Emergency Grace Period Premium Deferral Program

Emergency Grace Period for IHC members with APTC

Per New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI) Bulletin No. 20-11, Horizon BCBSNJ is offering you an extra one-month emergency grace period should you be unable to make your premium payments for health and/or dental coverage. This is in addition to the existing 90-day grace period you have. During this one-month emergency period, Horizon BCBSNJ will not terminate your policy for nonpayment of premium. However, you remain responsible to pay the premiums due for that period per the repayment terms below.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this emergency grace period, your account must have been in good standing as of March 1, 2020. The emergency grace period may apply for either your April premium that was due on April 1, or your May premium due on May 1. If you already missed your April 1 premium payment deadline, you are currently covered under this one-month emergency grace period.

Repayment

If you take advantage of the emergency grace period, you must repay your health and/or dental premiums in full, in equal installments over the remaining months of your policy term. The payment period begins after the emergency grace period ends, and the deferred premium installment payments will be in addition to your existing monthly premium. You must make both your monthly premium and deferred premium installment payments to keep coverage active. If you can, we encourage you to pay your deferred premiums sooner.

How to Make a Premium Payment

You can make your premium payments by personal check, credit card, debit card, ACH transaction, through your bank’s online banking service and MoneyGram. These options are available online and over the phone.

If you need information about your coverage or how to pay your premiums, sign in to the Horizon Blue app or our secure member web portal at HorizonBlue.com to Chat with a Member Service Representative or send an email with your questions. You can also call us at 1-800-355-BLUE (2583).

Emergency Grace Period for IHC members with NO APTC

Per New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI) Bulletin No. 20-11, Horizon BCBSNJ is extending your health and dental premium payment grace period from 31 days to 60 calendar days should you be unable to make your premium payments for health and/or dental coverage. During this 60-day emergency period, Horizon BCBSNJ will not terminate your policy for nonpayment of premium. However, you remain responsible to pay the premiums due for that period per the repayment terms below.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this emergency grace period, your account must have been in good standing as of March 1, 2020. The emergency grace period may apply beginning with either your April premium that was due on April 1, or your May premium due on May 1. If you already missed your April 1 premium payment deadline, you are currently covered under the emergency grace period.

Repayment

How to Make a Premium Payment

Emergency Grace Period for Fully Insured Small Employer Groups

Per New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI) Bulletin No. 20-12, and upon the small employer’s request made by completing and submitting an Emergency Grace Period Premium Deferral Agreement, Horizon BCBSNJ will extend the health and/or dental premium payment grace period for small employer customers from 31 calendar days to 60 calendar days. During this 60-day emergency period, Horizon BCBSNJ will not terminate the small employer’s group policy for nonpayment of premium. However, the small employer remains responsible to pay the premiums due for that period per the repayment terms below.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this emergency grace period, the small employer’s group account with Horizon BCBSNJ must have been in good standing as of March 1, 2020. The emergency grace period may start with either the April or the May coverage, and to the premiums due for those months covered by the emergency grace period. If the small employer group already missed the April premium payment, the group is currently covered under the emergency grace period.

Repayment

If the small employer group takes advantage of the emergency grace period, the group will have six months to repay the deferred health and/or dental premiums in full. The payment period begins after the emergency grace period ends, and the deferred premium installment payments will be in addition to the existing monthly premium. The small employer group must make both the monthly premium and deferred premium installment payments to keep coverage active. If possible, we encourage employers to pay the deferred premiums sooner.

View Premium Deferral Scenarios here.

Extra Help Is Available

We encourage employers to apply for the help available from state and federal programs. Under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), many employers are eligible for an expanded business loan including a forgivable loan that will cover payroll expenses including premiums for coverage. More information is available on the U.S. Small Business Administration website or the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce website. Additionally, New Jersey offers employers help under the emergency assistance loan program through the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. More information is available at cv.business.nj.gov.

