COVID-19 Response & Resources

COVID-19 Updates & Resources

There has never been a more critical time for your insurance broker to show up for YOU and help YOU navigate the complicated path forward as the COVID-19 pandemic progresses. The good news is that our professional team has prepared for and trained for events like this. To that end, we wanted to make sure that we made as much up to date and relevant information available to you.

Know that the way insurance companies and coverages are responding to the various needs of our policyholders whether group benefits, commercial insurance, and personal insurance is constantly evolving. This includes payment accommodations, offering coverages not typically available or outside of typical timeframes, new ways to seek medical or dental services, and so much more. If you have any specific needs or questions, please reach out to us so that provide you with detailed information.

Our Response

This is an unprecedented time for our country. As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation continues to evolve rapidly throughout the world and the United States, we have a heightened sense of awareness at Branch Benefits Consultants of our responsibility to our employees, clients and partners. This includes doing our part to help prevent further outbreaks.

We have taken the following precautions:

Eliminated corporate travel
Eliminated all external meetings
Transitioned our staff to a rotating remote working schedule
Increased cleaning and disinfecting of our workspaces
Disseminated proper personal hygiene practices to our staff
Made it safe (both financially and with job security) for our staff to stay home if they are sick

We want to assure you that Branch Benefits Consultants is, and will remain, open for business. While they may not be physically in the office, our crew will remain available during our current operating hours of Monday – Thursday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm (closed 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm for lunch) and Friday from 8:00 am – 3:00 pm. All of our employees are dedicated to delivering responsive and exceptional service as we collectively adapt to a "new normal".

Learn more

Resources for EMPLOYERS

Commercial Insurance Implications & Information

How Coronavirus Could Impact Your Business’s Insurance

NCCI Publishes Changes to Workers Compensation Due to COVID-19

Resource Guide for COVID-19 Cybersecurity

Why Pandemic Coverage Is Not Included In Business Interruption Insurance

Work Comp Insights - Coronavirus Considerations

Workers Compensation Related Updates

To all of our clients that are either based in California or have California operations, we are aware of the recent proposed legislation by the head of the California Division of Insurance to require reimbursement of premiums for clients that have personal and commercial policies in place with California appointed carriers. We are monitoring this legislation closely and we are in contact with those carriers. At this time there has not been any updates on when and/or how this will be processed. It is our intention to continue to monitor this situation and update effected clients as soon as we hear more specific details from the carriers or DOI. We are advising our clients to continue to make their premium payments (if they can) and if there is a financial hardship to contact the carrier directly as many have instituted a hardship forbearance during this time. We are here to assist with that communication and to offer any other policy service needs.

Financial Assistance & IRS Information

CARES Act – Small Business Loan Overview

Coronavirus - Small Business Guidance & Loans

IRS Issues Guidance on Tax Credit for Coronavirus Paid Leave

IRS Provides More Options for Unused Funds in Health FSA and DCAPs

Paycheck Protection Program FAQs for Small Businesses

PPP Guidance for Employees Refusing to Return to Work

Save Small Business Fund

SBA Disaster Loan

Small Business Owner's Guide to the CARES Act

Stimulus Planner

Treasury Secretary Says More Funding Coming for Small Businesses

What to Do After Receiving a PPP Loan

Group Benefits Insurance Implications & Information

CARES Act Makes Changes for Retirement Plans

COVID-19 Scenarios and Benefits Available Table

FSA Eligible Expenses Expanded

HRA Eligible Expenses Expanded

HSA Eligible Expenses Expanded

Updating Health Plans for Coronavirus Changes

Human Resources & Compliance Information

DOL FAQs - Families First Coronavirus Response Act

DOL Guidance - Employer Paid Leave Requirements in the FFCRA

DOL FFCRA Regulations

DOL Now Fully Enforcing FFCRA Paid Leave Rules for Coronavirus

EEOC Delays EEO-1, EEO-3 and EEO-5 Reports Until 2021

EEOC Updates Employer Guidance on Coronavirus and the ADA

Employee Leave Sharing Programs and Coronavirus

Employee Retention Tax Credits for Businesses Impacted by Coronavirus

FFCRA Small Employer Exemption - DOL Guidance

FFCRA Tax Credit for Self-Employed Business Owners

HR Compliance Bulletin – Coronavirus and the Workplace

HR Insights - CDC Guidance for Employees Following a COVID-19 Diagnosis or Exposure

