COBRA and The American Rescue Plan Act
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARPA”) includes major changes to COBRA administration in 2021. The Act creates an opportunity for free COBRA coverage during a six-month period from April through September 2021 for employees (and their family members) who experience a loss of group health coverage due to involuntary termination or reduced hours […]
Can employers require employees to have the COVID-19 vaccine before returning to work?
Yes, employers can require mandatory vaccinations, as a matter of prior health crises and common law. There will be some industries where it is going to be a mandate, like healthcare. There are however possible exceptions; medical conditions, bona fide religious objection. Two important questions. How can employers enforce this rule? What are alternatives to […]
Health Care Transparency
New transparency requirements on group health plans and health insurers in the individual and group markets were issued by the Departments of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Treasury (Departments). The final rule requires plans and issuers to disclose: Price and cost-sharing information for a list of 500 services must be available […]
What is Creditable Medicare Part D Coverage?
Medicare Part D notices are due before October 15,2020. But what does that mean and how do you know if your coverage is creditable? If you have any type of group health plan the notice is sent to advise plan participants as to whether their prescription drug coverage is “creditable.” What is Medicare D Creditable […]
OSHA Recommends that Employers Encourage Workers to Wear Face Coverings at Work
As businesses open and employees return to work, large numbers of employees of workers will be required to wear faces masks in the workplace. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has published a series of answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding the use of masks in the workplace to help employers provide a […]
Small & Midsize Employers – two new refundable payroll tax credits
IR-2020-57, March 20, 2020 The U.S. Treasury Department, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the U.S. Department of Labor (Labor) announced that small and midsize employers can begin taking advantage of two new refundable payroll tax credits, designed to immediately and fully reimburse them, dollar-for-dollar, for the cost of providing Coronavirus-related leave to their employees. This […]
IRS Guidelines – Indexed for 2020
FICA Social Security Tax is 6.2% on income up to $137,700 Medicare Tax unlimited 1.45% to Unlimited High Deductible Health Plans Minimum Annual Deductible (Individual/Family) $1,400 / $2,800 Maximum Out-of-Pocket Limit (Individual/Family) $6,900 / $13,800 Health Savings Accounts Individual / Family $3,550 / $7,100 Catch-up Contribution $1,000 ACA Plan Limits Out-of-Pocket Limits Individual / Family $8,150 […]
Proposed Transparency in Coverage Rule vs. American Hospital Association
A proposed rule would require plans and issuers to disclose cost-sharing estimates to participants, as well as post in-network provider-negotiated rates and historical out-of-network allowed amounts on their websites. The rule would apply to group health plans and insurers in the individual and group markets and sponsors of self-insured group health plans. They would not […]
2020 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS UPDATE
As we head into a new year, there will be some noticeable changes in employee benefits that you and your clients should be made aware of. The following list encompasses a few of the items you may expect to change: Required Reporting Effective January 1, 2020, Medicare Secondary Payer reporting will now include prescription drug […]
Preventive Care Benefits Expanded
A new IRS notice expands the list of preventive care benefits that may be covered. Expansion provides coverage without a deductible for some chronic conditions. “This notice expands the list of preventive care benefits permitted to be provided by a high deductible health plan (HDHP) under section 223(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) without […]