UnitedHealthcare Offers Special Enrollment in Response to COVID-19
Eligible employees can sign up for healthcare through April 6
UnitedHealthcare has opened a special enrollment period for some of its existing customers in response to COVID-19, according to a news release.
The enrollment period began March 23 and will end April 6, 2020. The selections will go in effect on April 1.
Under the special enrollment:
- Eligible employees not currently enrolled in their company’s plan can sign up for coverage
- Eligible employees may elect to add their dependents to their existing plan (spouse, partner, or children)
Employees can’t change their plan, or move from one plan to another.
UnitedHealthcare is one of the first health insurance companies to announce they are allowing people to sign up for coverage outside of normal open enrollment periods.
In addition, UnitedHealthcare is temporarily suspending or relaxing certain policies (such as prior authorization requirements) in impacted areas, waiving cost-sharing for COVID-19 tests, and expanding access to telehealth.
The Minnetonka, Minn.-based company is the country’s largest health insurer, contracting with more than 1.3 million physicians and care professionals, and 6,500 hospitals and other care facilities nationwide.
Learn more about UHC’s response to COVID-19 on its website.
