Stay on top of all the latest COVID-19 carrier responses and quickly identify how each carrier is helping to keep employees covered, provide relief to employers, and expand coverage.

Access valuable COVID-19 broker and member information to advise employers.

Also visit our Reopening and Returning to Work FAQs.

• President Trump signs legislation that extends the previous June 30 deadline for applying for Paycheck Protection Program loans to August 8, 2020 (CNBC, NPR).
• Health officials demand major Bay Area private hospitals, clinics ramp up Coronavirus testing (SF Chronicle).
• Trump signs new law relaxing PPP Rules: What You Need To Know (Forbes).
• Blue Shield of California extends member cost-sharing waivers for COVID-19 treatment and Teladoc Health’s virtual care service through September 30, 2020 (Blue Shield).
• Governor Newsom eases reopening requirements for California counties (SF Chronicle).
• California Governor Newsom announces a plan for Stage 2 reopening (gov.ca.gov, SF Chronicle).
• DOL temporarily extends COBRA deadlines.
• City of San Francisco allows employees in San Francisco to use funds their employer has contributed in compliance with the Health Care Security Ordinance (HCSO) for necessary expenses (SF City Option, Press Release).
• President Trump signs latest Coronavirus relief legislation. Includes an additional $310 billion in funding for the Payroll Protection Program (CNBC).
• The California Dental Association (CDA) recommends that dentist offices voluntarily suspend non-urgent or non-emergency dental care due to COVID-19 concerns. Dental plan members that require immediate care due to a dental emergency should contact their dental office.
• IRS publishes FAQs on the Employee Retention Credit under the CARES Act.
• President Trump signs the new $2 trillion Coronavirus relief bill (CBS, CNN).
• The US Department of Labor publishes Q&As on the new Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Claremont HR partners Mammoth HR and HR Services, Inc. both provide resources to help employers implement the law’s new requirements.
• SBA updates Small Business Guidance to include information on the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program, SBA Express Bridge Loans, and updated Guidance for Business and Employers.
• CAHU creates a COVID-19 web page to help brokers with links to useful state and federal resources.
• IRS issues federal income tax filing and payment relief for individuals and businesses with April 15 filing dates.
• California DOI provides guidance for the insurance industry on how to interpret the term “Essential Businesses” in the recent California “shelter-in-place” order.
• Governor Newsom announces California statewide “shelter-in-place” order impacting all residents and businesses except those involved in “essential businesses.”
• The US Small Business Administration is providing low-interest loans to help small businesses recover from the impact of the Coronavirus (The North Bay Business Journal).
• Seven Bay Area counties issue a shelter-in-place order impacting all residents and businesses in San Francisco, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Alameda, Contra Costa and Marin counties (The New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle).
• San Francisco Mayor Breed announces new measures to help small businesses impacted by the Coronavirus outbreak. (San Francisco Business Times, Office of the Mayor).
• IRS confirms that high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) can cover Coronavirus costs, including testing and treatment. HSA account holders can continue to make HSA contributions if their HDHP covers Coronavirus testing and treatment costs (Accounting Today, Sterling Administration).
• California DMHC and DOI issue Coronavirus directive to health plans and insurance companies, including the elimination of copays and deductibles on testing and other related services.
• Governor Newsom declares the State of Emergency to help California prepare for a broader spread of Coronavirus.
• The U.S. State Department is advising Americans to avoid traveling to certain countries.

• Canopy Health
• Dignity Health
• John Muir Health
• Stanford Health Care
• Sutter Health
• UCSF

• Coronavirus.gov 
  New federal government website housing Coronavirus information and actions from all federal agencies.
• CDC Resources for Businesses and Employers
  • Interim guidance for businesses and employers on how to plan, prepare and respond to Coronavirus.
  • Cleaning and disinfecting recommendations for workplaces.
• CDC About Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• CDC Travel Health Notices
• Department of Labor (DOL) Wage and Hour Division: COVID-19 web page includes Q&As on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).
• Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA): COVID-19 web page includes guidance on preparing workplaces for COVID-19.
• Internal Revenue Service (IRS): Coronavirus Tax Relief for Businesses and Tax-Exempt Entities.
• Small Business Administration (SBA): Coronavirus Relief Options web page provides information on available SBA funding programs including the Payroll Protection Program.

