Premium Grace Period Extension
Aetna will work with AFA plan sponsors to extend grace periods for the months of March, April and May of this year. The Aetna Answer Team will work with each individual plan sponsor to determine an appropriate payment plan for their circumstances. Payment plans would apply to the stop loss premium, ASC fees and maximum claim funding. At this time, we intend to end this liberalization May 31, 2020, subject to state regulatory requirements.
Coverage Available to Laid Off Employees
Employees can maintain their coverage on your Aetna plans so long as (1) the reduction in hours/lay off is a temporary measure resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) you continue to pay your monthly bill and (3) you do not terminate the employee(s). This option is available to customers until July 31, 2020.
Please note the guidelines must be applied uniformly without regard to health status-related factors.
Waiver of Waiting Period if Employees Return from Layoff
Through July 31, 2020, Aetna is prepared to support changes to the waiting period rules. Any change in the waiting period rules that extends into the next plan year will be considered in the renewal.
Employees Who Have a Reduction in Hours
Employees can maintain their coverage on your Aetna plans so long as (1) the reduction in hours/lay off is a temporary measure resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) you continue to pay your monthly bill and (3) you do not terminate the employee(s). This option is available to customers until July 31, 2020.
Please note the guidelines must be applied uniformly without regard to health status-related factors.
Extending liberalizations for small group (2-100)
Aetna remains committed to you during these unprecedented times. When COVID-19 escalated in the US, Aetna, a CVS Health Company, was among the first in the industry to allow short-term crisis policy changes to support your clients and their employees. As the country and states are shifting to recovery planning and reopening businesses, know that we will continue the extension of many of these policies through September 2020.
COVID-19 Business Continuity Capabilities FlyerAdditional Information
Aetna will allow prospective plan changes, such as benefit buy downs, provided that the group maintains the same renewal date. This option is available until July 31, 2020.
A Special Enrollment Period is available from Monday, April 6th through Friday, April 17, 2020. The SEP will be limited to eligible employees and dependents who did not previously elect coverage with their employer. Questions may be submitted to COVID19_Aetna_Producer_Questions@AETNA.com
