On July 20th, CMS issued an open letter to employers, plan sponsors and insurers requesting that they extend the normal 60-day special enrollment period for Medicaid and CHIP terminations of coverage....more
As we previously discussed, federal regulators released FAQs on January 10, 2022 (“January FAQs”), requiring health plans to cover over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 tests for all participants during the pandemic, without...more
Federal regulators recently released FAQs providing that health plans are now required to cover over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 tests for all participants through the remaining duration of the pandemic, without requiring an...more
On Wednesday, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and Department of Treasury (“Treasury”) released guidance (Notice 2021-58) clarifying certain deadlines relating to COBRA continuation coverage in connection with the ongoing...more
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARPA”) includes a provision amending the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) to provide COBRA premium assistance to eligible individuals. The ARPA COBRA...more
In May 2020, the Department of Labor jointly with the Department of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (the “Agencies”) released guidance delaying and extending many common deadlines for employee benefit plans. In...more
The COVID-relief bill , which included year-end government funding provisions, was signed by President Trump last night. The President signed the law by utilizing the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, and he redlined a number...more
The Department of Labor in connection with other agencies (the “Agencies”) have released guidance delaying and extending many common deadlines for employee benefit plans. In EBSA Disaster Relief Notice 2020-01, the DOL...more
An employer is responsible for paying its share (6.2 percent) of Social Security taxes and its share (1.45 percent) of Medicare taxes for each employee’s covered wages. Generally, an employer must deposit such amounts to the...more
Earlier this week the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) passed the Senate and today has passed the House. President Trump has indicated that he will immediately sign the CARES Act. The Act...more
Emergency Withdrawals. Participants in defined contribution plans (profit sharing, 401(k), and 403(b) plans) could access their retirement savings now if plans are amended to allow coronavirus-related withdrawals....more
This afternoon the Senate passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, H.R. 6201 (the “Act”) sending it to President Trump’s desk. The President has already indicated that he will sign it. The Act remains unchanged...more
Updated from a Previous Post -
Early Saturday morning, the House of Representatives passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, H.R. 6201 (the “Bill”). As currently drafted the Bill provides a number of COVID-19...more
Today, the IRS issued Notice 2020-15 that allows a high deductible health plan (HDHP) to provide first dollar coverage for both testing and treatment of the coronavirus. This means that claims for testing and treatment may...more