Actualize Guidance - Coronavirus
June 3:
Ameritas Benefit Enhancement:
Ameritas Benefit Enhancement:
- Elimination of dental deductible July 1 - Dec 31, 2020
- Elimination of dental exam and cleaning frequency limitations July 1 - Dec 31, 2020. (Previously limit was 2/benefit period.)
How are you staying entertained? Send us some links and we can add to this list!
Corporate Communications Want to give back?
Donations to Local Food Banks: You can choose where to send the items.
Washington Post Article on What You can Do to Give Back
Donations to Local Food Banks: You can choose where to send the items.
Washington Post Article on What You can Do to Give Back
Coronavirus, Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act)
Retirement Plan Provisions
The Coronavirus, Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, includes several key provisions that the American Retirement Association believes will positively impact retirement plan participants and plan sponsors. For more information on the below affected areas, check out the Summary of CARES Provisions and CARES Act FAQ.
Key provisions include:
In order to qualify, distributions must be made before December 31, 2020 to:
The plan administrator of an eligible retirement plan may rely on an employee’s certification that the employee satisfies the conditions.
Plan Loans:
Key provisions include:
- The maximum amount available to withdraw is $100,000 per participant, across all plans of a controlled group.
- Participants may be permitted to recontribute the amount within 3 years without regard to contribution limits.
- The mandatory 20% withholding and the requirement to provide a 402(f) notice is waived. Standard federal withholding is 10% unless the participant opts out by completing a Form W-4P.
- The withdrawal is not subject to the 10% additional income tax for early distributions.
- Income attributable to the distribution can be spread out over three years for tax purposes.
In order to qualify, distributions must be made before December 31, 2020 to:
- A participant, their spouse or dependent diagnosed by a test approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with coronavirus or
- A participant who experiences adverse financial consequences by results of the virus, including loss of wages.
The plan administrator of an eligible retirement plan may rely on an employee’s certification that the employee satisfies the conditions.
Plan Loans:
- IRS plan loan limits for participants requesting new loans have been increased to 100% of vested account balance*, up to $100,000, for the 180 days following the date of enactment.
- Plan loan payments due between the date of enactment and 12/31/2020 are delayed for one year, and this same time period may be disregarded from the loan’s term. Subsequent payment due dates will also be adjusted accordingly, and interest will continue to accrue during the delay period.
- In order to qualify, participants must certify they have experienced specific adverse financial consequences from the coronavirus pandemic or they, their spouse or dependent have been diagnosed with coronavirus by a test approved by the CDC.
Families First Act and UK/Canada
- Families First Act Overview for Employees
- See the new COVID-19 Benefits for UK and US as well as a recap of leave policies for Canada. This document includes changes due to the Families First Act (US) and Statutory Leave (UK) among others. Click here to view on Dropbox.
Remote Meeting Technologies
In efforts for business continuity, we are providing the ways in which we can continue to hold client calls, meetings, and presentations remotely.We want to support continued movement on client projects. If a client cancels an in-person meeting or training, try to reschedule with one of these remote options:
Link to options
Link to options
CDC Links
Links:
Where to Get Tested
Where to get COVID-19 test?
Enter your zip code to find out the nearest COVID-19 test site. (from US HRSA.gov website)
https://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/
1. Go to clinics instead of crowded large facilities.
2. Fees: Testing and Treatments are free.
If confirmed, home isolation for 14 days, please help stop spreading COVID-19.
Proactive screening to stop the spreads.
Enter your zip code to find out the nearest COVID-19 test site. (from US HRSA.gov website)
https://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/
1. Go to clinics instead of crowded large facilities.
2. Fees: Testing and Treatments are free.
If confirmed, home isolation for 14 days, please help stop spreading COVID-19.
Proactive screening to stop the spreads.
Benefit Updates
- If you have a dependent care account, you are eligible to stop or reduce your deductions due to COVID-19. You should have received an email, but if not, please let Maddie know as soon as possible.
