Utah COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Resources For Employers

04/15/2020

Posted by: Altura Benefits in Insurance

covid-19 resources for employers | altura benefits

Altura Benefits wants to ensure all individuals and employers have access to the resources they need on COVID-19 in Utah. Therefore, this page contains a list of resources for employers to provide to employees to stay up-to-date with COVID-19. You’ll find helpful information addressing financial, food and caretaking advice from great sources such as the CDC, local government, and the World Health Organization.

These resources can also help your business and employees navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. If you have any questions about how the COVID-19 pandemic will affect your company benefits and wellness programs, do not hesitate to contact us.

Updates From Insurance Providers

Each carrier has a wealth of knowledge and additional resources, not to mention that they are being updated almost daily.

The Utah Department of Insurance requested all carriers complete a survey outlining their policies on cost sharing for office visits, telehealth, testing, treatment and prescriptions related to COVID. These responses can be found by clicking here.

Aetna
BlueCross BlueShield of New Mexico

Cigna

Colonial Life
EMI Health
Guardian Life
The Hartford

HealthEquity

Kaiser Permanente

Lincoln

Metlife

Principal
Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah

SelectHealth

Sun Life
UnitedHealthcare

University of Utah Health Plans

Unum

Important COVID-19 Updates From Altura

  • COBRA Coverage: The United States Department of Labor(DOL) has mandated extended election periods for individuals who experience a COBRA-qualifying event.

  • Notice 2020-15: An HDHP will not fail to be HSA-qualified merely because the plan provides benefits for testing and treatment of COVID-19 without regard to whether the minimum deductible has been satisfied. (Applies to all medical care and items for testing and treatment of COVID-19)
  • The National Association of Health Underwriters'(NAHU) website is a great resource to keep up to date on federal and state legislation, guidance, and regulations.

  • Paycheck Protection Program -The Utah Bankers Association has provided this valuable resource page to outline the Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses to continue paying their employees.

  • UMG Grant: Utah Media Group has announced a $2.1 million Small Business Advertising Grant matching dollar-for-dollar, for businesses that qualify, in order to help small businesses get back on their feet and get customers in the door.

Advice for Re-Opening Businesses

Take Action With Your Employees Without Violating ADA Regulations

  • American w/ Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to employers with 15 or more employees and prohibits medical exams or disability-related inquiries unless job-related
  • When a pandemic becomes more severe according to the assessment of public health officials, employers may have sufficient objective information to reasonably conclude that employees will face a direct threat if they contract the virus. In these circumstances, employers may make disability-related inquiries or require medical examinations of asymptomatic employees
  • Employers may send employees home if they display flu-like symptoms (e.g., fever, cough, shortness of breath) during a pandemic
  • Employers may ask employees who report feeling ill at work or who call in sick if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms

    Employers must maintain all information about employee illness as a confidential medical record in compliance with the ADA
  • Provisions include Emergency Paid Sick Leave and Emergency FMLA


    These provisions apply to employers with fewer than 500 employees and are effective for paid leave taken between 4/1/20 and 12/31/20, unless extended
  • Assistance for employers available via a refundable payroll tax credit

    Tax credit available for health insurance premiums allocable to qualified sick leave payments (as described in regulations to be published by the IRS)
  • Paid sick time to an employee who is unable to work (or telework) because of COVID-19:

  • is subject to a federal, state, or local quarantine or isolation order related to COVID-19;
  • has been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine due to concerns related to COVID-19;
  • has COVID-19 symptoms and is seeking medical diagnosis;
  • is caring for an individual who is subject to a quarantine or isolation order;
  • is caring for a child if the school or daycare center has been closed, or the child care provider is unavailable, due to COVID-19 precautions;
  • or is experiencing any other similar condition specified by the federal agencies

How Can My Employees Protect Themselves from COVID-19 in Utah?

COVID-19 Employee Well-Being Resources
How to Best Protect You & Your Employees From COVID-19 in Utah
CDC Tips on How to Protect You & Your Employees From COVID-19

Know How It Spreads

COVID-19 spreads between people who are in close contact (within about 6 feet) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

What Should I Do if I Think Me or My Employee Has COVID-19?

  • CDC Guidance for those that are sick
  • Sick leave advice from SHRM
    Encourage sick employees to stay home!

    How to get tested for COVID-19 in Utah:

    Care for COVID-19 at home:

    How to Care For Others Who Have COVID-19
    How to Care For Yourself If You Have COVID-19

    Utah Employer COVID-19 Resources

    David Eccles School of Business: Navigating COVID-19 Series
    Social Distancing Tips for Business
    Utah Business COVID-19 Resources
    CDC’s Tips for Businesses
    Utah Business Resources for COVID-19 Recovery
    Department of Labor COVID-19 Relief Paid Leave Requirements
    Engaging Remote Employees During COVID-19
    New COVID-19 Relief Laws Require Paid Employee Leave
    Federal Employee Rights Poster

    General COVID-19 Information

    Utah COVID-19 Updates
    CDC COVID-19 Updates
    World Health Organization COVID-19 Updates

    County COVID-19 Resources

    Salt Lake County Resources
    Weber & Morgan County Resources
    Davis County Resources
    Utah County Resources

    Financial & Food Assistance

    Burger King Gives Utah Kids FREE Kids Meals During COVID-19
    Comcast gives 2 FREE Months of Internet for Low-income Households
    U-Haul offers FREE storage to students displaced by COVID-19
    WIC Offers Nutrition Program to All Who Meet Income Eligibility

    Utah COVID-19 Unemployment Resources

    Utah COVID-19 Unemployment Resources
    New COVID-19 Relief Laws Require Paid Employee Leave [PDF]
    Federal Employee Rights [PDF]

    Monitor the COVID-19 Impact

    COVID-19 Impact World Map
    COVID-19 Impact United States Map
    Utah COVID-19 Cases
    Utah’s Plan for COVID-19 Recovery

    Utah’s Outlined Plan for COVID-19 Recovery

    At this time, many insurance companies are being flexible with their terms. For example, many are offering premium payment deadline extensions, special enrollment periods, and other exceptions to their enrollment requirements. Please contact your designated Altura Benefits Account Manager for more details.