Abortion rules, fiduciary committees and mental health parity enforcement top 2023’s employee benefits compliance priorities. Compared to the flurry of regulatory changes in 2020 and 2021, 2022 seemed quieter for employee benefits compliance. However, many new rules are now taking … Read More
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Employers Have Options Related to Abortion Benefits
In addition to abortion benefit options, employers need to carefully consider how reimbursement programs are designed. The recent U.S. Supreme Court Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health decision still leaves a lot of legal and regulatory abortion access questions unanswered. In … Read More
5 CAA Benefits Changes and their Tax-Exempt Entity Impact
Tax-exempt entities must understand how the CAA benefits changes impacted (and continue to impact) FSAs, DCAPs, and other health and welfare plans. Although extraordinarily helpful to benefit plan participants, the coronavirus (COVID-19) tax relief available under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, … Read More
How Employers Should Prepare for the Federal Vaccine Mandate
Though the federal vaccine mandate may be in question, there are still steps employers can take to prepare for that policy or to implement their own. If you’re a large or mid-sized private business, chances are you’ve been following the … Read More
OSHA Vaccine Rule Requires COVID-19 Vaccinations or Testing for Most Employers
The OSHA vaccine rule requires covered employers to implement a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy or a test-out policy. On November 4, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released its Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) rule, which … Read More
Vaccine Incentives and Other Fall 2021 Compliance Impacts
Expect fall 2021 compliance impacts in the areas of benefits strategy, workplace policy, and vaccine incentives. Recent pandemic-related developments, including those before the Biden Administration’s announcement of a federal vaccination mandate for private sector employers, have had (and will continue … Read More
Employers may Implement COVID-19 Vaccine Premium Incentives
Employers and plan sponsors considering a COVID-19 vaccine premium incentive should examine the potential risks, cost savings and administrative hurdles. On October 4, the U.S. Departments of Labor, Treasury and Health and Human Services issued FAQ guidance confirming the permissibility … Read More
Agencies Delay Transparency Rules for Healthcare Pricing
These delayed transparency rules will give employers and insurers more time to prepare, and some rules are pending further regulations. On August 20, 2021, the U.S Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), and Treasury (the “Agencies”) announced a … Read More
3 Health Insurance Takeaways from Biden’s Executive Order on Competition
Biden’s Executive Order on competition offers a glimpse of healthcare policy to come and potential rules employers should keep an eye on. The Biden Administration issued a sweeping Executive Order on “Promoting Competition in the American Economy” last month. This … Read More
Latest COBRA Subsidy Guidance May Prompt Filing Amendments
Employers and plans sponsors have already spent several months reviewing and implementing these rules. See what the latest COBRA subsidy guidance changes. The IRS recently issued guidance clarifying the rules for how employers can claim the tax credit for the … Read More
What Does the Supreme Court’s ACA Decision Mean for Employers?
The Supreme Court’s latest ACA decision may ease the law’s near-constant legal limbo and the concern of uncertainty for employers trying to plan ahead. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has survived its latest major challenge. On June 17, The U.S. … Read More
Clarifying 4 Common 2021 COBRA Subsidy Questions
Who qualifies? What’s considered “involuntary termination”? The 2021 COBRA subsidy rules gave employers a lot to manage—and plenty of questions. Despite additional guidance from the IRS, COBRA subsidy compliance continues to be an area of stress and concern for many … Read More
Employers May Require or Incentivize Employee COVID-19 Vaccinations
If your organization plans to require or incentivize employee COVID-19 vaccinations, be sure you are compliant with employment and employee benefit laws. We now have an answer to one of employers’ most pressing questions on employee COVID-19 vaccinations. The short … Read More
Model COBRA Notices, FAQs Help Employers with ARPA Requirements
Meeting the new COBRA notice requirements could be an administrative headache. New FAQs and model notices will help The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently provided employers some support in meeting the new COBRA premium assistance provisions of the American … Read More
5 Likely Impacts of the Biden Administration on Benefits
Our compliance experts review the possible impacts of the Biden administration on benefits that they’re watching. As the U.S. presidency transitions to a new administration, we’ve identified 5 likely impacts of the Biden administration on benefits programs: The Affordable Care … Read More