The Coronavirus: What Insurance Will and Won’t Do.
What We Know Today -1,300 Known Cases in the US https://informationisbeautiful.net/visualizations/covid- 19-coronavirus-infographic-datapack/ (Epicenters: Seattle, Bay Area, and New York) https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html - 3-5 day incubation period and two week suggested quarantine time.
Keep Your Employees Safe - Focus on cleanliness. - Strongly advise all possible action for “Work from Home” or sick time use for your employees. - Be strict with anyone who has any similar symptoms to COVID-19 - CDC: “ characterized by mild symptoms including a runny nose, sore throat, cough, and fever. Illness can be more severe for some people and can lead to pneumonia or breathing difficulties.” - Awaiting possible federal action on sick leave.
Workers Compensation and OSHA COVID-19 may be a covered Workers Compensation claim. “There still will have to be evidence of a work-related exposure. But if the exposure is documented, the likelihood is that claimants in these positions will be able to successfully argue that their jobs put them at greater risk of exposure of the virus than the general public ” - SHRM.org - OSHA has deemed Covid-19 a “recordable illness” - Any infections need to be recorded on your OSHA 300/301 forms. https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/standards.html
Workers Compensation - Possible Claims Examples ● Employees who travel overseas for business and contract the illness. ● Employees who are exposed to the illness at work by an infected coworker. ● Employees who are assigned to work in a location with infected parties. - From ICW bulletin, 3/5/19
Property and General Liability - There is no coverage for Business Interruption due to loss of employees time or mandatory quarantine caused by a virus - We do not expect this coverage to be available in time to apply for this outbreak. It is currently unavailable. - We do not expect funding disruption from Insurance contracts or DSS. - If the virus is present at a location, there may be coverage for decontamination costs under Pollution Legal Liability.
Health Insurance - Gov. Newsom’s mandated all health insurance carriers must lower to zero the cost for screening for the virus, including co-pays, deductibles, and co-insurance. - The directive also states that insurers must waive pre-authorization when the care involves COVID-19, permit out-of-network care when required, and specifically includes telehealth or virtual visits. - Please be aware the ongoing care, if hospitalized, will be covered at your plans ‘Inpatient’ care copay and coinsurance amounts, up to your out-of-pocket maximum (as usual). - Be sure to implement EAP’s and short-term and long-term Disability coverages.
What Could be Coming... - New business interruption forms to cover viral outbreaks. - Kaiser and other health carriers developing antidote and procedures for preventative care in the future. - Hopeful to see the apex, any reduction in new cases. - Further Federal action expected.
Questions? Levi Gelineau Chris Stickney Levi@ua-insurance.com Chris@ua-insurance.com 818-295-2267 805-795-7676
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