COBRA Subsidy Expiration Notice Due by Sept. 15 (Sooner for Some)
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) provides COBRA premium assistance to eligible individuals and imposes notice requirements on health plans.
2022 Open Enrollment Checklist
2022 Open Enrollment Checklist To prepare for open enrollment, group health plan sponsors should be aware of the legal changes affecting the design and administration of their plans for ...
Understanding The Coronavirus Delta Variant
Understanding The Coronavirus Delta Variant The United States is experiencing a spike in COVID-19 cases, specifically in areas with low vaccination rates. A major reason for this spike is ...
The Impact of Biden’s Competition Executive Order on the Health Care Industry
The Impact of Biden's Competition Executive Order on the Health Care Industry The American economy is finally recovering after more than a year of stagnation due to ...
Why Starting Open Enrollment Early In 2021 Is More Important Than Ever
Why Starting Open Enrollment Early In 2021 Is More Important Than Ever The COVID-19 pandemic shook the job market in ways never before seen. For one, it ...
IRS Extends Deadline for COVID-19 Employee Leave Donations
IRS Extends Deadline for COVID-19 Employee Leave Donations The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the IRS have extended the deadline for tax-free donations to COVID-19 victims under employer-sponsored ...
IRS Posts FAQs on ARP Tax Credits for Paid Sick and Family Leave
IRS Posts FAQs on ARP Tax Credits for Paid Sick and Family Leave On June 11, 2021, the IRS released new FAQs about tax credits for eligible employers who ...
Supreme Court Rejects Challenge to the ACA’s Individual Mandate
Supreme Court Rejects Challenge to the ACA’s Individual Mandate On June 17, 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) ...
HSA/HDHP Limits Increase for 2022
On May 10, 2021, the IRS released Revenue Procedure 2021-25 to provide the inflation-adjusted limits for health savings accounts (HSAs) and high deductible health plans (HDHPs) for 2022.
EEOC Updates Guidance on COVID-19, Vaccines and the ADA
On May 28, 2021, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued updated and additional answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about how employers should comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other federal fair employment laws while also observing all applicable emergency workplace safety guidelines during the coronavirus pandemic.
Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Fees
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) created the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute to help patients, clinicians, payers, and the public make informed health decisions by advancing comparative effectiveness research.
Health Plan Rules—Treating Employees Differently
Health Plan Rules—Treating Employees Differently Some employers may want to be selective and treat employees differently for purposes of group health plan benefits. For example, employers may ...
DOL Issues Model Notices, FAQs for COBRA Subsidy in the ARPA
On April 7, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued FAQs and model notices for the COBRA premium assistance provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
How Employers Should Handle MLR Rebates
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) established medical loss ratio (MLR) rules to help control health care coverage costs and ensure that enrollees receive value for their premium dollars.
COBRA Subsidy Provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), signed into law March 11, 2021, provides a 100% subsidy of premiums for employer-sponsored group health insurance continued under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 (COBRA) and similar state continuation of coverage (mini- COBRA) programs.
American Rescue Plan Contains Employment-related Provisions
President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) into law on March 11, 2021.
Overview of the American Rescue Plan
The $1.9 trillion relief bill, known as the American Rescue Plan, has been signed into law by President Joe Biden.
Merck and Johnson & Johnson
Partner to Accelerate COVID-19 Vaccine Production The White House recently announced that drugmaker Merck & Co., will help produce competitor Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine to expand its production and supply.
Employee Leave – Legal Rules
Employees may need to take time off from work for various reasons, including for their own medical situations or family emergencies.
Temporary COVID-19 Relief for Section 125 Plans
On Feb. 18, 2021, the IRS released Notice 2021-15 to clarify special rules for Section 125 plans, health flexible spending arrangements (FSAs) and dependent care assistance programs (DCAPs).
COVID-19 Relief Extends COBRA, HIPAA and Other Plan Deadlines
On April 28, 2020, the Departments of Labor (DOL) and the Treasury (Departments) issued deadline relief to help employee benefit plans, plan participants and plan service providers impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.
President Biden Issues Executive Actions Addressing Health Care Access
President Joe Biden has signed two executive actions to strengthen Americans’ access to affordable health care. Among the actions is an executive order aimed at expanding enrollment in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Medicaid, and a memorandum rescinding regulations on reproductive health access.
Health Plan Rules – Treating Employees Differently
Some employers may want to be selective and treat employees differently for purposes of group health plan benefits.
Employer Reporting of Health Coverage—Sections 6055 & 6056
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) created reporting requirements under Internal Revenue Code (Code) Sections 6055 and 6056.
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