Over-the-counter at-home COVID-19 test FAQs We are proud to do our part to protect our members from COVID-19. Beginning January 15, 2022, each of our members* can receive 8 FDA-approved, over-the-counter (OTC) at-home COVID-19 antigen tests a month at no […]
New Required Health Plan Coverage for Over- the-Counter COVID-19 Tests
Federal agencies release guidance expanding health plan coverage for COVID-19 testing On December 2, 2021, the Biden Administration published an action plan outlining additional steps it intends to take to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. The action plan included a requirement for […]
U.S. Supreme Court Acts on OSHA and CMS Healthcare Worker Vaccination Mandates
On January 13, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court (the “Supreme Court” or “Court”) issued its long-awaited decisions for the following two federal vaccination mandates: On the surface, the Supreme Court only decided whether a stay of enforcement is necessary and […]
Legislative Update! The Sixth Circuit reinstates the OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard mandating employees be vaccinated or tested weekly.
Late Friday, Dec. 17, 2021, a three-judge panel of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals lifted the stay of the OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS). OSHA promptly issued this statement extending enforcement deadlines: Litigation update: “OSHA is gratified the U.S. […]
What Employers Should Do With MLR Rebates
It’s that time of year again. Employers who sponsor a fully insured group health plan may be receiving a Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) rebate from insurers. Self-insured medical benefit plans are not subject to these requirements. The rebates raise several […]
More Flexibility Coming to Flexible Spending Accounts
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act of 2020 (CARES Act), the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA) and now the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) each include many provisions that affect retirement, welfare and fringe benefit programs. […]
Personal Protective Equipment Eligible for Reimbursement Under HSA, HRA, or FSA
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced (2021-7) that amounts paid by individuals for certain personal protective equipment (PPE), including masks, hand sanitizer, and sanitizing wipes, for the primary purpose of preventing the spread of COVID-19, are treated as expenses […]
American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA)
On March 11, 2021, President Joe Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). The legislation goes into effect April 1, 2021 and contains provisions for a COBRA subsidy and an increase to the annual dependent […]
Health Care Reform Updates
The Ban on Surprise Medical Bills Will Take Effect in 2022 On Dec. 27, 2020, President Donald Trump signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 into law, a $900 billion stimulus bill that includes emergency economic relief, government funding and tax cuts. […]
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) affordability of employer-sponsored health coverage will decline to 9.78% of an employee’s household income for the 2020 plan year
Affordability Standards Under the ACA, employer-sponsored minimum essential coverage (MEC) is affordable if an employee’s required contribution for the lowest-cost, self-only option with minimum value does not exceed an annually indexed percentage of the employee’s household income. Employees and their […]
