Businesses deemed essential based on the “COVID-19 Essential Services” guidance do not need to apply for an Essential Service designation and do not need to take any action.

Businesses that are NOT covered under current guidance can submit an online request to be designated as essential for the purposes of the Emergency Order.

Governor Baker on March 23 issued an executive order prohibiting gatherings of over 10 people. 

On March 18, the state adopted a law to temporarily waive the one-week waiting period for receiving unemployment benefits for those workers who are separated from work due to either the COVID-19 outbreak or the Governor’s declaration of a state of emergency. This change is retroactive to March 10, 2020. Visit the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 unemployment information webpage

On March 18, the state adopted a law to temporarily waive the one-week waiting period for receiving unemployment benefits for those workers who are separated from work due to either the COVID-19 outbreak or the Governor’s declaration of a state of emergency. This change is retroactive to March 10, 2020. Visit the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 unemployment information webpage

The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and the Department of Unemployment Assistance will host virtual town hall meetings the week of March 23 to provide a step-by-step overview of submitting an unemployment claim.

Businesses that paid less than $150,000 in regular sales plus meals taxes in the year ending February 29, 2020 will be eligible for relief for sales and meals taxes.

Businesses, that paid less than $150,000 in room occupancy taxes in the year ending February 29, 2020 will be eligible for relief with respect to room occupancy taxes.

On March 15th, Governor Baker filed an executive order temporarily expanding access to telehealth services during the State of Emergency. Under the order, all commercial insurers are required to cover medically necessary telehealth services in the same manner they cover in-person services. In addition, insurers must cover COVID-19 related testing and treatment without requiring cost-sharing, such as a co-pay, and without requiring prior-authorizations.

Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders announced $200 million worth of accelerated FY20 and FY21 payments for MassHealth’s safety-net health care providers. The immediate advanced funding is meant to ensure the health care system can continue providing necessary resources to patients.

The Massachusetts Health Connector has initiated an extended enrollment period for anyone without health insurance to enroll. Click here to apply. The Division of Insurance (DOI) also created a special enrollment period for anyone seeking to shop for individual coverage in the off-Exchange individual market. Both special enrollment periods will run through April 25. Loss of employment-based coverage is a qualifying event to get coverage through the Health Connector. The worker losing work-based coverage has 60 days before or after the loss of that coverage to obtain coverage through the Health Connector. Applications must be submitted by the 23rd of the month in order to secure coverage for the following month.

Massachusetts filed a waiver request with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that will give the state and MassHealth additional flexibility to respond to the COVID-19 crisis.

Registration of Health Care Professionals

Expanded Access to Physician Services

DPH Credentialing and Staffing Order

DPH EMS Care Order

Families First Coronavirus Response Act

gives states flexibility to shorten required waiting periods and adjust eligibility tests

requires employers with fewer than 500 employees to provide two weeks of paid sick leave on top of existing sick time benefits, to be refunded via tax credit on the employer’s quarterly tax filing. There are provisions that dictate eligibility and rates of pay

requires most employers with fewer than 500 employees to provide 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave to be refunded fully via tax credit, and includes an additional credit to cover the cost of the employee’s health

extends COVID-19 diagnostic testing at no cost to individuals insured by private plans, Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, Veterans programs, Indian Health Services, federal employees and to reimburse the cost of testing to uninsured individuals

increases federal funding for state and territory Medicaid allotments including more than $1 billion for Massachusetts

increases funding for key food provision programs and suspends work and work training requirements for SNAP eligibility requirements; provides authority for state program waivers

provides limited liability protection for medical device manufacturers producing personal respiratory devices

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will assist in market stabilization by purchasing Treasury securities and market-backed mortgages. The FOMC will continue to offer large-scale overnight and term purchase agreements and will use all available tools to enable the flow of credit to individuals and businesses.

Encourage the flow of credit to individuals and businesses through the Exchange Stabilization Fund (ESF) by establishing new programs and $300 billion in new funding.

Establishment of three new facilities to support the flow of credit to large employers, consumers, and businesses and for new bond and loan issuance: the Primary market Corporate Credit Facility (PMCCF), the Secondary Market Corporate Credit Facility (SMCCF), and the Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility.

Expansion of the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (MMLF) to include a wide range of securities.

Expansion of the Commercial Paper Funding Facility (CPFF).

On March 20, 2020 Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced that states may submit a waiver to bypass standardized testing for students impacted by school closures.

The Federal government announced that payments on federally held student loans may be placed on hold and interest will be waived for at least 60 days.

Establishment of three new facilities to support the flow of credit to large employers, consumers, and businesses and for new bond and loan issuance: the Primary market Corporate Credit Facility (PMCCF), the Secondary Market Corporate Credit Facility (SMCCF), and the Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility.

Expansion of the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility (MMLF) to include a wide range of securities.

Expansion of the Commercial Paper Funding Facility (CPFF).