The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) extended an existing transition policy indefinitely for health plans that do not comply with the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This extension applies to policy years beginning after October 1, 2022. Until the HHS announces that the coverage must come into compliance with …
Massachusetts’ COVID-19 emergency paid sick leave program expired March 15, 2022. This law required employers to provide up to 40 hours of paid sick leave for certain COVID-19-related reasons. In late February, the Massachusetts Executive Office for Administration and Finance alerted employers that reimbursements for the program were reaching their …
A new model Employer Chip Notice with information from January 21, 2022, was just released by the Department of Labor (DOL). The model notice is updated each year to reflect changes in states offering premium assistance programs, along with the contact information for those states. The Children’s Health Insurance Program …
The Department of Justice (DOJ) released answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) on how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to businesses under specific circumstances related to the pandemic. These FAQs highlight compliance with Titles II and III of the ADA relating to state and local governments and businesses …
The Supreme Court ruled to stay the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) testing and vaccination emergency temporary standard (ETS) on January 13, 2022. The ETS would have established a mandatory vaccination policy for private employers with 100 or more employees. According to the majority of the Supreme Court, OSHA …
Additional insurance laws in effect in 2022 will protect Californians’ safety and health. Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara sponsored the new laws and said, “My Department of Insurance is using every tool at our disposal to protect consumers including expanding and enforcing insurance laws as well as working with the Legislature …
On November 12, 2021, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2022 Medicare Part A and B premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts. The 2022 Medicare Part D income-related monthly adjustment amounts were also announced. Medicare Part B Premium and Deductible Physician, outpatient hospital, certain hospital health services, …
The Internal Revenue System (IRS) recently announced the 2022 dollar limits for employee benefits including: High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPS), Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), Transportation Benefits, and Adoption Assistance. As cost-of-living expenses continue to rise due to inflation, the IRS annually adjusts contribution limits to accommodate …
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released a federal emergency temporary standard (ETS) on November 4, 2021. The ETS establishes certain requirements for large employers, those with 100 or more employees, in order to protect unvaccinated workers. Large employers are required to comply with most ETS provisions by December …
While the Biden administration proposed 12 weeks of paid family leave, the plan was altogether abandoned after facing Congress. The United States of America is only one of seven nations that doesn’t provide paid maternity leave. The only federal statute regarding parental leave is the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) which allows 12 …
Since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was enacted in 2010, many changes have been made. In 2022, there are changes for employers sponsoring group health plans. Plan Design Changes Grandfathered plan status A grandfathered plan is one that existed before the ACA was enacted on March 23, 2010. The Departments …
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 was signed into law in December of 2020. It included the No Surprises Act, which bans surprise medical bills. What is “Surprise Medical Bills”? When patients receive care unexpectedly from out-of-network health care providers, they can get hit with surprise medical bills. This can happen …
On September 7th, 2021, the IRS issued Notice 2021-53 which provided guidance for employers on how to report sick and family leave wages for leave taken under the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act (FFCRA). Employers who claim tax credits for leave wages under relevant legislation need to report qualified 2021 …
On August 16, 2021, the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor and the Treasury (collectively, the Departments) issued a frequently asked question (FAQ) regarding enforcement of the contraceptive coverage mandate under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Contraceptive Mandate The ACA requires non-grandfathered health plans to cover certain …
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently published a proposed rule that would revise several benefit and payment parameters under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for the 2022 benefit year. While the proposed changes primarily impact insurers and Exchanges, it’s important to consider that some provisions could also …
