Covid-19 | Member Resource

HRA Update

For group health plans subject to Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code, the relief allows additional deadline time through the “Outbreak Period.”

The “Outbreak Period” began March 1, 2020 and will end 60 days after the date the federal government declares the COVID-19 national emergency has ended (date yet to be determined) or another date announced by the DOL and Treasury in a future notice. The rule provides that, in regard to ERISA, the Outbreak Period may not be longer than one year.

FAQs

There have been a lot of changes during this past month as the nation deals with COVID-19. This list will hopefully help you find the answers you need regarding your health accounts and the recent changes.

Have more questions? Contact us.

HRA
  • My health care FSA or HRA claims runout occurred during the Outbreak Period, so what is my claims runout deadline?

    Any days during the "Outbreak Period" (starting March 1, 2020) are disregarded. We will not know the exact date until the federal government declares the COVID-19 national emergency has ended.

  • Will prior denied claims that are now eligible be reprocessed?

    HealthEquity will not go back and proactively re-process claims previously denied.

    You can:

    • Resubmit claims; or

    • When you call Member Services, a case can be submitted. The claim will then be reprocessed provided all other required documentation is present

  • What is the impact to my claim appeal deadline?

    Any days during the "Outbreak Period" (starting March 1, 2020) are disregarded. We will not know the exact date of your appeal deadline until the federal government declares the COVID-19 national emergency has ended. Any deadlines ending prior to March 1, 2020 are not affected by this guidance. Again, the Outbreak Period would be disregarded when determining the end of your appeal period. Since her 180-day period began before March 1, however, that portion would still be included in the calculation. You would, therefore, be afforded 148 days (subtracting the 32-day period between January 28 and March 1) from the end of the Outbreak Period, which would be November 24, 2020.