Flexibility of Health Insurance Coverage in light of COVID-19
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This bulletin provides non-binding recommendations to insurers writing health insurance in Alabama on flexibilities to maintain employee coverage and adjust policy practices during the COVID-19 public health emergency; it affects health insurers and employers in Alabama.
No material clinical or coverage changes in this revision.
Recommended Coverage Flexibilities
Recommended coverage flexibilities
Suggested insurer practices to preserve coverage during the emergency:
Recommended Insurer Actions During the COVID-19 Emergency
Insurer flexibility to preserve employee coverage during COVID-19 State of Emergency
During the State of Emergency declared for COVID-19, insurers are recommended to exercise flexibility to maintain employee health plan coverage — keep employees on group policies even if they would otherwise become ineligible due to reduced hours, waive or relax “actively at work” or similar eligibility requirements, and avoid increasing premium rates where possible. Insurers should also remember COBRA responsibilities and assist employers. The Commissioner will refrain from enforcement action against insurers that adjust forms, rates, practices, and notice periods consistent with this bulletin.
- Keep employees on group health plans despite decreased hours worked per week.
- Waive or relax “actively at work” or similar eligibility requirements to avoid termination of coverage.
- Avoid increasing premium rates if possible.
- Assist employers with COBRA responsibilities.
- The Commissioner will not take enforcement action regarding filed forms and rates for insurers that implement these flexibilities.
Key Definitions
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