- For the period we are working under the conditions of the pandemic, we are allowing you to expand your wellness dollars for care or school aids for your kids. If you do not have children and have ideas on how to use the funds, please reach out to Kerry to discuss.
- COVID-19 Relief Extends Certain Employee Benefit Plan Deadlines
Aetna Health Insurance Updates
Aetna Resources For Living (RFL) is offering support and liberalizing resources to individuals and organizations who have been impacted by Coronavirus. Through this liberalization, those in need of support can access EAP services whether or not they have EAP as part of their benefits.
Effective immediately, Aetna members will have access to the following resources:
Aetna will waive co-pays for all diagnostic testing related to COVID-19. This policy will cover the test kit for patients who meet CDC guidelines for testing, which can be done in any approved laboratory location. Aetna will waive the member costs associated with diagnostic testing at any authorized location for all Commercial, Medicare and Medicaid lines of business. Self-insured plan sponsors will be able to opt-out of this program at their discretion.
For the next 90 days, Aetna will offer zero co-pay telemedicine visits for any reason. Aetna members should use telemedicine as their first line of defense in order to limit potential exposure in physician offices. Cost sharing will be waived for all video visits through the CVS MinuteClinic app, Aetna-covered Teladoc offerings and in-network providers delivering synchronous virtual care (live video-conferencing) for all Commercial plan designs. Self-insured plan sponsors will be able to opt-out of this program at their discretion.
Through Aetna's Healing Better program, members who are diagnosed with COVID-19 will receive a care package containing CVS over-the-counter medications to help relieve symptoms. The package will also include personal and household cleaning supplies to help keep others in the home protected from potential exposure.
Through existing care management programs, Aetna will proactively reach out to members most at-risk for COVID-19. Care managers will walk members through what they can do to protect themselves, where to get information on the virus, and where to go to get tested.
Aetna is extending its Medicare Advantage virtual evaluation and monitoring visit benefit to all Aetna Commercial members as a fully-covered benefit. This offering will empower members with other conditions that need follow-up care to engage with providers without the concern of sitting in a physician's office and risking potential exposure to COVID-19.
CVS Health is implementing the following programs to educate members about COVID-19 and help address any associated anxiety and stress:
1. Opening Crisis Response Lines for all Aetna (Commercial, Medicare, Medicaid) and Caremark members who may be experiencing anxiety related to COVID-19.
2. Expanding 24x7 access to the Aetna Nurse Medical Line for all Aetna and Caremark members.
3. Providing Aetna plan sponsors with a Resources for Living toolkit with materials specifically developed for members experiencing anxiety related to COVID-19.
Anyone presenting symptoms compatible with COVID-19 should contact their health care provider immediately.
CVS Health and Aetna have created a site dedicated to providing updates on the Corona Virus. Check it out here: https://cvshealth.com/newsroom/articles/what-you-need-know-about-new-coronavirus-outbreak
Find more information on insurance updates located in Actualize Portal> Benefits and Employee Guides > Pandemic Flu.
- Individuals and organizations who do not have Aetna EAP can contact us at 1-833-327-AETNA (1-833-327-2386)
- PDF on the details of the plan
Effective immediately, Aetna members will have access to the following resources:
Aetna will waive co-pays for all diagnostic testing related to COVID-19. This policy will cover the test kit for patients who meet CDC guidelines for testing, which can be done in any approved laboratory location. Aetna will waive the member costs associated with diagnostic testing at any authorized location for all Commercial, Medicare and Medicaid lines of business. Self-insured plan sponsors will be able to opt-out of this program at their discretion.
For the next 90 days, Aetna will offer zero co-pay telemedicine visits for any reason. Aetna members should use telemedicine as their first line of defense in order to limit potential exposure in physician offices. Cost sharing will be waived for all video visits through the CVS MinuteClinic app, Aetna-covered Teladoc offerings and in-network providers delivering synchronous virtual care (live video-conferencing) for all Commercial plan designs. Self-insured plan sponsors will be able to opt-out of this program at their discretion.
