In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, employees have the opportunity to take advantage of the loosened requirements regarding how they can spend their health savings account (HSA) dollars. Employees can now utilize their HSA dollars to pay for telehealth services, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, feminine hygiene products and more. Many …
Updated Model COBRA Notices & FAQs On May 1, 2020 the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued new model notices for group health plan administrators to use to comply with COBRA notification requirements. Plan administrators are not required to use the updated model notices, however, the DOL considers their use …
During this unprecedented time, employers are looking for ways to provide a sense of relief to their employees. We’ve outlined items employers can share with workers to assist them in light of the COVID-19 crisis. Relief due to Legislation & Carrier Action Updates to new legislation continue to be released …
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law to address the current COVID-19 pandemic. The Act provides $2.2 trillion of economic relief for Americans, businesses and the healthcare industry. The relief package also provides federal funding to expand the availability of unemployment insurance (UI) benefits, …
It’s essential for patients that are experiencing serious illness, including symptoms of COVID-19, to have access to necessary treatment and prescription medication. In efforts to protect those with chronic conditions from medication shortages, CVS Caremark recently set new guidelines to limit the purchase of essential medications. Medications to help ease …
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires applicable large employers (ALEs) to offer affordable, minimum value health coverage to their full-time employees or possibly pay a penalty. The evolving coronavirus crisis has raised questions on how employers should determine what a full-time employee is during periods of layoff, furlough, and COVID-19 …
On March 27, 2020, the U.S. Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act to provide $2.2 trillion in federal funding to address the COVID-19 crisis. The CARES Act expands Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) coverage and provisions related to telehealth services, guidelines for Medicare coverage, …
On March 18, 2020, President Trump signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the Act) into law. The Act requires employers to provide paid leave for some employees related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, among other measures. The leave provisions of the Act take effect no later than 15 days …
Health insurance companies are taking action to ensure members have coverage for and access to needed testing as the new coronavirus strain, COVID-19, continues to spread across the United States. Carriers such as Aetna, Independence Blue Cross, Highmark, and Cigna are actively monitoring the spread of the virus; and diligently …
A patient’s ability to better access healthcare and overcome traditional barriers of time and distance comes with the help of innovative technologies. To keep up in a world consumed by tech, the healthcare industry continues to listen to the demands of its consumers with further acceptance and utilization of telemedicine. …
When an individual is searching for a job or is already currently employed, health benefits remain a high point of interest, a necessity, especially in a strong economy and tight labor market. Recent surveys suggest, 80% of employees would choose additional health benefits over a pay raise. This explains why …
Employers may feel relieved when insurance renewals are over, but the fact is their job is only half done. The next step en route to the finish line is Open Enrollment. During Open Enrollment, employees learn about benefits, select coverage, fill out enrollment forms and receive identification cards. It takes …
