3/2/2021 Update: The DOL issued EBSA Disaster Relief Notice 2021-01 providing that the outbreak period relief noted below ends on the earlier of one year from the date an individual or plan was first eligible for relief (extension period) or the original outbreak period of 60 days after the announced end of the COVID-19 National Emergency. As of the date of this writing, the COVID-19 National Emergency has not ended.
Read MoreTopics: Compliance Issues, Employee Benefits, COVID-19
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
2:00 p.m. Eastern
On December 27, 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Appropriations Act) was enacted. The Appropriations Act contains various provisions affecting group health plans including health FSA and DCAP relief, mental health and substance use disorder parity, and the No Surprises Act.
Read MoreTopics: Compliance Issues, Employee Benefits, Learning Events, COVID-19
Creating an awards system for workers or celebrating an employee’s birthday are positive examples of company culture. The larger the company, the more perks a business will usually offer.
Read MoreTopics: Employee Benefits, Company Culture, Employee Engagement, Business Strategy
On December 27, 2020, former President Trump signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Appropriations Act). The Appropriations Act amends Title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act (PHSA), Part 7 of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), and Chapter 100 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (IRC).
Read MoreTopics: Compliance Issues, Affordable Care Act, Employee Benefits
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) was signed in 1974. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is the agency responsible for administering and enforcing this law.
Read MoreTopics: Compliance Issues, Employee Benefits
January was a busy month in the employee benefits world. President Biden issued a memorandum putting a regulatory freeze on new rules. President Biden also issued an executive order on strengthening Medicaid and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Read MoreTopics: Compliance Issues, Affordable Care Act, Employee Benefits
On January 28, 2021, President Biden signed an Executive Order on Strengthening Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) (Executive Order). The Executive Order instructs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to consider establishing a special open enrollment period (SEP) for individuals to enroll in or change their current coverage under federally facilitated health insurance marketplaces.
Read MoreTopics: Compliance Issues, Affordable Care Act, Employee Benefits
In the fall of 2013, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a transitional relief program that allowed state insurance departments to permit early renewal at the end of 2013 of individual and small group policies that do not meet the “market reform” requirements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and for the policies to remain in force until their new renewal date in late 2014.
Read MoreTopics: Compliance Issues, Affordable Care Act, Employee Benefits
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a final rule along with a fact sheet and press release for benefit payment and parameters for 2022.
Read MoreTopics: Compliance Issues, Affordable Care Act, Employee Benefits
Tuesday, February 9, 2021
2:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. PT
On October 29, 2020, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Department of Labor (DOL), and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), released final rules on coverage transparency for group health plans that will begin to take effect on January 1, 2022.
Read MoreTopics: Compliance Issues, Employee Benefits, Learning Events