On February 3, 2022, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced that the state’s public health emergency proclamation for COVID-19 would end on February 15, 2022, which was initially signed in March 2020. Though most of the provisions that are expiring apply to healthcare settings, employers should be aware of the changes.

Proclamation of Disaster Emergency, February 3, 2022 »

Under the final legislation (House File 902) issued on October 29, 2021, an employer must waive its COVID-19 vaccine requirements if an employee submits a statement that the vaccine would be harmful to the health and well-being of the employee or an individual residing with the employee, or that the vaccine conflicts with the employee’s religious practices. Further, an employee who is discharged for refusing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine will not be disqualified from unemployment benefits. For employers that discharge employees for reusing the vaccine, the contribution rate and unemployment experience will not change.

Employers should be aware of this legislation.

House File 902 »

On March 8, 2021, Insurance Commissioner Ommen released Bulletin 21-02, extending the ability of health insurance carriers in the individual and small group market to continue transitional health insurance plans through calendar year 2022.

On January 19, 2021, CMS provided guidance for a transition policy extension that allows insurers the option to renew non-grandfathered non-ACA-compliant plans, as long as the state allows for such an extension. Such transition policies are not required to be in compliance with certain ACA mandates including community rating, coverage of essential health benefits, prohibition on pre-existing condition exclusions and the annual out-of-pocket maximum limit. This bulletin applies this most recent federal extension to Iowa and allows the issuer to renew these non-ACA compliant plans.

Small employers that are interested in renewing their non-ACA-compliant plan issued in the state should work with their advisors and insurers.

Bulletin 21-02 »

On June 22, 2020, Commissioner Omen released Bulletin 20-10, which specifies the COVID-19 testing services that must be covered by insured plans written out of Iowa. Specifically, broad population-based serologic or antigen testing that is ordered by a healthcare provider is required to be covered by health insurance. However, tests that employers require for employees to return to work are not a covered service under Iowa health plans.

Plan sponsors in Iowa should be aware of this guidance.

Bulletin 20-10 »

On March 27, 2020, Insurance Commissioner Ommen released Bulletin 20-06 to increase the availability and usage of telehealth services. The bulletin directs health carriers licensed in Iowa to cover telehealth services on the same basis and at the same rate as the health carrier would apply to the health care services provided in person. The bulletin also directs carriers to work with health care professionals to increase access to all telehealth services (and not just those services utilized due to COVID-19).

Insurers are required to comply with this bulletin, but employers should also familiarize themselves with the Commissioner’s directive.

Bulletin 20-06 »

On March 19, 2020, Insurance Commissioner Ommen released Bulletin 20-04 to assist individuals and entities regulated by the Iowa Insurance Division who are impacted by the COVID-19 epidemic and the resulting economic disruptions.

Commissioner Ommen requests that insurers and health maintenance organizations licensed in the state allow a premium payment grace period to any individual or health benefit plan issued to small employers.

Small employers in Iowa should consider this guidance and contact their insurer if they have a need for a premium payment grace period.

Bulletin 20-04 »

On February 25, 2020, Insurance Commissioner Ommen released Bulletin 20-01, extending the ability of health insurance carriers in the individual and small group market to continue transitional health insurance plans through calendar year 2021.

As background, on January 31, 2020, CMS provided guidance for a transition policy extension that allows insurers the option to renew non-grandfathered non-ACA-compliant plans, as long as the state allows for such an extension. Such transition policies are not required to be in compliance with certain ACA mandates including community rating, coverage of essential health benefits, prohibition on pre-existing condition exclusions and the annual out-of-pocket maximum limit. This bulletin applies this most recent federal extension to Iowa and allows the issuer to renew these non-ACA-compliant plans.

Small employers that are interested in renewing their non-ACA-compliant plan should work with their advisors and insurers.

Bulletin 20-01 »

On April 4, 2019, Ins. Commissioner Ommen released Bulletin 19-02, extending the ability of health insurance carriers in the individual and small group market to continue transitional health insurance plans that renew for a policy year starting on or before October 1, 2020, as long as the transitional policy ends by December 31, 2020.

As background, on March 25, 2019, CMS provided guidance for a transition policy extension that allows insurers the option to renew non-grandfathered non-ACA-compliant plans, as long as the state allows for such an extension. Such transition policies are not required to be in compliance with certain ACA mandates including community rating, coverage of essential health benefits, prohibition on pre-existing condition exclusions and the annual out-of-pocket maximum limit. This bulletin applies this most recent federal extension to Iowa and allows the issuer to renew these non-ACA compliant plans.

Small employers that are interested in renewing their non-ACA-compliant plan should work with their advisors and insurers.

Bulletin 19-02 »

On March 29, 2018, Gov. Reynolds signed HF 2305 into law, creating Acts Chapter 1055. This law requires insurers to cover telehealth services to the same extent as comparable services not offered by telehealth. Specifically, a policy, contract or plan providing for third-party payment or prepayment of health or medical expenses shall not discriminate between coverage benefits for health care services that are provided in person and the same health care services that are delivered through telehealth. This law is effective in Iowa on or after Jan. 1, 2019.

Acts Chapter 1055 »

On April 19, 2018, Iowa Insurance Commissioner Ommen released Bulletin 18-01 related to the extension of non-ACA-compliant small group and individual policies and plans. As background, on April 9, 2018, the federal government announced an additional transition policy that allows insurers (if allowed by the state) to renew non-grandfathered non-ACA-compliant plans (this transitional relief has been extended several times). Such policies aren’t required to be in compliance with certain ACA mandates, including community rating, coverage of essential health benefits, prohibition on pre-existing condition exclusions and the annual out-of-pocket maximum limit.

The bulletin states that Iowa will allow insurers to renew policies in the individual market and the small group market as long as the policy ends by Dec. 31, 2019, according to the extended transitional policy. Employers with non-ACA-compliant plans should work with their insurer and advisor on any policy extension.

Bulletin 18-01 »