Each employer signing an Emergency Grace Period Premium Deferral Agreement with Horizon BCBSNJ to extend their grace period shall make a good faith effort to apply for help available under these programs.

Renewals During the Emergency Grace Period and Other Administrative Changes

Small employers with renewals occurring in March 2020, through the end of the state of emergency period will be eligible for renewal with Horizon BCBSNJ. If the small employer group already received a termination notice based on the small employer certification, that termination notice is hereby rescinded.

Horizon BCBSNJ will also waive any waiting periods for re-hired employees and relax full-time requirements under the policy to continue coverage for employees with reduced hours.

How to Make Premium Payments

Small employer customers can make premium payments by check, credit card, debit card, ACH transaction, through their bank’s online banking service and MoneyGram. These options are available online and over the phone.

Small employer groups with questions about deferring or making premium payments should contact their brokers.

Emergency Grace Period for Fully Insured Large Employer Groups

Per New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI) Bulletin No. 20-13, Horizon BCBSNJ will extend the health and/or dental premium payment grace period for qualifying large employer customers to 60 calendar days. A large employer qualifies only if it can demonstrate financial hardship directly caused by COVID-19. The employer’s senior financial officer or certified public accountant must attest to the employer’s financial hardship and submit the attestation together with the Emergency Grace Period Premium Deferral Agreement outlining the repayment terms. During this 60-day emergency period, Horizon BCBSNJ will not terminate your group’s policy for nonpayment of premium.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this emergency grace period, the employer’s account with Horizon BCBSNJ must have been in good standing as of March 1, 2020. The emergency grace period may be applied to the April or May premium.

Repayment

If you take advantage of the emergency grace period, your group will have at least six months over the remaining months of the policy to repay the deferred health and dental premiums in full. The payment period begins after the emergency grace period ends, and the deferred premium installment payments will be in addition to your existing monthly premium. You must make both your monthly premium and deferred premium installment payments to keep coverage active. If you can, we encourage you to pay your deferred premiums sooner.

View Premium Deferral Scenarios here.

Extra Help Is Available

We encourage employers to apply for the help available from state and federal programs. Under the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), many employers are eligible for an expanded business loan including a forgivable loan that will cover your payroll expenses including premiums for your coverage. More information is available on the U.S. Small Business Administration website or the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce website. Additionally, New Jersey offers employers help under the emergency assistance loan program through the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. More information is available at cv.business.nj.gov.

Renewals During the Emergency Grace Period and Other Administrative Changes

Horizon BCBSNJ will waive participation requirements for renewals between March 2020, and the end of the state of emergency.

In addition, Horizon BCBSNJ will waive any waiting periods for re-hired employees and relax full-time requirements under the policy to continue coverage for employees with reduced hours.

How to Make Premium Payments

Large employer customers can make premium payments by check, ACH transaction and wire transfer.

Please contact your Horizon BCBSNJ account manager or consultant if you need more information about deferring premium payments or how to make a premium payment.

Emergency Grace Period for Medicare Supplemental (Individual)

Per New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI) Bulletin No. 20-14, Horizon BCBSNJ is extending your Medicare Supplemental plan premium payment grace period to 60 calendar days should you be unable to make your premium payment. During this 60-day emergency period, Horizon BCBSNJ will not terminate your policy for nonpayment of premium. However, you remain responsible to pay the premiums due for that period per the repayment terms below.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this emergency grace period, your account must have been in good standing as of March 1, 2020. The emergency grace period may apply beginning with either your April premium that was due on April 1, or May premium due on May 1. If you already missed your April 1 premium payment deadline, you are currently covered under the emergency grace period.

Repayment

If you take advantage of the emergency grace period, you will have at least six months over the remaining months of the policy to repay your premiums in full, in equal installments. The payment period begins after the emergency grace period ends, and the deferred premium installment payments will be in addition to your existing monthly premium. You must make both your monthly premium and deferred premium installment payments to keep coverage active. If you can, we encourage you to pay your deferred premiums sooner.

How to Make a Premium Payment