Salem – The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services
issued a new emergency order for health insurance companies during the COVID-19
outbreak.
The order requires health insurance companies to:
- Provide at least a 60-day grace period to pay any past due premiums
- Pay claims for any covered services during the first 30 days of the grace
period
- Extend all deadlines for reporting claims and other communications, and
provide members with communication options that meet physical distancing
standards
“It is encouraging to see the state’s health insurers step
up to support both their customers and health care providers during this time,”
said Andrew Stolfi, insurance commissioner and DCBS acting director. “Providing
grace periods and paying claims will provide peace of mind for Oregonians and
help health care providers get paid for these essential services when they
need it the most.”
The order enables Oregonians to continue receiving health
insurance coverage and have their claims paid. It also ensures health care
providers receive payment for the services they are diligently providing their
patients as the COVID-19 outbreak continues to disrupt everyone’s daily lives
and the state’s ordinary course of business.
The order is in effect through June 3 and can be extended
in 30-day increments during the course of the COVID-19 outbreak.
It is important to note, this order does not apply to self-insured
plans. The state encourages self-insured plans to follow these same guidelines.
These are plans in which an employer assumes the financial risk of providing
health care benefits to its employees. Oregonians who have a self-insured plan
should check with their employer about their coverage options.
If you have questions about your insurance coverage, contact
your insurance provider. If you have questions about a health insurance company
or agent or need to file a complaint, call the Division of Financial Regulation’s
advocacy team at 888-877-4894 (toll-free) or visit dfr.oregon.gov.
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About DCBS: The Department of Consumer
and Business Services is Oregon's largest business regulatory and consumer
protection agency. For more information, visit www.dcbs.oregon.gov.
About Oregon DFR: The Division of Financial
Regulation is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s
largest business regulatory and consumer protection agency. Visit www.dcbs.oregon.gov and http://dfr.oregon.gov/Pages/index.aspx.