The GBD Blog

​Good Afternoon GBD Family,
 
We wanted to reach out and let you know we are all in this together! The uncertainty caused by COVID-19 is stressful, ever changing and a bit scary. The GBD team is here and ready to help however we can during this interesting time. We are working and doing our best to respond to your questions and concerns as quickly as we can. Please continue to email and call as needed.
 
We’d like to share some information we have compiled, based on the questions we have received, and share it with everyone. We hope you find it helpful.
 
Information
 
Many carriers are sending out information in emails and offering webcast, conference calls and webinars to communicate information directly to employers and members about what they are doing to assist during the pandemic. We advise you read these messages and participate in the webcasts/calls if and when you can to get the most up to date information directly from your medical carrier.
 
Cost of COVID-19 Testing and Care
 
Many of you have received emails from your current health insurance carrier that all fees for COVID-19 testing and care will be waived. The CDC has released a number of guidelines in regards to the virus and one of those is to utilize the virtual/video visits provided by your carrier. Many carriers have also waived the fee associated with telehealth/video visits.
 
Premium Payments
 
There are also concerns about premium payments if your revenue is impacted by COVID-19. Currently, we have heard from CareFirst that they are in discussions about helping clients who are unable to make premium payments due to the pandemic. We do not know details but as soon as they are published, we will share them with you. We are hopeful that other carriers will follow CareFirst, but as of now, the other carriers did not share information regarding similar discussions. If and when we hear information from other carriers regarding premium payments, we will share the information with you ASAP.
 
Resources & Support
 
If your company’s revenue has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, here are a few links that may provide assistance now or in the near future.
 

• Maryland Resources
• For those of you in MD, There is an emergency special enrollment for the MD health connection (individual insurance marketplace)
• DC Resources
• Virginia has declared a state of emergency but we have not found any information YET about assistance for small businesses
• Small Business Association
• Also, reach out to any associations you belong to or that are specific to your industry to see if they offer any emergency aid
• Many utility companies have also sent out information regarding assistance during this pandemic. We recommend checking with you electric, water, gas etc. company to see what kind of relief they are offering at this time.

 
Lastly, for those of you who do not have life/disability insurance or offer worksite products (such as Aflac or Colonial Life), you may have employees who are concerned about the loss of income if they were to become ill or hospitalized and unable to work. It’s not too late to offer some products, effective April 1st, that can assist with income replacement and hospital bills.  These can be voluntary, meaning no cost the company. If you would like to learn more, please let us know ASAP.
 
Again, we are here for you and in this with you! Let us know what you need and we will help however we can.
 
Your GBD Team,
Jessica and Lexy