Carrier Partner Updates

As the coronavirus pandemic has escalated, our carrier partners have made financial accommodations. To communicate these changes, they've created their own COVID-19 hubs and update them daily. For the offered services, see the links below or reach out to the ExpressLink team.

Aetna

Visit COVID-19 Hub: Members & Brokers

Additional Notices:

• FAQ: Small Group (2-100) Insured & Small Group AFA Health Plan Options for Business Owners March 31
• Aetna Funding Advantage (AFA): Health Plan Options for Small Business Owners March 27
• CVS Health COVID-19 Resources for Members – AFA, Fully Insured March 12
• CVS Health COVID-19 Resources for Members – Small Group March 12

Aflac

Visit COVID-19 Hub: Members

Additional Notices:

• Aflac Amends Employee Benefits to Address COVID-19 Concerns March 13

Allstate

Visit COVID-19 Hub: Members

Additional Notices:

• COVID-19 Update: Minimal Disruption for Allstate Benefits Customers March 20

Anthem

Visit COVID-19 Hub: Members & Brokers

Additional Notices:

• Virtual Dental and Orthodontics Care May 7
• New Qualified Expenses Added for HSAs, HRAs, and FSAs April 22
• New Resources Help with COVID-19 Mental and Social Needs April 7
• COVID-19 SEP Extended through April 15 April 7
• FAQ: Specific to the State of Ohio April 2
• COVID-19 SEP through April 3 March 25
• FAQ: External Info on COVID-19 March 20
• Extra COVID-19 Member Support for SG ASO Members March 18

Colonial Life

Visit COVID-19 Hub: Members & Brokers

Additional Notices:

• FAQ: COVID-19 and Employee Furlough March 30

Companion Life

View COVID-19 Response

COSE

Visit Medical Mutual COVID-19 Hub: Members

Guardian

Visit COVID-19 Hub: Members & Brokers

Most Recent Newsletter:

• The Latest COVID-19 Updates May 15

Quick Links:

• FAQ: Regarding COVID-19

Lincoln Financial

Visit COVID-19 Hub: Members | Brokers

Most Recent Newsletter:

• Where do Disability Benefits Fit in the COVID-19 Conversation? May 21
• View More

Medical Mutual

Visit COVID-19 Hub: Members

Newsletters:

• Medical Mutual Care Card Announcement May 6
• COVID-19 Treatment Covered with No Member Cost Sharing April 3 
• Ohio Issues Drug Limitations March 27
• Families First Coronavirus Response Act and Business Disruption March 25

Additional Notices:

• 60-Day Grace Period for Customers April 22
• FAQ: Business Disruption March 25

MetLife

Visit COVID-19 Hubs: Members | Brokers

Mutual of Omaha

Visit COVID-19 Hub: Members

Ohio Farm Bureau

Visit COVID-19 Hub: Members

Oscar

Visit COVID-19 Hubs: Members | Brokers

Principal

Visit COVID-19 Hubs: Members | Brokers

Most Recent Newsletter:

• Recent News and Resources May 21
• View More

Quick Links:

• Members, HR & Physicians Can File Their Portion of STD Claims Online
• FAQ on Insurance Policies Available through an Employer
• Rate Stability in Unprecedented Times
• Explaining the Families First Coronavirus Response Act

Most Frequent Asked Questions of the Week:

• FAQ: Furlough Coverage, Voluntary Life Insurance, and Disability Coverage Affected by Reduced Hours April 3
• FAQ: Business Disruption and Emergency Special Enrollment Period March 27

Sun Life Financial

View COVID-19 Response

The Hartford

Visit COVID-19 Hub: Members

Additional Notices:

• Zero Rate Increases, Plus COVID-19 Resources April 30

Media Library

Tune in to upcoming webinars, conference calls, and other media hosted by our carriers. View past session recordings at the bottom of the page.

