Shepherd and Associates Insurance Services Inc.

COVID-19 update for Blue Shield members In an ongoing effort to meet the needs of the times, Blue Shield of California is extending cost-sharing waivers through December 31, 2020 for COVID-19 treatment and for Teladoc virtual medicine visits. Treatment...Continue reading

New!! Pandemic Protection Insurance, Now Available - https://mailchi.mp//new-pandemic-protection-insurance-now-

The IRS has released 2021 HSA Limits https://www.basiconline.com/blog/2021-hsa-limits-irs/

Small Business Alert If you applied for the PPP loan, President Trump is expected to sign new legislation extending the time allowed to spend PPP loan from 8 weeks to 24 weeks. Please read article below.

http://www.shepherd-insurance.com//kaiser-offers-calm-app-

http://www.shepherd-insurance.com//kaiser-covid-19-return-

http://www.shepherd-insurance.com//irs-allowable-changes-t

Our guidance on preparing companies to return employees to work safely.

UPDATE on 2nd Round of Stimulus Funding for Small Businesses Yesterday, April 23, 2020, Congress has passed and authorized the second round of stimulus funding with $370 billion for small businesses. For more information for businesses with less than 500 employees, visit: ... https://www.sba.gov//coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-g If you need additional resources/guidance, do not hesitate to reach out to our team at Shepherd & Associates Insurance Services.

Sutter Health Plus Takes Additional Steps to Help Members During Pandemic April 23, 2020 Sutter Health Plus is committed to ensuring members have access to the care they need, especially at a time when people are concerned about their health. Today, the health plan is announcing its decision to waive cost-sharing for members who receive covered services related to treatment of a COVID-19 diagnosis through Sept. 30, 2020, or uses telehealth to seek care for covered services th...rough Dec. 31, 2020. We want our members to stay safe and healthy and we are pleased to take additional steps to make it easier for our members to access care, said Sutter Health Plus CEO Brian Fellner. We believe our member-focused actions to expand coverage and access to care is another way we help our members. COVID-19 Screening and Testing As previously announced, members have no cost-share for services related to screening and testing for COVID-19. COVID-19 Treatment Members diagnosed with COVID-19 have no cost-share for covered services related to treatment from February through the end of September 2020. This includes, but is not limited to, PCP office visits, urgent care visits, emergency department visits, inpatient hospital stays, telehealth visits, and lab tests. Members are responsible for the appropriate cost-shares for outpatient prescription drugs. Telehealth Services To encourage social distancing that helps keep our members and clinicians safe, members have no cost-share for telehealth visits for covered services from April through the end of December 2020. A member can check with their provider office to see if they offer telehealth services, or they can schedule a visit with another licensed clinician through My Health Online from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week, including most holidays. Additionally, members who use telehealth for mental health services will have no cost-share from April through the end of December 2020. A member can self-refer and schedule a video visit with a participating licensed mental health provider at liveandworkwell.com or by calling U.S. Behavioral Health Plan, California at 855-202-0984. Additional Resources Visit Information About Your COVID-19 Coverage and Cost Share, the Sutter Health FAQs and the CDC website for up-to-date COVID-19 information. See more

The Senate Passes New Pandemic Relief Package: http://www.shepherd-insurance.com//senate-passes-new-pande

Update on SBA PPP Loans from our friends at Castellon Professional Services http://www.shepherd-insurance.com//update-on-sba-ppp-loan-

To assure you are aware of CA State FTB tax collection actions during COVID-19 pandemic, providing the latest notice from the FTB below. For individuals and entities with Installment Agreements, required to "request to skip payments" either online https://webapp.ftb.ca.gov/EIA/checkstatus or call 800-689-4776. Suggest calling as online requires SSN and original Confirmation Number to access and concurrently contact your bank to suspend auto debit from April 2020 to July 2020. Read more on our post: http://www.shepherd-insurance.com//cps-notice-ca-state-ftb