Provides Relief to Auto Insurance Customers 
MetLife Auto & Home is providing financial relief with premium credit, preserving coverage in the event of missed payments, and processing claims remotely to ensure social distancing.

4/29/20 | Nationwide accelerates technology solutions to help independent agents navigate the new normal
Nationwide is working with agents to create customized Nationwide Express websites for their agencies, which they can use to reach and sell to customers during social distancing 24/7.

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4/15/20  | Agents have options to help Nationwide policyholders in the wake of COVID-19
Nationwide is taking several actions to help agents meet customer needs during a very challenging time, including mid-term changes and adjustments to restaurant and retailer exposures and billing.

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4/9/20  |  Nationwide provides COVID-19 auto premium relief—$50 rapid relief premium refund for personal lines auto customers
Nationwide will offer a one-time premium refund of $50 per policy for personal auto policies active as of March 31, 2020. The refund will arrive in the next 30 days, subject to individual state regulatory approval.

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4/3/20  |  Fee waiver, accelerated process among actions Nationwide taking for retirement plan participants
Nationwide will waive or reimburse any Nationwide-imposed fees for loan initiation, distribution or hardship withdrawals for individuals seeking to access their retirement saving to help get them through the COVID-19 pandemic. For those participants in plans who adopt these provisions and are impacted by the CARES Act, the fee waiver is effective from March 27, 2020 through September 30, 2020.

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3/24/2020  |  Nationwide Foundation contributing $5 million and medical supplies for coronavirus relief
To provide support for COVID-19 disaster response, the Nationwide Foundation is making $5 million in contributions to local and national charities to support pandemic response efforts. Additional donations of medical supplies, including masks and surgical gloves, were provided to hospitals in Ohio and Iowa.

3/25/20  |  QBE North America Donates 95,000 3M Masks to US Hospitals to Aid in Battle Against COVID-19
QBE North America is supporting healthcare workers in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic by donating 95,000 3M standard ear loop face masks to hospitals around the country. The masks were part of QBE North America’s emergency preparedness supply and will be donated to a number of hospitals and medical facilities facing shortages in communities countrywide.

4/7/20  |  Starr insurance accommodates policyholders under general aviation policies amidst COVID-19 social distancing restrictions
Starr Insurance Companies’ Aviation division today announced it will make accommodations under its general aviation policies to extend certain training and medical-certification deadlines for insured pilots until pandemic social-distancing mandates are lifted.

3/30/20  |  Texas Mutual Commits $2 Million in Grant Funding to Nonprofit Organizations and Donates $50,000 to Austin Philanthropic Fund
Texas Mutual is stepping in to help their community committing $2 million in grant funding for nonprofit organizations across the state that are vital to COVID-19 relief and recovery. These grants will go to 40 nonprofit organizations. In addition they have donated $50,000 to All Together ATX, a new partnership between Austin Community Foundation & United Way for Greater Austin, focused on lifting all Central Texans and the organizations that support them.

4/9/20  |  The Hartford’s COVID-19 Personal Auto Payback Plan To Provide Customers With Relief During Pandemic
The Hartford created a COVID-19 Personal Auto Payback Plan, which will provide customers with a 15 percent refund on their April and May personal auto insurance premiums. Over the next two months, the company will distribute approximately $50 million to its customers.

3/24/20  |  COVID-19 – Business Insurance
The Hartford will be looking at Business Coverage Interuption on a case by case basis. They will also be suspending cancellations for non-payment until May 1, 2020, and will not be assessing late fees for premiums due on or before May 1, 2020.

4/8/20  |  Travelers Announces Stay-at-Home Auto Premium Credit Program
Travelers is giving U.S. personal auto insurance customers a 15% credit on their April and May premiums through its new Stay-at-Home Auto Premium Credit Program. The company will automatically credit customers’ accounts, providing them with prompt and much needed relief during this time.

4/3/20  |  Travelers’ “Distribution Support Plan” to Provide Financial Assistance to Agents and Brokers
The Travelers Companies, Inc. will accelerate commission payments to eligible agents and brokers to help them address the liquidity impacts of the COVID-19 crisis. In total, Travelers is accelerating more than $100 million, a significant boost of cash flow to its distribution partners when they need it most.

3/26/20  |  Billing Relief for U.S. Customers
To ease the financial burden that many individuals and businesses are facing due to COVID-19, Travelers is expanding billing relief for all U.S. customers. Specifically, they will suspend cancellation and nonrenewal of coverage due to nonpayment through May 15, 2020. They will not not charge interest, late fees or penalties during this period, providing policyholders extra time to pay their premiums without risking cancellation.

3/20/20  |  Travelers Offering Virtual Options for On-Site Inspections
Travelers is expanding their approach to on-site inspections by offering several virtual options, leveraging our suite of digital tools. “We will work with you to choose the one that is most appropriate, based on the type of damage and your individual situation.”