COBRA is Free For Six Months Under the COVID Relief Bill - Los Angeles Times
Americans who lost a job in the last 18 months are able to stay on or join their former employer’s healthcare plan for free through Sept. 30. That provision of the American Rescue Plan Act went into effect April 1. More than 2 million people could benefit, according to the Congressional Budget Office. The way it works is through the federally administered program known as COBRA. If you work at a company with more than 20 employees and lose your job, you can remain on your employer-sponsored health insurance plan for 18 months through COBRA. Read more.
Bill Protecting Pennsylvania Businesses From COVID Related Lawsuits Advances in Harrisburg
The Pennsylvania House has passed resurrected legislation seeking to provide additional lawsuit protections for businesses facing legal claims arising out of COVID-19-related injuries or deaths. “These liability protections are targeted, narrow in scope and temporary, which Pennsylvania businesses desperately need as they struggle to overcome the economic challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has placed on them,” said Gene Barr, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry. Read more.
Moderna Immunity Wanes 6 Months in but Still Protective
Wonderful. Awesome. Fantastic. Those are the adjectives Emory University researcher Mehul Suthar used to describe the immunity levels seen just after the second dose of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine. But Suthar and colleagues at Emory’s Vaccine Center found that stunning immunity dulled after six months but not to such an extent that the vaccine was ineffective. In fact, Suthar estimated that in three age groups studied – 18-to-55, 56-to-70 and 71-and-older – neutralizing antibodies should linger for one to two years. Read more.
NAHU | DOL Releases Info on COBRA Premium Assistance
The Department of Labor released a long-awaited host of resources Wednesday on the changes to COBRA made by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The guidance includes FAQs, five Model Notices and election forms, and a new page dedicated to COBRA premium subsidy guidance on the DOL website. Read more.
UPMC Health Plan | COVID-19 Vaccine Availability
On March 31st, Pennsylvania expanded phase 1A vaccine eligibility, and on April 5 phase 1B was opened. All Pennsylvanians age 16 and older will be eligible to be vaccinated beginning April 19th. Read more.
Join us at Pennie's Outreach & Education Workgroup On Friday
Join the Pennie leadership for an informative webinar. The Broker Working Group meets the second Friday of each month to discuss details of Pennie enrollment and updates on guidelines and training necessary for Brokers to work in Pennsylvania’s marketplace for individuals and families. Join the meeting.
Pennie: What Effective Date Will My Client Receive?
Check out this Special Election Period Quick Reference Chart. Read more.
COVID-19 Relief Enrollment Period
Pennie Enrollment has been extended until August 15th, 2021. Read more.
Pennie News & Updates
Find out what's new with Pennie on our resources page, including downloads, links, and events. See more.
Highmark SEP Bonus
Check out this incentive program for new to Highmark ACA individual market enrollment with March – June effective dates. Payment will apply to total members, not contracts and will pay in July, 2021. There is no minimum requirement to be eligible and no cap to the incentive. Payout will apply to any SEP submitted with March – June effective dates. Read more.
Kansas City Life | Group Benefits Helping You Grow
There's a wonderful stroke of good luck in store for you again this year when you combine your hard work and loyalty with Kansas City Life Insurance Company's Group Benefits Bonus Incentive Program. Read more.
UPMC Health Plan | We Introduce “The Better Option” Producer Incentive for Individual Sales
UPMC Health Plan has two ways to help you earn incentives during Pennie’s COVID-19 special enrollment period (SEP). Enroll qualifying individuals between February 15 - May 15, 2021, with March - June 2021 effective dates, to qualify for the incentives below. Read more.
