Extension of COVID-19 renewal program:

United Healthcare is extending our commitment to renew at existing rates or better for groups with 2-499 eligible lives until December 31, 2020. This applies to fully insured Dental, Vision, Life, and Disability and Supplemental Health* plans.  Details here,

Enhanced reimbursement rates for dental care providers:

In-network dentists enrolled in electronic payments will receive increases between $5 and $10 for certain services related to routine exams, emergency services and initial evaluations for children and adults. UnitedHealthcare Dental contracted providers may be eligible to gain access to a portion of UnitedHealthcare Dental’s $10 million COVID-19 relief package.**

Reduction in dental premium:

UnitedHealthcare Dental is providing a 50%, 1-month premium reduction in July–reflected on June invoices.

Premium Grace Period Extension

For hardship cases, carrier requires a letter/email from the employer requesting assistance.  Once letter is received, GBS must submit to UHC for consideration.

Collection efforts are to continue if letter with explanation of hardship is not provided. 

UHC will defer renewal rate increases for fully insured groups of  2 - 100 eligible lives between July 1, 2020 and September 30, 2020 for the following products:  Dental, Vision, Basic and Supplemental Life, STD and LTD.    In addition, we were notified on May 29, 2020 that UHC is calculating a premium credit to be applied for medical and dental coverage as follows:  MD discount for medical of 15%; VA and DC discount for medical of 10%; Dental Discount All States of 50%.  Discounts are to apply both to Key Accounts and Small Group Business.  As soon as credits are calculated by UHC, they will be passed along to the client in next invoicing.

Employees Who Have a Reduction in Hours

Yes, still available through May 31, 2020

COVID-19 Small Group Renewal Details
  • Applicable for groups of 2-100 eligible lives.
  • Groups renewing from May 1 through September 30, 2020 will renew at existing rates without rate increases.
    • Renewals occurring May through July will require retro-active adjustments and customers may see a lower rate on their monthly invoice than what was reflected in their renewal.
  • Products in-scope for this short term COVID-19 renewal adjustment are Dental, Vision, Basic Life, Supplemental Life, STD and LTD.*
  • Includes the UnitedHealthcare and All Savers businesses.
  • State regulatory guidelines may apply.*

*WA groups in the 2-50 space will be subject to standard renewal rate strategy for Dental & Vision
*FL groups in the 2-100 space will be subject to standard renewal rate strategy for STD and LTD

Additional Information

For both small and large employer groups, UHC will allow employee and dependents not previously enrolled to come on the plan during a special open enrollment period between March 23 - April 6th for an effective date of April 1, 2020. UHC will allow employers to add a "leaner" plan, available to new enrollees only during the special enrollment period. UHC will not allow existing members to change plans mid year.

For small employer groups, a Wage & Tax statement will be required to validate employee eligibility. IF BREAK IN COVERAGE: all members coming off a plan and having a break in coverage would start over and need to re-satisfy their deductibles.