In these unprecedented and uncertain times, I want you to know, first and foremost, that Alegeus is here for you. We are in this together, and we’re working hard every day to prove it.
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hile we aim to continue business as usual, we want to go well above and beyond that. We’re executing tirelessly on your behalf, with added diligence, greater efficiency and increased communication so that we all come out ahead. We’re also keeping our ears, minds and hearts open. If you have questions, please ask. If you have concerns, please share them. If you need support, please let us know, and we will work with you to find the right solution.
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ne of the hardest parts of this situation is not knowing the duration or impact. We’re here to help provide clarity on how COVID-19 is affecting our industry, as well as guidance on how to adjust to this new normal. We hope the resources on this page help you make sense of things, take the appropriate steps forward, and achieve the best outcomes for your organization. As we weather this storm together, you can count on us to keep you informed. Wishing you health, resolve, and hope in the weeks and months to come.
COBRA During COVID-19 and Beyond: Worth the Price?
News alert: Deadline relief for health benefit claims, COBRA elections and more
Benefits of Telehealth Will Stay Long After COVID-19 Has Gone
How to Stay Healthy, Productive and Sane During COVID-19: List of Resources
The CARES Act: Potential Impact on COBRA
How Furloughs Will Affect Employee Benefit Accounts
How Small Businesses Can Receive Money From the Coronavirus Relief Bill
How HSAs, FSAs and HRAs Affect the Tax Credit for COVID-19 Required Paid Leave
COVID-19 and Consumer-Directed Healthcare (CDH): Answers to Your Legal and Compliance Questions
What the Addition of Newly Eligible OTC Items Will Mean for CDH Administrators
News Alert: Trump Signs $2 Trillion Stimulus Bill with Implications for Consumer-Directed Healthcare
News Alert: ECFC Proposes Legislation on Behalf of CDHPs During COVID-19 Pandemic
IRS Extends Deadline for Contributing to HSAs
White House Signs Sweeping Coronavirus Sick Leave Act Into Law
ECFC Proposes Legislation on Behalf of CDHPs During COVID-19 Pandemic
Coronavirus Testing and Treatment Covered by HDHPs
Can employers extend the FSA run-out deadline due to COVID-19?
Assessing the Impact of COVID-19 On Your Benefit Account Administration Business
In this webinar, we’ll share data you can use to assess the impact to your business and strategies for emerging from the crisis stronger than before.
COVID-19: Ask the Regulatory/Compliance Expert
Jason Lacey, Attorney and Partner at Foulston Siefkin LLP answers CDH legal and compliance questions related to COVID-19.
The Employee Care Card gives employers a highly flexible and configurable way to provide financial aid to their employees. And you well positioned to deliver this added value.
Show employees you care by giving them financial assistance to address some of their most basic needs during a time of crisis
How it works:
1. Designate an amount
Set the amount the employer wants to make available for each employee
2. Determine spending categories
Set the type of expenses allowed and where employees use their cards
3. Place your order
We will send pre-loaded debit cards directly to employees
4. Add additional dollars
Reload money to employee cards as needed
5. Keep track of expenses
Get a real-time view into employee spending
Get started with the Employee Care Card
Check back soon for valuable tools for benefits administrators.
As most businesses move their teams to work-from-home, learn about best practices for maintaining productivity - even with kids running around.
Parenting during coronavirus: What to know about play dates, online learning and more
Health Innovators Offer Their Tools for Free During the COVID-19 Outbreak
In times of crisis and uncertainty, keeping cool ain't easy. Use these resources to help keep your mind and body in check.
How To Step Up Your Leadership In Times Of Adversity
K Health: Free Virtual Primary Care For Coronavirus
Managing mental health during coronavirus - experts around the world share insights
As we stay at home or practice social distancing, here are a few ways to keep in contact with friends and family.
Coping with COVID-19: Ideas for Staying Connected in this Time of Social Distancing.
The Best Video Chat Apps To Turn Social Distancing Into Distant Socializing
Is it permissible for employers to extend the FSA reimbursement submission deadline?
Yes, it is permissible for employers to extend the deadline for submission of claim documentation. There is no legal rule regarding the length of the runout period for an FSA. A runout period of 90 days or 3 months is common, but nothing prohibits having a longer period. The only specific requirement is that the expense must have been incurred during the plan year. If you do decide to extend the runout period, ensure you do so uniformly. Read more here.
How will consumers respond to the crisis from a spending perspective?
Workplace closures and social distancing measures will impact how consumers use their accounts and debit cards. Consumers will forgo trips to physical retailers or service providers. The industry should expect an increase in card transactions at online pharmacy, retail and medical device suppliers.
What are the contents of ECFC’s proposal to the Senate’s Finance Committee related to consumer-directed health plans?
On March 19, ECFC sent a letter to Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA), Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee – the tax-writing committee in the Senate – providing a number of proposals related to consumer-directed health plans. The letter touches on COBRA premium eligibility, over-the-counter eligibility, FSA carryover limit expansion, HSA expansion, and dependent care assistance limit adjustments.
What risks are posed to my business as a TPA?
COVID-19 creates new risks for your business. Employer solvency issues can lead to major financial and collection risks for your organization. It is very important that you understand the significant risks this poses for your business, not just due to lost PAPM fees in the event of employer reductions-in-force or bankruptcies, but because you as the administrator are ultimately responsible for any missed or failed account contributions. Based on the significant additional risk imposed by the current COVID-19 environment, Alegeus is implementing added controls to protect your business from financial risk.
Are COVID-19 tests pre- or post-deductible for HDHP members?
The IRS has issued Notice 2020-15, which allows high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) to cover testing and treatment for COVID-19 pre-deductible. This means testing and treatment are considered a qualified medical expense under an HDHP, and people can use health savings account (HSA) funds to pay for it. The IRS and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have instructed health plans to offer no-cost testing, and health plans have announced such tests for those with HDHPs will be pre-deductible so people won’t shy away from testing due to cost. Read more here.
What is Alegeus doing to help protect us from any business risk?
At Alegeus, our first commitment is to you, our clients, and to our collective businesses and employees. We take our role as your trusted partner very seriously, and believe that part of our role is to help you identify and mitigate business risks. To help in this regard, Alegeus is monitoring account contributions and settlement activities closely. However, based on the significant additional risk imposed by the current COVID-19 environment, we are implementing added controls to protect your business from financial risk.
