Anthem Extends Health Plan Timeframes During COVID-19 Emergency

Anthem's primary focus is their members’ health and well-being, and making sure they have access to the care they need. In response to the national COVID-19 emergency, Anthem is giving clients more time to enroll in a health plan, file and appeal claims, elect COBRA continuation coverage, and pay COBRA premiums. 

In May, the U.S. Department of Labor issued guidance allowing ERISA health plans to suspend key timeframes from March 1, 2020, until 60 days after the federal government declares the end of the national emergency or outbreak period in your area, whichever is later.

This applies to Fully Insured and self-funded ERISA employer-sponsored plans only.

Anthem is extending timeframes to make it easier for employees to: 

• Take advantage of special enrollment if they previously declined employer-sponsored coverage but would now like to enroll.
• Elect COBRA continuation coverage if they lose their job or their work hours are reduced.
• Pay COBRA premiums.
• File or appeal claims.
• Notify their plan of qualifying life events such as marriage, divorce, birth of a baby or adoption, or disability determination related to COBRA coverage.

Here is a communication that Anthem has developed for you to share with your clients to explain the extended timeframes.

Tool to assist displaced employees

For those employees who have been displaced, you can share this flyer to help them understand the health plan options available to them. These options include COBRA as well as Individual coverage, short-term plans, Medicaid, and Medicare.

Anthem will continue to keep you updated on plan changes that impact you and your clients. It is important to Anthem that you feel supported and that members feel secure in knowing their health plan has them covered.

For questions, please contact a member of your B&P Sales Team - 888.722.3373.