UPCOMING SESSIONS

Guardian: Upcoming Webinars

Balancing Safety and Recovery: Returning to the Workplace While Managing Employee Leave

Wednesday, June 3 | 4–5pm ET

Register Now

Behavioral Alpha: Financial Decision-Making During the COVID-19 Crisis

Wednesday, June 10 | 4–5pm ET

Register Now

Lincoln Financial: Upcoming Webinar

The ADA Link (Americans with Disabilities Act)

June 16 and 18 | 2pm ET

Register Now

PAST SESSIONS

Lincoln Financial

Podcast  |  Lincoln Absence Advisor

Recent Episodes

• Disability Insurance and COVID-19 May 21
• Back to the Workplace Anxieties May 14
• Burnout in the Current Environment May 7

View More Episodes

Guardian

Recent Webinars

• Embracing Disability Wisdom During COVID-19: What We Can Learn From the Disabled Community May 27
• Stimulus Insights for Small Business Owners: Your Top Questions about the CARES Act Answered May 20
• Preparing for the Rebound: Business Strategies for Working Today and in the Future May 13

View More Webinars

Principal

Recent Recordings

• What Your Clients Need to Know about the CARES Act April 6

Anthem

Recent Recordings

• CARES Act and Small Business Loan Options April 16
• Special Enrollment Period Changes with COVID-19 March 25

Economic Relief

Use these resources to further understand the legislative initiatives in response to COVID-19. Learn how they are affecting health plans and the day-to-day lives of Americans.

Business Relief Calculator

Use this tool to navigate stimulus eligibility and the implications of estimated financial relief on the stability and future growth for your clients and their businesses, now and post-pandemic.

Get Started

Overview of Laws

The Department of Labor, Health and Human Services and the Treasury (Departments) reviews the relief laws related to health coverage issues.

• FAQ & Overview: FFCRA, CARES Act, and State Laws
• COVID-19 Scenarios and Benefits Available

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act)

The CARES Act provides $2.2 trillion in federal funding to address the economic stress caused by the coronavirus crisis.

• Infographic Summary
• Understanding the Historic $2 Trillion Stimulus Package
• Changes to Health Plans
• Changes to Retirement Plans
• Changes to Retirement Plans (video)

Family First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)

The FFCRA provides eligible workers with paid leave for reasons related to COVID-19.

U.S. Department of Labor

• FAQ: Employer and Employee Responsibilities and Rights
• Guidance on Small Employer Exemption
• Now Fully Enforcing FFCRA Paid Leave Rules for Coronavirus April 17

HR Compliance Bulletin

• States Update Employee Leave Requirements for Coronavirus May 28

U.S. Small Business Administration Loan Programs

The Small Business Administration is offering resources and direct assistance to businesses working through temporary loss of revenue.

• Small Business Guidance and Loans
• SBA Loan Update (PPP and EIDL) April 17
• What to Do After Receiving a PPP Loan
• PPP Guidance for Employees Refusing to Return to Work

General Resources

While many things are on hold right now, the world keeps turning. Stay educated on the COVID-19 progression and use these tools to manage your business.

COVID-19 Updates

• Coronavirus.gov
• Ohio Department of Health
• Coronavirus Disease 2019 Situation Summary
• Rolling Updates on COVID-19
• Information for Travelers
• Government Response to Coronavirus

Small and Mid-Sized Business Guidance

• CDC: Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers
• IRS: Tax Relief for Business and Tax-Exempt Entities

• COVID-19 Guidance for Section 125 Mid-year Election Change Rules May 28

U.S. Small Business Association | View COVID-19 Hub

• SBA is Committed to Assisting America's Workers and Small Businesses May 1
• SBA Loan Update (PPP and EIDL) April 17

Local Resources

Cleveland Clinic | View COVID-19 Hub

Ohio Department of Insurance

• Bulletins

• Bulletin 2020-08: Temporary Licenses During the State of Emergency Effective April 15
• Bulletin 2020-09: Extension of Financial Filing Deadlines and Procedural Requirements as Result of COVID-19 Recommendations and Orders Effective April 15
• View More Bulletins

• Unemployment Insurance Program

• General Information
  
• File a UI claim online or by telephone 1-877-644-6562
• Updates related to COVID-19

• Consumer Alert

  • Be Aware of Insurance Scams During the Crisis

Everyday Tips & Tools

• Live Well, Work Well: Working from Home
• Zenefits: Offering Free Payroll for a Year
• Sample Furlough Notice (Word Doc. download)
• Reopening a Business after the Coronavirus Shutdown
• Social Distancing at Work (Video)
• Designing a Post-Coronavirus Office