Mar 31, 2020
Employers across the country are managing difficult decisions to keep their employees safe and businesses open. Maintaining health coverage through layoffs, furloughs, or reduction in work hours can be challenging. Blue Shield of California will continue to provide coverage through June 30, 2020 as long as premiums are received. Coverage must be offered on a consistent, non-discriminatory basis to all employees, and employee premium contributions must be the same or less as prior to the layoffs, furloughs, or reduction of hours.
Options for continuing coverage for laid-off employees – fully insured or self-funded are:
- Employees can remain on a group plan to keep them covered in the same manner as prior to COVID-19 if premium payments continue for laid-off employees
- Employees can elect COBRA or Cal-COBRA, if eligible, and will be liable to pay the full cost of coverage (unless their employer chooses to subsidize COBRA premiums)
- Employees can enroll in the individual marketplace. Employees may benefit from government subsidies to help pay premiums
Contact your LISI Regional Sales Manager for more information.
