To assist members in accessing care in light of COVID-19, UnitedHealthcare is providing its fully-insured small and large employer customers with a Special COVID-19 Enrollment Opportunity 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. See Notice of Special COVID-19 Enrollment Opportunity document for details.
Self-funded customers may choose to amend their eligibility requirements to align with the special enrollment period for fully insured customers, at their discretion; however, we do not recommend as HIPAA Qualifying Events still apply if someone loses coverage.
You have the option to offer coverage to employees and dependents who waived coverage when they were originally eligible. Employees that meet your current eligibility requirements can add coverage effective 4/1/2020. Coverage elections must be reported to UHC by 4/6/2020. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you would like to discuss.
No action is required if you choose not to make this available.
This Special One-Time Enrollment Opportunity expires as of April 6, 2020:
- The enrollment opportunity will extend from March 23, 2020, to April 6, 2020. Effective date is April 1.
- Customers are not required to adopt the Special COVID-19 Enrollment Opportunity. Because of this, no opt out action is required on their behalf. UnitedHealthcare realizes each situation is unique, and each customer must make their own decisions on the enrollment opportunity.
- Dependents, such as spouses and children, can be added if they are enrolled in the same coverage or benefit option as the employee.
- Standard waiting periods will be waived; however, existing eligibility and state guidelines will apply.
- For small employers (2-50), a wage and tax statement will be needed to validate the employee’s eligibility.
Please see important links below:
https://www.uhc.com/employer/faq-employer
CDC, WHO, U.S. State Department websites
Coronavirus (COVID-19) CDC page
CDC Share the Facts, Stop the Fear page
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for Travelers CDC page
Coronavirus (COVID-19) WHO page
Coronavirus (COVID-19) U.S. State Department website
www.uhc.com will provide you with the most updated information pertaining to COVID-19