Seyfarth Synopsis: Since March 18, 2020, group health plans have been required to provide benefits for certain items and services related to testing for or diagnosis of COVID-19 during the applicable emergency period - see...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: The OSHA COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) will require unvaccinated employees to submit weekly COVID-19 testing results by February 9, 2022. New guidance from the Biden...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: We previously discussed how to apply the HIPAA wellness rules to a premium differential based on a participant’s vaccination status in our Legal Update. At the time, we were left to interpret the existing...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: As employers continue to struggle with strategies for safely re-opening their workplaces, we have previously discussed the possibility of mandating a vaccine or providing incentives for getting the vaccine....more
As COVID-19 vaccines become more readily available in coming months, employers are exploring ways to maximize vaccination rates within their workforce. Some employers are considering making vaccination mandatory. ...more
1/12/2021
/ Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Employee Benefits ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employment Policies ,
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) ,
Health Insurance ,
Incentives ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Reasonable Accommodation ,
Vaccinations ,
Wellness Programs ,
Workplace Safety
Synopsis: Now that we have two approved vaccines (and several more on the horizon) employers are starting to explore whether they should require their employees to get vaccinated in order to report to work. ...more
COVID-19 vaccines are finally here! Employers have a lot to think about in how this new tool in the fight against COVID-19 applies in the workplace, and whether it should be a mandatory aspect of employment....more
Seyfarth Synopsis: Late Friday evening, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bill (HR 6201) targeted to provide relief for individuals impacted by the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes...more
3/16/2020
/ Business Continuity Plans ,
China ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Crisis Management ,
Emergency Management Plans ,
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Public Health ,
Relief Measures ,
Sick Leave ,
Sick Pay ,
Trump Administration
Seyfarth Synopsis: One of many COVID-19 benefits-related concerns focused on the ability of individuals covered under High Deductible Health Plans to have services to diagnose or treat the coronavirus covered before their...more
3/13/2020
/ Clinical Laboratory Testing ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Cost-Sharing ,
Crisis Management ,
Deductible Expenses ,
Emergency Response ,
Employee Benefits ,
HDHP ,
Health and Safety ,
Health Insurance ,
HSA ,
Infectious Diseases ,
IRS ,
New Guidance ,
Public Health ,
Relief Measures
Seyfarth Synopsis: Because everything has a coronavirus angle now….this blog post covers various issues and considerations plan sponsors and administrators should keep in mind as the coronavirus outbreak continues to...more
3/6/2020
/ Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ,
Benefit Plan Sponsors ,
China ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Crisis Management ,
Disclosure Requirements ,
Electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI) ,
Employee Benefits ,
Employee Privacy Rights ,
Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) ,
Employment Policies ,
Government Agencies ,
Health and Safety ,
Health Insurance ,
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) ,
Infectious Diseases ,
OSHA ,
Personal Protective Equipment ,
PHI ,
Plan Administrators ,
Public Health ,
Workplace Safety