Josh Elliott

GOVERNOR LAMONT PROVIDES UPDATE ON CONNECTICUT’S CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE EFFORTS (Latest Data as of 6:00PM on Wednesday, April 15, 2020)

Data updates on testing in Connecticut

A county-by-county breakdown includes:

County	Laboratory-Confirmed Cases	Hospitalizations	Deaths
Fairfield County	6,480	784	365
Hartford County	2,570	402	213
Litchfield County	490	32	35
Middlesex County	379	40	28
New Haven County	3,758	612	195
New London County	236	21	7
Tolland County	216	11	22
Windham County	89	6	1
Pending address validation	537	0	2
Total	14,755	1,908	868

For several additional graphs and tables containing more data, including a list of cases in every municipality, click here.

Governor Lamont signs executive order waiving the moratorium on Medicaid beds at certain long-term care facilities

Governor Lamont today signed an executive order making further adjustments to certain statutes and regulations regarding long-term care facilities as part of the administration’s ongoing plan to keep protect and support the vulnerable population of residents who live in nursing homes during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Last weekend, Governor Lamont signed Executive Order No. 7Y, which implemented the state’s nursing home surge plan and includes the designation of certain long-term care facilities as COVID-19 recovery centers that will focus on supporting people discharged from hospitals.

To accommodate this emergency need, Governor Lamont today signed Executive Order No. 7AA, which permits the Department of Social Services to temporarily waive the statutory moratorium on new beds at certain nursing homes to accommodate COVID-19-related needs.

For more information related to the plan for long-term care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, read the list of frequently asked questions (FAQs).

This is the 28^th executive order Governor Lamont has signed since enacting the emergency declarations last month.

**Download: Governor Lamont’s Executive Order No. 7AA

Unemployment Insurance News

In his daily update today, Governor Lamont had good news for those waiting on an unemployment claim.

• A software improvement at the Connecticut Department of Labor will speed up unemployment claims. Wait period will be shortened to one week or less beginning next week.
• Department of Labor expects that the $600 / week additional payment will begin to be processed also beginning next week.
• The new benefit program for self-employed individuals and independent contractors begins April 30.
• Despite the delay in processing, the payments will be retroactive.
• The department encourages people to use the automated/ temporary shutdown system and enter direct deposit information in order to expedite payment.

Here's a link to information on unemployment eligibility in Connecticut.

IRS Economic Impact Payments

Many of us have seen the financial impacts of COVID-19, and the CARES Act will provide some assistance as soon as this week for most. The Act is a single, one-time payment of $1,200 per adult and $500 per child under the age of 17, up to certain income levels. The IRS will determine what your payment will be by looking at your 2018 or 2019 tax return or Social Security data.

IRS Economic Impact Payments

• Tax filers who have supplied direct deposit information to the IRS have begun receiving payments this week
• If you do not file, you can enter your information here to assure receipt of benefits
• Those receiving Social Security benefits do not need to take any steps to receive their payment
• If you file, but do not provide banking information to the IRS, you will have an opportunity, beginning today according to Treasury Secretary Mnuchin, to enter this information on the IRS website. This will help you receive your funds in an expedited fashion.
• To track the status of your refund, click here.

For the full comprehensive list of FAQs released by the IRS, click here.

Insurance Information

• A new, free $25,000 three year life insurance policy is being offered by Mass Mutual to all who work at licensed hospitals, urgent care centers and EMS. This includes not only nurses and doctors, but security and custodial personnel, and anyone else whose jobs may involve occupational exposure. More information and the application can be found here.
• Many auto insurers will be returning funds to customers based on the decrease in travel. Reach out to your provider for more information.

For more information, read the press release issued today by the Connecticut Insurance Department.

Connecticut Insurance Department announces fully-insured health plan members can receive COVID-19 treatment with no out-of-pocket costs

All fully-insured plan health plan members, including those with high-deductible health plans, can now receive COVID-19 testing and treatment with no out-of-pocket costs.

Some employers, especially large ones, sponsor self-funded health plans. Insurance Commissioner Andrew N. Mais urges those employers to waive testing and treatment costs as well.

Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, together known as HUSKY Health in Connecticut, are also fully covering COVID-19 testing and treatment without any cost-sharing. Consumers should take note that there are some differences among commercial plans and policyholders should contact their insurer or employer to obtain additional information on important details.

For more information, read the press release issued today by the Connecticut Insurance Department.

Access Health Deadline

• Access Health CT's recently extended deadline is coming to an end this Friday
• Anyone who enrolls during this extension period will receive coverage effective May 1
• The only way to sign up for this special enrollment period is by calling 1-855-365-2428
• Individuals who lose coverage due to unemployment, experience certain other qualifying life events, or qualify for Medicaid/Children’s Health Program (CHIP), can always enroll online.

For more information, read the press release by Access Health CT.