Is there a Dental & Vision Special Enrollment Opportunity?

Yes.

UnitedHealthcare has announced a Dental & Vision Special Enrollment Opportunity to enroll employees who previously did not enroll in Dental and/or Vision coverage. The one-time opportunity will be limited to those employees who previously waived coverage or did not elect coverage for themselves or their dependents (e.g., spouses or children).

• The enrollment opportunity will extend from May 18, 2020 through May 29, 2020, for a June 1st effective date.
• Employers are not required to adopt the SEP, so no opt-out action is required.
• Dependents such as spouses and children, can be added if they are enrolled in the same coverage or benefit option as the employee.
• This SEP is not intended to allow current members to make a change in plan options.

Get the details.

Where can I find information on the recent COVID-19 Special Enrollment Period for medical plans?

UnitedHealthcare’s FAQs on the Special Enrollment Period has answers to many questions.

Does UnitedHealthcare have some information related to employer groups returning to their worksites?

Get the answer in UnitedHealthcare’s COVID-19 Back to Worksite FAQs.

What is UnitedHealthcare doing to make it easier for members to receive their prescriptions?

• Early refill limits waived have been waived.
• No fee mail service is available for Optum Rx members.
• Free home delivery is also available through several pharmacy chains.

Learn more.

What emotional, behavioral and mental health services and benefits does UnitedHealthcare provide for employees and their families?

• Optum 24/7 emotional support helpline. 1-866-342-6892. Free of charge to anyone, not just members. 
• In-network tele-behavioral costs waived. 
• Free on-demand emotional support mobile app from Sanvello. 

Contact Claremont for more information.

Is UnitedHealthcare considering off-renewal premium changes for small businesses that may be financially impacted?

Get the answer in UnitedHealthcare’s COVID-19 Business Disruption Support FAQs.

Disability: are there any exclusions for pandemics?

No, there’s no exclusion for pandemics. COVID-19 is evaluated like any other medical condition.

Contact Claremont for more information.

Are there any extensions to new group application deadlines?

Yes. Check the Carrier Responses section of our COVID-19 resource page for the latest information.

What is UnitedHealthcare policy on telehealth services?

Get the answer in UnitedHealthcare’s COVID-19 Virtual Visits and Telehealth FAQs.

What can the employer offer during the special open enrollment?

UnitedHealthcare has extended the COVID-19 Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to April 13, and employers* with multiple plan options also can buy down to a leaner plan. Options include:

Add a special open enrollment for members who previously waived coverage, including dependents, to provide additional access to care. Employers can do this without introducing any new plans from March 23 -April 13 (extended from April 6). Employers will continue to contribute to the cost of the coverage, and coverage will be effective April 1.

1. Buy down to a leaner plan:

• Employers with a single-benefit offering that wish to buy down to a leaner plan may do so between now and May 31. They also can re-enroll their population to the leaner plan design.
• Employers with multi-option plan designs can temporarily buy down to a leaner plan. If employers decide to conduct a SEP when adding the plan, new enrollees who previously waived coverage can select from any of the plans offered by the employer provided they are eligible and the employer contributes to the cost of coverage. Existing members can also move to the lean plan design, but no other benefit changes are permitted.

2. Add a lean plan design but no SEP: Consistent with the buy-down approach, employers will have until May 31 to add a lean benefit. In that instance, existing members can move to the new lean plan design. No other benefit changes are permitted. New enrollees previously waiving coverage are excluded beyond the April 13 cutoff for SEP.

Learn more.