COVID-19 Carrier Updates – Anthem Blue Cross

Anthem Blue Cross

Eligibility Requirements – Reduced Hours/Layoffs

Anthem Blue Cross is temporarily (through May 31, 2020) relaxing its requirement that employees be actively working to be eligible for coverage and will allow employers to cover reduced hour employees, as well as furloughed and laid off employees, as long as the employer continues to pay the monthly premium.  Please note that coverage must be offered on a uniform, nondiscriminatory basis to all employees, and employee premium contributions must be the same or less prior to the reduction in hours/layoffs.

The rehire waiting period for re-hired employees who were terminated due to COVID-19 will be waived for employees rehired by May 31, 2020.

Special Open Enrollment Period

Anthem Blue Cross is providing its fully-insured small and large employer customers with a Special Enrollment Period to enroll employees who previously did not to enroll in coverage. The opportunity will be limited to those employees who previously did not elect coverage for themselves (spouses or children) or waived coverage.  The enrollment period will extend from March 23, 2020, to April 3, 2020, with an effective date of April 1, 2020.  Employees are not required to participate in the Special Open Enrollment Period.  Dependents, such as spouses and children, can be added if they are enrolled in the same coverage or benefit option as the employee.

Anthem Blue Cross – MCF MEWA PLANS (Missouri Chamber Federation)

Eligibility Requirements – Reduced Hours/Layoffs

Anthem MEWA Plans are temporarily (through May 31, 2020) relaxing requirements that employees be actively working to be eligible for coverage and will allow employers to cover reduced hour employees, as well as furloughed and laid off employees, as long as the employer continues to pay the monthly premium.  Please note that coverage must be offered on a uniform, nondiscriminatory basis to all employees, and employee premium contributions must be the same or less prior to the reduction in hours/layoffs.

The rehire waiting period for re-hired employees who were terminated due to COVID-19 will be waived for employees rehired by May 31, 2020.

Special Open Enrollment Period

Anthem MEWA Plans are providing its fully-insured small and large employer customers with a Special Enrollment Period to enroll employees who previously did not to enroll in coverage. The opportunity will be limited to those employees who previously did not elect coverage for themselves (spouses or children) or waived coverage.  The enrollment period will extend from March 23, 2020, to April 3, 2020, with an effective date of April 1, 2020.  Employees are not required to participate in the Special Open Enrollment Period.  Dependents, such as spouses and children, can be added if they are enrolled in the same coverage or benefit option as the employee.