Comparative Solutions - Blog #CoronavirusComparative Solutions - Blog #Coronavirushttps://www.comparativesolutions.com/blogs/tag/coronavirusSat, 19 Apr 2025 14:18:22 -0700http://zoho.com/sites/<![CDATA[Did You Know? New COVID-19 Guidance For Health Benefits]]>https://www.comparativesolutions.com/blogs/post/New-COVID19-Guidance
The world looks much different than it did a year ago.  The impacts of COVID-19 have been far-reaching – extending into the way we get our groceries, go to school, and even greet loved ones.  The rules of engagement have changed.  Managing health benefits is no exception. Over the last year, the federal government has made a number of legislative changes to health benefit coverage due to COVID-19.  While these new changes provide more comprehensive and long-term coverage during the pandemic, making sense of them has proven a difficult task, and keeping track of them has been overwhelming for administrators. 


 With the constant flow of information being released, it is easy to miss some significant benefit changes.  We have created a list of highlights to provide you with clear guidance in making benefit decisions. 



 Did You Know:


  • Several impactful new COBRA extensions have been released, including: 
    • Deferred COBRA Election Notices:  Usually, benefit plan administrators are required to send notices of continuing coverage within 14 days of a qualifying event.  However, due to the large number of layoffs and furloughs COVID has produced, employers now have up to 60 days after the Outbreak Period ends to provide election notices to qualified beneficiaries.  *The Outbreak Period runs from March 1, 2020 until 60 days after the announced end of the state of national emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
    • Larger COBRA Election Window: Those eligible to enroll in a COBRA plan now have an increased window to do so. Because the COBRA election period has been postponed, after a qualifying event, individuals may not be denied coverage, even if they haven’t enrolled in COBRA yet.  This not only means that qualified beneficiaries have more opportunity to shop around for different coverage for themselves, but they also have a much larger amount of time than the traditional 60-day window to deny COBRA coverage and then reverse that decision.
    • Deferred COBRA Payments: COBRA account holders can now defer their premium payments as they, too, have been postponed during the Outbreak Period.  Those newly enrolled are not required to make payment until 60 days after the Outbreak Period ends, while those already enrolled can defer until 30 days after the Outbreak Period has ended. 
  • Midyear Election Changes:  The IRS will allow more flexibility in making mid-year changes to Section 125 cafeteria plans.  Typically, selections must be made on the first day of the plan year and can rarely be changed.  However, due to the impacts of COVID-19, the IRS will allow employees to make mid-year election changes, including:
    • Enrolling in employer-sponsored health coverage if it was initially offered and declined.
    • Switching to a different employer-sponsored health plan.
    • Withdrawing from their current plan if they provide a written statement saying they are enrolled in (or will immediately enroll in) a health plan that is not provided by their employer.
    • For FSA and dependent care programs, revoking their plan choice, or changing their contribution to their current FSA or dependent care program account.
  • Telehealth Services: HDHPs with HSAs may now cover the cost of telehealth appointments and services before the plan deductible has been met.  This will be in effect until 12/31/21.
  • HRA Reimbursement:  According to the IRS, a health plan can reimburse an individual’s policy premiums for charges acquired “before the beginning of the plan year for coverage provided during the plan year.”  This means that you can utilize the benefits of the individual coverage HRA (1) the first of the month of coverage, (2) the first day of actual coverage, or (3) the date premium is paid.   
  • HDHP Coverage: If employees are enrolled in an HDHP plan, they can have the testing and treatment of COVID-19 waived before meeting their deductible.  If the health plan is classified as an HDHP but will cover the testing and medical treatment of COVID-19 before the deductible has been met, it will still qualify as an HDHP.  This will allow those enrolled in HDHPs to keep their coverage without jeopardizing their HSA eligibility.
  • FSA Rollover Increase:  The IRS has permanently increased the amount individuals with FSA accounts can roll from one year to the next.  The carryover amount for health FSAs, which was previously $500, has increased to $550.
  • Expansion of Reimbursable Expenses: Over the counter Medications can once again be reimbursed through HSA and FSA accounts without a prescription.  Account holders can be reimbursed for these items regardless of whether they are being used to treat COVID-19 related illness.  This is a permanent change.
  • Menstrual Care Products: Menstrual care items purchased after December 21, 2019 are now a qualified medical expense.  They are covered by HSA and FSA accounts, and they are eligible for reimbursement if they were purchased after 12/21/19. This is in effect indefinitely.


