READ TIME: 4 MINUTES While the compliance focus for April continues to be on the Prescription Drug Data Collection (RxDC) of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a Fact Sheet announcing the 2024 benefit parameters for Medicare Part D. 2024 Benefit Parameters for Medicare Part D Creditable […]
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Update on the End of the COVID-19 National Emergency and Public Health Emergency
READ TIME: 5 MINUTES In January 2023, the Biden administration announced its intent to end the COVID-19 national emergency and the COVID-19 public health emergency effective May 11, 2023, directly impacting the coverage of certain COVID-19 services as well as the timeframes for participants for certain health plan-related deadlines, such as special enrollment, COBRA election, […]
Read moreDOL Signals July 10 as End of COVID-19 Outbreak Period, Despite Early End to National Emergency
READ TIME: 6 MINUTES On Monday, April 10, 2023, President Biden signed Congress’s jointly-introduced H.J Res. 7 into law, ending the COVID-19 National Emergency immediately instead of on May 11, 2023, as previously announced. However, the Department of Labor (DOL) has unofficially signaled that its previous guidance issued on March 29, 2023, stands, including guidance […]
Read moreFAQs about the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Fee
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fee initially applied from 2012 to 2019. However, in December 2019, the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 extended the fee to 2029. The PCORI fee applies to all plans that provide medical coverage to employees. Medical coverage includes preferred provider (PPO) plans, health maintenance organization (HMO) plans, point-of-service (POS) […]
Read moreIRS Updates Mileage Rates
IRS has issued Notice 2023-03 in which it provides the new adjusted amounts taxpayers may use in computing certain costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical, or moving expense purposes. There is nothing groundbreaking in the announced rates, which include 65.5 cents per mile for all miles of business use. However, employers who […]
Read moreOCR Warns of HIPAA Pitfalls in Using Online Tracking Technologies
READ TIME: 6 MINUTES The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) has released a bulletin emphasizing the duties covered entities and business associates must meet when using online tracking technologies to collect and analyze information about how users interact with regulated entities’ websites or mobile apps. […]
Read moreMarch 2023 Compliance Recap
READ TIME: 6 MINUTES After a slow start to the year in compliance, March ramped up with FAQs from the Department of Labor (DOL), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) (the “Agencies”) on the gag clause provision of the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA), including how to submit […]
Read moreEBSA Announces Priorities for 2023
READ TIME: 5 MINUTES The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) recently released its 2022 Unified Regulatory Agenda and Regulatory Plan (Agenda), which outlines regulatory actions federal agencies are considering in the coming year. The Agenda provides insight into rulemaking priorities at the Employee Benefit Security Administration (EBSA) that employers will need to be prepared […]
Read more2023 Federal Poverty Level Released, Impacts ACA Affordability Safe Harbor
READ TIME: 3 MINUTES The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) has released its updated federal poverty level (FPL) guidance for 2023. The mainland FPL increases in 2023 to $14,580 (the FPL for Alaska will be $18,210, and for Hawaii will be $16,770). Applicable large employers (ALEs) should take note of the new […]
Read moreWebinar: Benefit Considerations during Layoffs, Mergers, and Acquisitions
Tuesday, April 11, 2023 1 – 2PM CST Register Now Attend this month’s webinar to learn how to effectively manage benefits in a slowing economy. Gain insights into: Benefit and COBRA references in employment contracts and severance agreements How temporary layoffs and furloughs may affect Affordable Care Act (ACA) reporting obligations What determines if the […]
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