The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released a notice intended to clarify the application of temporary special rules for health flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and dependent care assistant program (DCAP) accounts under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA). Health FSAs and DCAPs are accounts individuals can make pre-tax contributions to, …
After declaring that Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine was safe and effective, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the third vaccine to aid in the fight against the ongoing pandemic. The new authorized vaccine will allow states to increase distribution to …
On February 26, 2021, the Department of Labor’s (DOL) Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) issued Disaster Relief Notice 2021-01, which provides continuing relief for certain employee benefit plan deadlines and disregards the COVID-19 Outbreak Period. The relief will primarily be of benefit to employee benefit plans, plan participants and beneficiaries, …
No new guidance has been released to extend the relief issued last year to postpone various employee benefit plan deadlines during the defined “Outbreak Period.” The Outbreak Period began on March 1, 2020, and lasts until 60 days after the announced end of the National Emergency. By law, however, it …
A.J. Henwood is a 9-year-old boy, who loves animals, plays the trumpet, and has dreams of playing for the Philadelphia Phillies someday. He also has a rare disease known as NF2 — formally known as neurofibromatosis Type 2. Sadly, to this day, there is no cure for the rare disease …
With COVID-19 exacerbating the mental health crisis employees were experiencing even before the pandemic, Prudential Group Insurance saw a need for change and partnered with NeuroFlow to expand their mental health benefits for employees on disability leave. NeuroFlow, a digital behavioral health integration platform in the form of a mobile …
Education and transparency surrounding the current state of our country and ongoing COVID-19 vaccine distribution is of the utmost importance in combatting the spread of the virus. Thus, it is important to create health equity among all communities across the United States and engage the public regarding the safety and …
In accordance with the recent executive order signed by President Biden regarding strengthening Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have announced that the Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for the Health Insurance Marketplace has officially begun. While millions of people throughout the …
Due to rising unemployment rates, increased food costs and supply chain changes, the issue of food insecurity has been exacerbated further during the pandemic. This year, an estimated 54 million Americans, including 18 million American children, are now food insecure. Meaning, the limited availability of nutritional, safe foods has doubled, …
Employers have consistently been pushed to adjust their benefits to accommodate employees’ mental health, caregiving, financial and well-being needs, which have been exacerbated due to the pandemic. According to a survey by Wellable, the majority of employers plan to keep social distancing and sanitary measures prevalent in their workplace post-pandemic. …
As Americans continue to follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), their state, and local health departments regarding mask wearing and quarantine guidelines, some may be wondering how to maximize their health and safety as the pandemic evolves. The CDC has released a report, which includes …
The Biden administration has told the Supreme Court to uphold the Affordable Care Act (ACA). In a letter to the Supreme Court, Deputy Solicitor General Edwin Kneedler clarified that the current U.S. Department of Justice views the ACA as constitutional. “Following the change in administration, the Department of Justice …
According to a report from Kindset, the average personal donation was approximately $608 in 2020, with the amount of charity increasing nationally by 25% in the last holiday season compared to 2019. Pennsylvanians, specifically, gave an average of $489 last year, up $69 from the year before. Regarding charitable donations, …
For plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2020, employers may offer HRAs integrated with individual health insurance coverage or Medicare, subject to certain conditions. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently provided two additional codes from Code Series 1 that can be used on Form 1095-C, line 14, for …
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently updated its frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding legislation that extended and amended tax relief to certain small and mid-sized employers under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The paid sick and family leave tax credits, which previously were available only until the end …