Understanding health benefits and providing the best options to employees was a challenge even before COVID-19.  Now keeping pace with all the new benefit changes can feel overwhelming.  Let Comparative Solutions help you manage the adjustments. From midyear election changes and handling reimbursement claims to providing notices and keeping records, we manage the details of benefit coverage, so employees have access to the healthcare they need without any of the confusion that usually accompanies change.


Comparative Solutions is a full service TPA proudly based in the Pacific Northwest.  With over a decade of experience working with brokers and employers, we provide Commuter, FSA, HRA, HSA, and COBRA benefits administration.  Whatever you're looking for, we've got you covered. Call or email us today, and let us find the right solution for you! 







]]>Thu, 11 Feb 2021 22:01:48 -0800<![CDATA[New Special Enrollment Period Coming Soon]]>https://www.comparativesolutions.com/blogs/post/New-Special-Enrollment-Period-Coming-SoonWe’ve all been there.  You wake up with a tickle in the back of your throat that you assume came from a night of hard sleep.  You tell yours ]]>

We’ve all been there.  You wake up with a tickle in the back of your throat that you assume came from a night of hard sleep.  You tell yourself it’s nothing; you’ll be fine.  You try to move on, but by the time 5 o’clock rolls around, you feel like you are swallowing shards of glass and just want to curl up with a blanket and a mug of something hot.  When that little tickle turns into an unexpected trip to Urgent Care, having insurance coverage can ensure sure you don’t leave with a surprise $1000 bill to go along with that positive diagnosis and prescription.  If you are one of the many Americans lacking sufficient health coverage, or if you didn’t purchase health insurance during Open Enrollment, you have another opportunity to make sure you are covered.      


Due to the impacts of COVID-19, the President has issued an executive order to provide a special enrollment period (SEP) that will run from February 15 – May 15, 2021, with coverage becoming effective beginning March 1st – June 1st, allowing people without health insurance to enroll in a healthcare plan through the Federal and State Exchanges.  This special enrollment period will be for those who are currently uninsured, including those with short-term limited duration plans, and those participating in health sharing ministries or in a COBRA plan who would like a different option. 

Usually, individuals can only enroll in healthcare during the annual Open Enrollment period that typically occurs in November each year or when they experience a qualifying event, such as a change in employment or marital status.  However, due to the current health crisis, the Federal and State Exchange will be allowing people another opportunity to enroll in a health plan if they did not choose to purchase healthcare coverage during the annual Open Enrollment period.  It is important to note that those who are currently enrolled in a healthcare plan through the exchange cannot change plans unless they experience a qualifying event.


All marketplaces using the Healthcare.gov platform, or their state’s platform, are adopting the same flexibility of the Federal Exchange, making it easier for people looking for coverage to enroll in the right plan to meet their needs, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. 


If you are uninsured and would like to take advantage of this special enrollment period, let us help!  Comparative Solutions is a group of insurance enthusiasts who thrive helping people understand insurance. With over a decade of experience, we can help you find the right plan for your needs and budget.  We simplify insurance, handling all the red tape and confusing language for you and saving you time and money in the process. The best part?  We do not charge our clients for our services.  There is never a cost to work with us. If you already have an account through the Washington Health Plan Finder, we can still guide you through the process.  You can simply connect to us as your broker for year-round assistance.  Call or email us today, and let us find the right solution for you! 



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