Medical and Health
Health insurance coverage
Ohio’s Insurance Premium Deferment
The Ohio Department of Insurance (ODI) has issued guidance on health insurance coverage as a result of COVID-19.
Insurers are required to provide insureds with the option to defer premium payments for up to 60 days from their due date, interest-free.
Insurers now also have to allow employers to continue coverage for employees who would otherwise be ineligible for insurance coverage as a result of a reduction in hours worked.
Additionally, insurers must allow employers to continue providing coverage to employees under group policies regardless of any “active at work” requirements in the insurance policy. Insurers are prohibited from increasing premiums based on a reduction of employees in enrollment due to COVID-19.
For health plans with at least one active employee enrolled, all former employees are eligible for continuation coverage under COBRA (applicable to employers with 20 or more employees) or for 12 months under the Ohio continuation rules for smaller employers (less than 20 employees). For employees that lose coverage, there will also be a special enrollment period and waiver of certain enrollment procedures when coverage is purchased on the federal exchange.
covid-19 preventative care
Best Practices In The Wake Of Covid-19
Please review the infographic to educate yourself and others on how to best protect yourself and the people around you from getting sick. Even if you are at a lower risk of getting sick, take the recommended precautions such as avoiding crowds, so you don’t carry and transmit the disease to people who are at a higher risk.
According to the CDC, “older adults and people who have severe underlying chronic medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness.” Learn more about how you can support older adults and other higher risk populations here.
Additionally, please keep yourself informed and updated on the coronavirus situation by checking credible sources, such as the CDC. You can also explore this link for Ohio-specific news and recommendations.
