READ TIME: 4 MINUTES Recently, the Departments of Labor, Treasury, and Health and Human Services (the “Departments”) released new frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the No Surprises Act and the Transparency in Coverage final rules, giving employers more guidance and clarity around health plan out-of-network providers and fee disclosures. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), […]
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Employers Encouraged to Expand Access to Group Health Plans
READ TIME: 5 MINUTES In a letter dated July 20, 2023, from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to employers, plan sponsors and issuers, the Biden-Harris Administration (the Administration) is encouraging those entities to expand mid-year enrollment opportunities in group health plans for employees and their dependents who are losing coverage under Medicaid. […]
Read moreWebinar: Are You My Employee? The Importance of Proper Classification
Tuesday, August 8, 2023 1 – 2PM CST Register Now Attend this month’s webinar to learn how to identify the many classifications of employees and encourage uniformity and equity.Gain insights into: The legal differences between an employee and an independent contractor The three categories to consider when classifying an independent contractor Tax considerations for the […]
Read moreDHS Terminates I-9 Form Remote Option Flexibility; Considerations for Remote Workers
READ TIME: 5 Minutes For employers that remotely verified I-9 forms during the pandemic, the deadline for completing in-person verification is fast approaching. As background, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had provided additional flexibility due to COVID-19 to review I-9 documentation remotely and had previously announced that employers would have until July 31, 2023, […]
Read moreJune 2023 Compliance Recap
READ TIME: 5 MINUTES June was preparation time for employers with self-funded plans and HRAs. The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fee will be due for those plans on July 31. Self-insured non-federal governmental health plans can no longer opt out of the MHPAEA, and COVID-19 Form I-9 flexibilities are ending. PCORI FEE DUE DATE […]
Read moreMay 2023 Compliance Recap
READ TIME: 7 MINUTES May brought a reminder memo from the IRS on claims substantiation and payment of medical and dependent care expenses, and an update for the 2024 HDHPs, HSAs, and Excepted Benefit HRA limits. The Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Treasury issued an FAQ on the Braidwood decision, which concluded that […]
Read moreThe Family and Medical Leave Act Compliance Guide
READ TIME: 7 MINUTES The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law passed in 1993. Its primary purpose is to provide job protection for eligible employees who need to take time off work to care for themselves or a family member with a serious health condition, or to care for a new […]
Read more2024 Limits Announced for High-Deductible Health Plans, Health Savings Accounts, and Excepted Benefit Health Reimbursement Arrangements
On May 16, 2023, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced the new limits for high-deductible health plans (HDHPs), health savings accounts (HSAs), and excepted benefit health reimbursement arrangements (EBHRAs) in Revenue Procedure 2023-23. The new limits for both HDHPs and HSAs will go into effect for calendar year 2024 while the HRA limits will go […]
Read moreDOL Cybersecurity Guidance: What Employers Need to Know for their Health and Welfare Plans
READ TIME: 5 MINUTES The Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) and the Department of Labor (DOL) continue their efforts in both civil and criminal investigations of employee benefits plans focusing on plan sponsors’ fiduciary duties. Employers with health and welfare plans must remember that one fiduciary duty of particular interest is the obligation to manage […]
Read moreWebinar: Navigate Your Way Through FMLA
Tuesday, June 13, 2023 1 – 2PM CST Register Now Attend this month’s webinar to learn how to recognize if you are a covered employer, which employees are eligible, and qualifying reasons for Family and Medical Leave (FMLA). Gain insights into: Regulations surrounding mental health and substance abuse leave Managing benefits during FMLA leave Coordination […]
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