As we come to the end of the year, it is a good time for employers with January 1st health plan renewals to review their plan documents and get ready for open enrollment. The following is a checklist that lists some of the...more
The IRS recently issued Notice 2023-37 (Notice) relating to pre-deductible coverage of COVID-19 testing and treatment under high-deductible health plans (HDHPs). Specifically, the Notice establishes a 2024 expiration date for...more
Employers’ high deductible health plans (HDHPs) can continue to cover COVID-19 testing and treatment without violating the eligibility rules for health savings accounts (HSAs)—but only through 2024—under new Internal Revenue...more
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued new guidance, Notice 2023-37, which states that for plan years ending after December 31, 2024, HSA-compatible high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) will no longer be permitted to...more
The June Monthly Minute highlights EPCRS expansion under SECURE 2.0 as well as various SECURE 2.0 technical corrections, and the termination of COVID-19 relief previously applicable to HDHPs....more
Summary - Sponsors of employee benefit plans face heightened plan design and administrative challenges in the wake of President Biden’s surprise termination of the COVID-19 national emergency. This unexpected development,...more
The Biden administration recently announced its intention to end the COVID-19 National Emergency and the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency effective May 11, 2023. These emergency declarations have been in place for nearly...more
The Consolidated Appropriations Act 2022 (“CAA 2022”), signed by President Biden on March 15, 2022, reinstated temporary relief for high deductible health plans (“HDHPs”) to provide pre-deductible coverage of telehealth...more
On March 15, 2022, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (the “2022 CAA”) was signed into law. Section 307 of the 2022 CAA extends the relief permitting high deductible health plans (“HDHPs”) to provide telehealth and...more
While there has been some improvement in the spread of COVID-19 in the US, the daily count of new cases remains high. As a result, many large employers have extended their remote working policies through the fall, with others...more
As health insurers and managed care companies work to serve their patient communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, they must also track and adapt to a multitude of new state and federal COVID-19-related regulatory actions...more
On May 12, 2020, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued Notice 2020-29 (the Notice), an important piece of guidance for employers that sponsor health & welfare plans. The Notice provides much-needed flexibility for...more
The IRS issued two notices on May 12, 2020, Notice 2020-29 and Notice 2020-33. These Notices provide a number of options that employers could choose to offer their employees with respect to their 2020 cafeteria plan benefits...more
While most employers are aware of the payroll tax credits available for paid sick and family leave requirements provided under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), many are unaware credits area also available...more
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
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
On March 25, 2020, the Senate voted 96-0 to approve the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The House is expected to vote on this bill on Friday, March 27....more
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), signed into law by President Trump on March 18, imposes new requirements on health plans in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, the FFCRA requires employer...more
On March 18, 2020, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act was signed into law. Among the new law’s many provisions is the requirement, effective as of the date of enactment, for group health plans to provide free novel...more
The IRS has issued the several news releases in response to the COVID-19 pandemic: IRS Notice 2020-18 Tax Day now July 15. Treasury, IRS extend filing deadline and federal tax payments regardless of amount....more
It is hard to find a sector of the American workforce that has not been affected by the COVID-19 emergency. Employees are being asked to work from home if they are able, businesses are being forced to close, and employers are...more
Due to the rapid spread of COVID-19, the Internal Revenue Service has issued Notice 2020-15 (the “Notice”) to provide relief for high deductible health plans (“HDHPs”) with respect to providing health benefits associated with...more
The nation’s lawmakers, government agencies, and insurance carriers are taking measures to remove financial barriers to testing and treatment for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Employers sponsoring health plans...more
IRS Guidance Related to Coronavirus Testing/Treatment for HDHPs/HSAs - Last week, the IRS issued guidance confirming that high-deductible health plans with health savings accounts can provide coronavirus testing and...more
As the Coronavirus has continued to spread, there has been guidance from various entities on a myriad of topics pertaining to employee benefits. Summaries and links to such guidance can be found below. This information will...more