The District of Columbia’s insurance department, and some states, have provided some relief to businesses in situations like Mr. Seyedian’s. It permits them to defer missed payments for up to a year during the coronavirus public health emergency. The insurance companies insist they are providing refunds to their customers, but some business owners say they have had more luck with their landlords or the electric company than their health insurer. “When I contacted our insurance agencies, you can negotiate a lot, but you really can’t negotiate health insurance,” said Gary Novotny, who owns Gary Michaels Clothiers in Lincoln, Neb., a small retailer whose sales are down by about half. “You don’t need not to have your health insurance in the middle of the pandemic,” he said, describing his employees as like family.

Source: New York Times September 28, 2020 06:56 UTC