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Important information regarding COVID-19
Coronavirus Testing Coverage Mandate
On March 18, 2020, President Trump signed into law the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. While the Act addresses a whole host of matters, including extended emergency FMLA expansion and paid sick time, the Act also provides coverage mandates for all group health plans, irrespective of whether the plans 1) are grandfathered, 2) are non-ERISA and/or 3) only provide preventive benefits. Indeed, the only apparent carve-out are plans that solely constitute excepted benefits.
As a result, Select Administrative Services will be waiving member cost share for screening and testing related to COVID-19 until further notice.
With regard to treatment beyond testing, the Participant will be responsible for applicable deductibles, coinsurance and any other cost-sharing requirements.
Telehealth
In an effort to assist our members in receiving the care they need while following the shelter-at-home order, Select Administrative Services will also allow telehealth screenings for non-COVID-19 related illnesses and routine examinations. Regular copay, deductible and coinsurance amounts will apply.
Place of Service 02 should be billed for any claim provided for telehealth services which include Virtual Check In (G2012) and Telephone E&M (99441 - 99443). A modifier is not required.
Dental Providers
Select Administrative Services will reimburse providers $8 per patient visit for dates of service from 5/1/2020 - 6/30/2020 to help cover the costs associated with PPE supplies resulting from COVID-19. Providers should bill procedure code D1999 - Unlisted Preventive Procedure, by report.
Changes to COBRA due to COVID-19
The Departments of Labor (DOL) and Treasury, in consultation with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) issued new rules imposing mandatory timeframe extensions for several employee benefits compliance requirements. The rules come in response to President Trump’s March 13, 2020 Proclamation on Declaring a National Emergency Concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak, and the invocation of an emergency determination under Stafford Act beginning March 1, 2020.
These new rules impact: The HIPAA Special Enrollment Period, The COBRA Election Period, The COBRA Premium Payment Period, COBRA Notices from Employees, Health Plan Benefit Claim filing Deadline, The ERISA Adverse Benefit Determination Appeal Deadline, Rules around deadlines for and external review of an adverse claim decision and the deadline to Submit Additional Information related to External Review requests.
The extensions of employee and dependent timeframes run from March 1, 2020 until 60 days after the announced end of the National Emergency period.
The COBRA Election Period
Under COBRA, employees and dependents who lose active coverage as a result of a qualifying event have 60 days to elect continuation coverage from receiving the COBRA election notice.
The new rule extends the 60-day COBRA election period to 60 days after the end of the Outbreak Period to elect COBRA.
The COBRA Premium Payment Period
Under COBRA, qualified beneficiaries have 45 days from the COBRA election to make the first premium payment, and subsequent monthly payments are to be made within the 30-day grace period that starts at the beginning of each coverage month.
The new rule extends the 45-day initial premium payment and 30-day grace period for subsequent premium payment timeframe until 60 days after the announced end of the National Emergency period. However, after the 30-day grace period claims will be denied until payment is receive then claims will be reprocessed.
COBRA Notices from Employees re Divorce, Child Reaching Age 26, and Disability
Under COBRA, the employee or dependent is responsible for notifying the plan within 60 days of the following qualifying events:
- A divorce or legal separation causing the spouse to lose plan eligibility;
- A child losing eligible dependent status (typically upon reaching age 26).
For a COBRA qualified beneficiary to qualify for a disability extension of the maximum coverage period from 18 to 29 months, the qualified beneficiary must (among additional requirements) notify the plan within 60 days of the SSA disability determination. Failure to timely notify the plan of these events can cause the employee or dependent to lose COBRA rights under the plan.
The rules extend the 60-day employee COBRA notification timeframe.
The National Emergency ends 60 days after the Outbreak Period ends, the employee/spouse would have until 60 days after the end of the Outbreak Period to notify the plan of the divorce qualifying event and preserve COBRA rights for the former spouse.
We’re monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic closely and will be updating this site with new information as it’s available. Be sure to check back frequently for updates.
Members, You can now View and Print your ID Card online!
Log into your Health Ensure Member Account today to see this new feature for SAS members.
- Click on the Members tab.
- Scroll down and click on Member Login.
- Login or click Create Your Account if you are a first-time user.
Note: You will need your SAS Member ID number as well as your Group number in order to complete registration. If you need your Member ID number, contact SAS Customer Serivce at 228.865.0514 or 800.847.6621.
- After you click Create My Account, an activation link will be sent to the email address you entered. You must click on that activation link in the email and enter the code from the email in order to activate your account.
- Click the Print ID Cards button to view/print your ID card.
New Coordination of Benefits E-Form Available
You can now complete and submit your annual Coordination of Benefits form online through your member account in Health Ensure.
- Click on the Members tab.
- Scroll down and click on Member Login.
- Login or click Create Your Account if you are a first-time user.
Note: You will need your SAS Member ID number as well as your Group number in order to complete registration. If you need your Member ID number, contact SAS Customer Serivce at 228.865.0514 or 800.847.6621.
- After you click Create My Account, an activation link will be sent to the email address you entered. You must click on that activation link in the email and enter the code from the email in order to activate your account.
- Click the Forms tab to the left (under any option listed, ex. Medical or Dental).
- Locate the Coordination of Benefits Online Form and click Open.
- Complete all appropriate information and submit.
Note: Your failure to complete this form will result in denial or delay of payment for all claims received.