Coronavirus updates
Have questions about employer group health coverage for out-of-work employees? We’ve prepared the following FAQs to address your concerns.
If you have additional questions, your account manager is standing by to answer them.
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Yes. Through May 11, 2023, Geisinger Health Plan is relaxing its requirement that employees be actively working to be eligible for coverage and will allow you to continue coverage for laid-off employees. Note that this is subject to all monthly premiums being paid and coverage offered on a uniform, non-discriminatory basis. You may not choose only certain people for whom you continue coverage and pay premium.
After the PHE ends, Geisinger will resume pre-pandemic coverage policies and processes.
If at least one person remains employed by the company and covered by the plan (e.g., the owner or a management employee), the company can continue to cover laid-off employees through May 11, 2023, if premium is paid. Note that you must offer this coverage on a uniform, non-discriminatory basis. In other words, you may not choose only certain people for whom you continue coverage and pay premium.
After the PHE ends, Geisinger will resume pre-pandemic coverage policies and processes.
An employee returning from layoff or leave is eligible to enroll if they were covered by Geisinger Health Plan before their departure and they meet eligibility criteria.
When the new application is submitted, write “recalled from layoff” across the top. The effective date will be the day they return to work.
If your group is subject to COBRA and one person remains actively employed, employees may elect to continue coverage under COBRA under the normal notice and election procedure. If Geisinger Health Plan is your stop-loss carrier, we will not limit the number of COBRA participants under the stop-loss policy through May 11, 2023. If Geisinger Health Plan is not your stop-loss carrier, check with your stop-loss carrier about any rules it may have regarding minimum enrollment of active employees for stop-loss coverage. If the plan has no active employees, the plan is terminated, and COBRA is not an option. In that case, employees would have a special enrollment period to enroll in individual or other coverage (e.g., through a spouse).
This exception will expire on May 11, 2023.
Through May 11, 2023, if the loss of enrollment is a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, rates and premiums will not be adjusted due to enrollment change.
After the PHE ends, Geisinger will resume pre-pandemic coverage policies and processes.
Geisinger Health Plan can offer ACA-compliant individual plans for those who have been laid off and lost employer-sponsored coverage, and those people may be able to benefit from premium subsidies (advanced premium tax credits). Those interested in an individual plan should call 800-918-5154 to speak with a Geisinger Health Plan individual sales center associate. We can help them determine whether they qualify for premium subsidies to help reduce their monthly premium and, when applicable, can also refer those with qualifying income to be evaluated for Medicaid eligibility.
If you have furloughed employees/members who are 65 years of age or older, have them call Geisinger Gold at 877-821-5056 as soon as possible to review their options with one of our Medicare Advantage plans. We offer all-in-one $0 deductible health plans that include prescription drugs, as well as optional supplemental benefits such as dental, vision, hearing and even gym memberships all with monthly premiums as low as $0.
Still have questions?
Visit Geisinger's Coronavirus Resource Center.