HR Insights - Conducting a Remote Layoff

HR Insights - Furloughs and Layoffs

HR Insights - Pre-Employment Screening Amid COVID-19

HR Insights - Reopening a Business After the Coronavirus Shutdown

New Coronavirus Relief Laws Require Paid Employee Leave

Preventing Remote Employee Burnout During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Unemployment Benefits for Coronavirus under the CARES Act

Mandates - Federal & Location Information

Nevada Health Response COVID-19 Risk Mitigation Initiative

Opening Up America Again Guidelines

OSHA & Safety Information

Checklist COVID 19 and Your Workplace

CVSA Delays Annual International Roadcheck

Coronavirus Disruptions to CMV Driver Drug and Alcohol Testing

Coronavirus Recording and Reporting Under OSHA Rules

Implementing Safety Practices for Critical Infrastructure Workers Who May Have Had Exposure to a Person with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19

OSHA Eases Enforcement of Respiratory Protection Standards During N95 Shortage

OSHA Enforcement Priorities During the Coronavirus Pandemic

OSHA Guidance on COVID 19

OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces

Reopening Strategy

Risk Insights – Protecting Workers From Coronavirus

Risk Insights - Reopening a Business After the Coronavirus Shutdown

Templates

Coronavirus Employee Letter Template

COVID-19 Action Plan - Standard and Protocols

Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act – Leave Request Form

Employee Work From Home Guide Template

Essential Business Identification (COVID-19)

Essential Worker Employee Communications Letter

Health Assessment Form

Notice Office Closure Poster Template

Sample Construction Delay Notice Letter - Coronavirus

Sample Notice of Furlough Due to Coronavirus

Resources for INDIVIDUALS

Auto, Home, & Life Insurance Implications & Information

Carrier Response to COVID-19 - Updated 4.17.20

CA Insurance Commissioner Premium Refund, Credits & Reductions Bulletin

Financial Assistance & Information

Bartender Emergency Assistance Program

CARES Act Allows Tax-free Student Loan Assistance

CCSD & Three Square Food Distribution

Eviction & Foreclosure Moratorium

IRS Section 139 Qualified Disaster Relief Payments and Coronavirus

Las Vegas Valley Water District COVID-19 Updates

Nevada211 Resource Center

NV Energy COVID-19 Updates

Republic Services COVID-19 Updates

Southwest Gas COVID-19 Updates

T-Mobile Arena Employee Assistance

Unemployment Resources

Health Insurance Implications & Information

FAQs on Essential Health Benefits Coverage for COVID 19

Silver State Health Exchange (Nevada Health Link): A one-time Exceptional Circumstance Special Enrollment Period (ECSEP) will run from March 17, 2020 through May 15, 2020 for qualified Nevadans who missed the Open Enrollment Period (OEP). For more information or to submit an application, call our office at 702-646-2082. Our licensed brokers can help you and/or your family and enroll you in the program.

Some States Require Insurance Protections Because of COVID-19

Telemedicine Basics

How to Help Small Businesses

10 Easy Ways to Support Small Business

List of Local Businesses Offering Carry-Out, Delivery, Gift Cards

General Health & Safety Information

Avoid Burnout While Working From Home During the COVID-19 Pandemic

CDC Guidance for Discontinuing Home Isolation

Community Service: Protect Yourself From Coronavirus Scams

Maintaining Well Being During A Quarantine

Meditation and Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Special Shopping Hours - Albertsons