A recently published FAQ prepared by the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Treasury answers frequently asked questions regarding vaccine premium differentials and HIPAA nondiscrimination rules, as well as the cost shares for vaccine boosters.
Vaccine Premium Differentials
ERISA and other regulations prohibit plans “from discriminating against participants, beneficiaries, and enrollees in eligibility,…
The 100-percent premium subsidy for eligible COBRA health care enrollees, enacted earlier this year as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), period is ending September 30, 2021.
Group health plans need to send an expiration notice to eligible individuals 15 to 45 days before their premium assistance expires. The last day the notices…
On May 18, 2021, the IRS issued the long- awaited guidance on the COBRA subsidy and premium assistance credit available under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 through eighty-six questions and answers. The Notice addresses eligibility, reduction in hours, involuntary termination of employment, coverage eligible for premium assistance, beginning and end of the premium…
On May 10, 2021 the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act and Title IX’s prohibitions on discrimination based on sex include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. “Research shows that one quarter of LGBTQ people who faced discrimination postponed or…
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (“Act”), signed by President Trump on December 27, 2020, contains several provisions affecting employee benefits. Here is what you should know:
Temporary Special Rules for Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Arrangements
Carryover from 2020 and 2021 Plan Years: The Act permits plans to allow participants to carry over…
On July 8, 2020, in the consolidated cases of Little Sisters of the Poor Saints Peter and Paul Home v. Pennsylvania et al. and Donald J. Trump, President of the United States, et al. v. Pennsylvania et al., the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that employers can exclude coverage for birth control from their health…
IRS guidance, Notice 2020-29 and 2020-33, issued on May 12, 2020 addresses unanticipated changes in health and dependent care expenses because of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic by providing for increased flexibility with respect to mid-year elections under a Section 125 cafeteria plan during calendar year 2020 related to employer sponsored health coverage, health…
In the past few months, we have seen significant changes to the laws governing employee benefits, from the new hardship withdrawal regulations for 401(k) participants, to the SECURE Act, to the new individual coverage health reimbursement arrangement (“HRA”). Here is what you need to know for 2020:
Starting December 20, 2019:
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Not all 401(K) and other qualified plans allow hardship withdrawals, but if your plan does allow hardship withdrawals, make sure it is compliant with the new rules finalized in September. All of the changes are optional for a qualified retirement plan’s 2019 Plan year. Operational compliance must begin January 1, 2020. Key changes outlined in…
On February 9, 2018, the Bipartisan Budget Act (the “Act”) was signed into law. The Act directed the IRS to revise regulations governing hardship withdrawal provisions in qualified plans. The legislative goal was to expand the circumstances under which hardship withdrawals may be made and eliminate some of the penalties associated with hardship withdrawals.
On…
