Mental health is essential to personal well-being, family and interpersonal relationships, and the ability to contribute to your community and society. Getting outside has a profound impact on our brains and our behavior. It allows us to disconnect, reduce anxiety, relieve everyday stressors, and improve our overall well-being. Finding time …
On July 10, 2020, the Departments of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Treasury Departments issued a proposed rule intended to provide greater flexibility for grandfathered group health plans — which would include changes to certain cost-sharing requirements without losing grandfather status. The proposed rule would amend …
With a large majority of summer camps and programs shut down due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, working parents are looking for new ways to keep their children active, healthy and occupied. According to data from the American Psychological Association (APA), 60% of parents have stated “they have no idea …
On July 8, 2020, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the U.S. Treasury Department issued Notice 2020-54, requiring employers to report the amount of qualified sick and family leave wages paid to employees under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). Employers will be required to report these amounts either …
On July 8, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld two regulations expanding exemptions from the contraceptive coverage mandate under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Under the regulations, plan sponsors that object to providing contraceptive coverage based on sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions will not be penalized for failing …
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Highmark Health Plan has taken multiple measures to keep employees and communities safe. Through coverage expansions, increased access to care, virtual support and continually providing resources to members, Highmark persists to be there for all in these trying times. Â A new initiative recently …
The proper use of personal protective equipment for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has raised numerous questions as the current pandemic affects our nation. Different guidelines issued by different agencies has caused a great deal of confusion among individuals, prompting scientific studies to focus on the importance of wearing a mask …
On June 19, 2020, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued proposed regulations under a portion of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that eliminated the employer deduction for certain employee transportation benefits. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act changed Section 274 of the IRS Code to disallow employer deductions …
Due to the urgent need to help facilitate the nation’s response to the current public health emergency posed by COVID-19, the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and the Treasury have provided answers to a second set of frequently asked questions (FAQs Part 43). This FAQ document provides guidance …
On June 23, 2020, District Judge Carl Nichols ruled in favor of the Trump administration’s final rule requiring hospitals to disclose their negotiated prices. This decision comes after a lawsuit filed by the American Hospital Association (AHA) late last year. The suit was an attempt to block the rule’s implementation, …
The U.S. Department of Labor launched an interactive online tool to help workers determine if they qualify for paid sick leave or extended family and medical leave to cover time away from work for reasons related to the coronavirus (COVID-19). The tool acts as a guide for workers, which walks …
Businesses around the world have been severely impacted due to the coronavirus pandemic. In response, health insurance carriers have stepped up in an effort to lessen the blow of the impact. In addition to businesses being forced to downsize their employee population, adjust work schedules, and account for lost revenue, maintaining …
Benefit changes surrounding New Jersey Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) and Family Leave Insurance (FLI), as well as California Paid Family Leave (PFL), will go into effect July 1, 2020. Outlined below are updates that may impact your employee population. New Jersey Benefit Changes The benefit level is increasing for both …
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has raised a multitude of questions and continues to cause complications among employee populations. A great deal of employers have begun to implement plans to bring employees back into the workplace. So, you might ask yourself — how does one promote a healthy workforce and encourage …
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, states have passed new employee leave laws and issued new regulations on existing leave laws. These provisions are in addition to the federal Emergency Paid Sick Leave and Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion requirements passed on March 18, 2020 as part of the …