• Coronavirus.ca.gov 
  New State of California government website housing Coronavirus information and actions from all California agencies.
• California Department of Public Health
• San Francisco Department of Public Health
• San Francisco City and County resources for businesses and workers.
• Santa Clara County Public Health
• California Employment Development Department (EDD)
  • Coronavirus resources with information for employers on workplace health and safety, reduced work hours, and potential closure or layoffs.
  • Unemployment Insurance (UI) Work Sharing Program
  Employers who are experiencing a slowdown in their businesses due to COVID-19’s economic impact, can apply for the UI Work Sharing Program. This program allows employers to seek an alternative to layoffs and retain their trained employees by reducing their hours and wages which can be partially offset with UI benefits.
• CAL/OSHA

• HR Service Inc:
  • Responding to Slowdowns Caused by Coronavirus
  Advice for employers by President & CEO Ken Spencer.
  • Employer Coronavirus Toolkit
  Updates and resources for employers.
• Mammoth HR: COVID-19 Crisis Response Center
  Resource library, FAQs, state and federal information.
• Heartland Payroll: Employer Situation Room
  HR support center, COVID-19 guidance and best practices, COVID-19 legislation.
• Paylocity: COVID-19 Resources
  Return to work, COVID-19 legislation, COVID-19 webinars and podcasts.

• US Chamber of Commerce: Combating the Coronavirus: Resources, Response, Impact
• SHRM Coronavirus Resources
• NAHU Coronavirus Resources
  Links to relevant government agency Coronavirus resource pages.
• California Chamber of Commerce Coronavirus Resources
  Includes podcasts for employers on topics such as preparing for remote work.
• California SBDC
  COVID-19 resources for small businesses.
• CAHU
  COVID-19 web page to help brokers with links to useful state and federal resources.
• Small Business Majority
  Daily webinars providing small businesses with answers to questions including workplace issues and funding options.
  • Webinars: upcoming, on-demand, and recorded.
  • New programs for small businesses including PPP, EIDL, new unemployment programs, and more.
  • Ask a Lender: COVID-19 relief for the self-employed.

• COVID19.ca.gov Testing Site Locator
• COVID-19 Fact Check
  Learn the facts and myths so you can prepare better and keep others informed.
• Employee Benefit News Coronavirus Resources
  Includes links to Coronavirus articles helpful to brokers and employers.
• Coronavirus Checklist for Employers
• Directory of Local Health Departments
• San Francisco Business Times Resource Guide for Companies and Workers
  Affected by COVID-19
  A working guide to help get local employers and employees through this challenging time.
• Forbes
  Article with a list of Coronavirus (COVID-19) small business relief programs.
• Fortune
  Article on how small business owners and the self-employed can take advantage of the Coronavirus stimulus package.

Most of your clients’ employees are currently sheltering-in-place. But some employees may still be traveling for work under the “essential business” or “essential service” provisions of the current shelter-in-place orders. To help these clients, advise them about carrier travel assistance programs that may be available, either through their existing lines of coverage or through additional lines of coverage they may want to consider.

Carrier Travel Assistance Programs typically provide emergency assistance to members while traveling and can include:

• Physician Dispatch
• Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
• Critical Care Monitoring
• Legal Consultations
• Emergency Cash

Learn more about carrier travel assistance programs and eligibility.

Carrier Services

Carriers recognize the strain that COVID-19 is placing on employees and their families. Many are expanding access to emotional, behavioral, and mental health services —and in some cases waiving costs.

Carrier Services Include:

• Emotional Support Hotlines
• Behavioral Health Services and Benefits
• Mental Health and Wellness Phone Apps
• EAP Programs
• And More

Download our Carrier Resource Guides to stay up-to-date and advise your employer groups about the available carrier services and benefits available to their employees, either through their existing lines of coverage or through additional lines of coverage they may want to consider.

Government Resources

Several federal and California state government agencies have created resources to support individuals with their emotional and mental health needs.

US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

• YouTube video: Five Things About Staying Mentally Healthy During the COVID-19 Outbreak
• Disaster Distress Helpline
  800.985.5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746.

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

• Daily Life and Coping
  Stress and coping. Caring for children. Household checklist.

California Department of Human Health

• Resources for emotional support and well-being.
  Support hotlines for at-risk groups. Help to access behavioral and mental health services, and prevent abuse and neglect.

Health System Resources

Several Northern California health systems have resources to help with emotional and mental health:

Kaiser Permanente

• Wellness Resources
• Staying Healthy During the Coronavirus Outbreak

John Muir Health

• Emotional and Mental Health Resources

Sutter Health

• COVID-19 Wellness

Other Resources

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

• COVID-19 Resource and Information Guide
• NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization with over 600 organizations and affiliates nationwide. Find your local NAMI.