In response to a directive from the White House, based on provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act that eliminated cost sharing for...more
1/17/2022
/ Affordable Care Act ,
American Academy of Pediatrics ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ,
Department of Labor (DOL) ,
Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) ,
Fraud and Abuse ,
HRSA ,
Out-of-Pocket Expenses ,
U.S. Treasury ,
Virus Testing
On October 4, 2021, the US Departments of Labor, Treasury, and Health and Human Services (the Tri-Agencies) issued guidance regarding the application of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) wellness...more
11/2/2021
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ,
Department of Labor (DOL) ,
Discounts ,
Employees ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employer Mandates ,
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) ,
Incentives ,
New Guidance ,
Surcharges ,
U.S. Treasury ,
Vaccinations ,
Wellness Programs
Can employers offer incentives for employees to get a COVID-19 vaccine? In short, yes. Incentives may take many forms, such as a one-time bonus, a gift card or a few extra vacation hours. Employers can get creative. ...more
7/28/2021
/ Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ,
Confidential Information ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) ,
Employees ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) ,
Incentives ,
IRS ,
Reasonable Accommodation ,
Vaccinations
On May 18, 2021, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued much-anticipated Notice 2021-31 (the Notice) regarding the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) premium subsidy provisions of the American Rescue...more
6/3/2021
/ American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 ,
Beneficiaries ,
COBRA ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Covered Employees ,
Department of Labor (DOL) ,
Eligibility ,
Employee Benefits ,
Employer Group Health Plans ,
IRS ,
Premium Subsidies ,
Time Extensions
Two days before the one-year anniversary of the official start of the COVID-19 outbreak, the US Department of Labor (DOL) issued a last-minute notice clarifying its prior guidance that relaxed the deadlines for the Employee...more
3/4/2021
/ Benefit Plan Sponsors ,
COBRA ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Department of Labor (DOL) ,
Employee Benefits ,
Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) ,
Employer Group Health Plans ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Enrollment ,
Health and Welfare Plans ,
Health Insurance
On February 18, 2021, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued clarifying guidance on the temporary special rules for health flexible spending arrangements (FSAs) and dependent care assistance programs (DCAPs) under Internal...more
2/25/2021
/ Cafeteria Plans ,
Carryover Basis ,
COBRA ,
Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) ,
Employee Benefits ,
Employees ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Flexible Spending Accounts ,
Grace Period ,
IRS ,
Medical Expenses ,
Reporting Requirements
The COVID-19 pandemic has put unprecedented strain on organizations of all sizes across all industries. The uncertainty of the “new normal” is forcing employers all over the world to consider various new policies as workers...more
2/25/2021
/ Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employer Mandates ,
Employer Responsibilities ,
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Personal Data ,
Re-Opening Guidelines ,
Reasonable Accommodation ,
Reporting Requirements ,
Title VII ,
Vaccinations ,
Virus Testing ,
Workplace Safety
The COVID-19 pandemic has put unprecedented strain on organizations of all sizes across all industries. The uncertainty of the “new normal” is forcing employers all over the world to consider various new policies as workers...more
2/2/2021
/ Continuing Legal Education ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) ,
Employment Policies ,
Health and Safety ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Reasonable Accommodation ,
Return-to-Work Agreements ,
Vaccinations ,
Webinars ,
Workplace Safety
On June 23, 2020, the US Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Treasury issued tri-agency FAQs (Part 43) that clarify important health and welfare provisions under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act...more
6/26/2020
/ Benefit Plan Sponsors ,
CARES Act ,
Clinical Laboratory Testing ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ,
Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) ,
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ,
Health Care Providers ,
Health Insurance ,
Telehealth ,
Third-Party Agents ,
U.S. Treasury ,
Virus Testing
In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, on May 12, 2020, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued Code Section 125 (cafeteria plan) guidance (see IRS Notice 2020-29 and Notice 2020-33) that allows employers to...more
The US Department of Labor, in conjunction with the Internal Revenue Service and US Department of the Treasury, issued guidance and deadline extensions applicable to ERISA-governed group health and welfare plans. The guidance...more
The Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and the Treasury have jointly issued an FAQ regarding implementation of the various requirements for group health plans under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and...more
In the ongoing effort to help individuals impacted by COVID-19, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Securities Act (the “CARES Act” or “Act”) on March 27, 2020. The President signed the Act into law the...more
4/1/2020
/ Business Interruption ,
CARES Act ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Federal Loans ,
Financial Stimulus ,
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) ,
Payroll Taxes ,
Relief Measures ,
SBA ,
SBA Lending Programs ,
Small Business ,
Tax Credits ,
Tax Relief ,
Unemployment Insurance
Coronavirus (COVID-19) raises serious concerns for employers of all shapes and sizes, across all industries and in every business sector. As the impact of COVID-19 continues to grow, many employers are faced with new...more
As part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the “Act”), Congress eliminated patient cost-sharing for Coronavirus (COVID-19) diagnostic testing and related services provided under employer-sponsored group health...more
As the globe grapples with increasing challenges to sustaining “business as usual” in their enterprises, our team of Employment, Employee Benefits, Health and Privacy & Cybersecurity lawyers invite you to join us for...more
3/17/2020
/ Anti-Discrimination Policies ,
Anti-Harassment Policies ,
Anti-Retaliation Provisions ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Cybersecurity ,
Data Privacy ,
Data Security ,
Data-Sharing ,
Employee Benefits ,
Employment Policies ,
Health and Safety ,
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) ,
Health Savings Accounts ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Paid Time Off (PTO) ,
Personal Data ,
Public Health ,
Quarantine ,
Remote Working ,
Risk Mitigation ,
Sick Leave ,
Webinars ,
Workplace Safety
A new IRS notice will allow individuals to receive testing and care for COVID-19 without jeopardizing their ability to contribute to a health savings account (HSA). The IRS issued the notice due to the public health threat...more