(3 MINUTE READ) 3/2/2021 Update: The DOL issued EBSA Disaster Relief Notice 2021-01 providing that the outbreak period relief noted below ends on the earlier of one year from the date an individual or plan was first eligible for relief (extension period) or the original outbreak period of 60 days after the announced end of […]
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The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 – Part 2 DCAPs and Exchange Health Insurance
(1 MINUTE READ) On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Act). The Act is a $1.9 trillion legislative package, which contains several provisions intended to relieve employers and families from some of the economic burdens associated with COVID-19. The Act contains funding for the Centers for Disease Control […]
Read moreConsolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 Part 4 | Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Benefits Parity
(3 MINUTE READ) The Consolidated Appropriation Act, 2021 (Appropriations Act) signed into law on December 27, 2020, includes several provisions requiring that group health plans and health insurance insurers provide comparative analysis regarding utilization and compliance with the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (the MHPAEA), with […]
Read moreBim Group named one of the 2021 Best Places to Work in Kentucky!
Bim Group is honored to be named a Best Place to Work (BPTW) in Kentucky for the 16th year in a row! It truly never gets old and we are extremely proud of our perennial recognition as a “Best Place to Work” employer – a designation bestowed on our company by our employees. We have a unique […]
Read moreHR Elements: Leading through Burnout
The World Health Organization (WHO) expanded its definition of burnout as an “occupational phenomenon,” giving credence to a set of conditions that many have experienced but not been able to name. According to WHO, burnout is characterized by “feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion; increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related […]
Read moreConsolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 Part 3 Temporary Health FSA and DCAP Relief
(10 MINUTE READ) Update 2/22/21: The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued Notice 2021-15 clarifying the relief provided under the Appropriations Act for health FSAs and DCAPs and provides additional cafeteria plan relief. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Appropriations Act), enacted on December 27, 2020, contains temporary rules to provide relief for participants in health flexible […]
Read moreProposed Rules on Wellness Programs subject to the ADA or GINA
(4 MINUTE READ) 2/23/2021 Update: The proposed rules on wellness programs described below have been withdrawn by the EEOC pursuant to the Biden Administration regulatory freeze. Until further action is taken, the current final rules on wellness programs remain in effect. See our Advisor on the current wellness program rules. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission […]
Read moreCompliance Recap: January 2021
( 7 MINUTE READ ) January was a busy month in the employee benefits world. President Biden issued a memorandum putting a regulatory freeze on new rules. President Biden also issued an executive order on strengthening Medicaid and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). The Department of Labor (DOL) released inflation-adjusted federal civil […]
Read moreWebinar: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 Group Health Plan Considerations and COVID-19 Vaccine Wellness
Tuesday, March 9, 2021 2:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. PT Register Now On December 27, 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Appropriations Act) was enacted. The Appropriations Act contains various provisions affecting group health plans including health flexible spending arrangement (health FSA) and dependent care flexible spending arrangement (DCAP) relief, mental health and substance […]
Read moreCompliance Recap: December 2020
( 6 MINUTE READ ) December was a busy month in the employee benefits world. President Trump signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, which includes the No Surprises Act and other group health plan provisions. The Centers for Disease Control Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) issued two interim recommendations for COVID‑19 vaccines. The Department […]
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