Through Aetna's Healing Better program, members who are diagnosed with COVID-19 will receive a care package containing CVS over-the-counter medications to help relieve symptoms. The package will also include personal and household cleaning supplies to help keep others in the home protected from potential exposure.
Through existing care management programs, Aetna will proactively reach out to members most at-risk for COVID-19. Care managers will walk members through what they can do to protect themselves, where to get information on the virus, and where to go to get tested.
Aetna is extending its Medicare Advantage virtual evaluation and monitoring visit benefit to all Aetna Commercial members as a fully-covered benefit. This offering will empower members with other conditions that need follow-up care to engage with providers without the concern of sitting in a physician's office and risking potential exposure to COVID-19.
CVS Health is implementing the following programs to educate members about COVID-19 and help address any associated anxiety and stress:
1. Opening Crisis Response Lines for all Aetna (Commercial, Medicare, Medicaid) and Caremark members who may be experiencing anxiety related to COVID-19.
2. Expanding 24x7 access to the Aetna Nurse Medical Line for all Aetna and Caremark members.
3. Providing Aetna plan sponsors with a Resources for Living toolkit with materials specifically developed for members experiencing anxiety related to COVID-19.
Anyone presenting symptoms compatible with COVID-19 should contact their health care provider immediately.
CVS Health and Aetna have created a site dedicated to providing updates on the Corona Virus. Check it out here: https://cvshealth.com/newsroom/articles/what-you-need-know-about-new-coronavirus-outbreak
Find more information on insurance updates located in Actualize Portal> Benefits and Employee Guides > Pandemic Flu.
Ameritas US Dental/Vision Link to Response to COVID-19
Other Health Links
HIGH DEDUCTIBLE HEALTH PLANS AND EXPENSES RELATED TO COVID-19
March 11, 2020 – Internal Revenue Service
Excerpt: “To facilitate the nation’s response to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), this notice provides that, until further guidance is issued, a health plan that otherwise satisfies the requirements to be a high deductible health plan (HDHP) under section 223(c)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) will not fail to be an HDHP under section 223(c)(2)(A) merely because the health plan provides health benefits associated with testing for and treatment of COVID-19 without a deductible, or with a deductible below the minimum deductible (self only or family) for an HDHP. Therefore, an individual covered by the HDHP will not be disqualified from being an eligible individual under section 223(c)(1) who may make tax-favored contributions to a health savings account (HSA)."
Teledoc Guidelines (you can sign-up via Aetna to receive remote medical support)
March 11, 2020 – Internal Revenue Service
Excerpt: “To facilitate the nation’s response to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), this notice provides that, until further guidance is issued, a health plan that otherwise satisfies the requirements to be a high deductible health plan (HDHP) under section 223(c)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) will not fail to be an HDHP under section 223(c)(2)(A) merely because the health plan provides health benefits associated with testing for and treatment of COVID-19 without a deductible, or with a deductible below the minimum deductible (self only or family) for an HDHP. Therefore, an individual covered by the HDHP will not be disqualified from being an eligible individual under section 223(c)(1) who may make tax-favored contributions to a health savings account (HSA)."
Teledoc Guidelines (you can sign-up via Aetna to receive remote medical support)
Tips
Working from Home with Children: Activities and Tips To Keep Them Entertained
Is Your Team Ready to Work from Home? 7 Tips on How to Be Successful as a Remote Workforce
Forbes Article on Dealing with Crisis
Guidelines in Your Home
Bonding Through Isolation
Kid Friendly
Overview of the virus to share with your kids if they are interested in learning the facts
Viruses vs. Bacteria | What's The Difference?
Video Lessons on One Size Does Not Fit All (Kerry's kids)
Online program for young students
Is Your Team Ready to Work from Home? 7 Tips on How to Be Successful as a Remote Workforce
Forbes Article on Dealing with Crisis
Guidelines in Your Home
Bonding Through Isolation
Kid Friendly
Overview of the virus to share with your kids if they are interested in learning the facts
Viruses vs. Bacteria | What's The Difference?
Video Lessons on One Size Does Not Fit All (Kerry's kids)
Online program for young students
