Guide to help region’s firms

As employers in the Dayton region navigate uncharted territory during the response to the spread of the new coronavirus, the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce has compiled a Coronavirus Resource Guide specifically for employers.

“We realize during this unprecedented time that Ohio businesses have questions. We hope to provide those answers,” said the chamber. “Every day there is a new executive order that impacts Ohio businesses as well as new programs to help them. We hope to provide that information all in one place.”

The webpage can be accessed from the front page of the chamber’s website. Just click on the Coronavirus Business Resources link. The page includes information on executive orders, SBA loans, tax information, FAQ’s for businesses and more. There is also an area where chamber members can submit information on programs they are offering businesses or the public to help provide relief or assistance.

Working with Public Health– Dayton/Montgomery County, the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the chamber will update the guide at DaytonChamber.org when new and relevant information is available.

How to apply for jobless benefits

People who have lost work because of the COVID-19 emergency can contact the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services to apply for unemployment benefits. Affected workers can apply at http:// unemployment.ohio.gov or by phone at 1-877-644-6562 (TTY available at 1-614-387-8408). Using the mass layoff number 2000180 when filing will identify the application as related to COVID-19.

Certain state requirements to file for unemployment remain:

■ Ohioans must be totally or partially unemployed.

■ In 2020, applicant must have worked at least 20 weeks in covered employment and earned at least $269 in the base

period (four out of the last five completed calendar quarters).

■ Residents must be unemployed through no fault of their own.

■ People who had a prior unemployment claim that is expired must have worked in covered employment since the beginning of the prior claim year to reestablish as a worker.

Insurance companies make changes

Anthem announced last week its efforts to eliminate the burden of additional costs for members in its affiliated health plans by providing coverage of the coronavirus screening test at no out-of-pocket cost. The companies also said that prior authorization is not required for diagnostic services related to COVID19 testing.

“We are committed to keeping healthcare affordable for the consumers we serve. While the CDC continues to advise that the risk for the virus remains low, we are mindful of our responsibility to our health plan consumers and communities to ensure access to care,” said Anthem President and CEO Gail K. Boudreaux. “These actions today should reduce barriers to seeing a doctor, getting tested and maintaining adherence to medications for long-term health issues.”

Testing similar to what is offered now from the Centers for Disease Control will soon be offered more broadly. Anthem’s waiver of copays, coinsurance and deductibles and prior authorization will extend to this focused test used to diagnose COVID19 for all of Anthem’s affiliated health plan fully-insured, individual, Medicaid and Medicare members when medically necessary.

Anthem recommended people use telehealth when possible, as it can help prevent spreading a virus further within a physical clinical setting.

Dow slide

The Dow Jones dipped below 20,000 this week, continuing its huge slide as investors unload stocks.

The Dow was down 13% for the week early Friday and was on pace for its biggest one-week fall since October 2008, when it slid 18.2%. The S&P 500 has lost more than 11% week to date after dropping another 11.5% last week. The Nasdaq has fallen 8.5% through early Friday.

Here are some of the majors winners and losers during this tough week in the markets:

UP

Campbells: 10% Clorox: up 24% Kroger: up 19% Kellogg: up 4% Zoom: up 21%

DOWN

American Airlines: 57% Apple: 23% Blackstone: 40% Disney: 36% Starbucks: 37% United Airlines: 69%

Rich Gillette is the Dayton Daily News business editor. He can be reached at rich. gillette@coxinc.com or on Twitter @richgillette