Monday, March 1, 2021
The Department of Labor (DOL) has issued new guidance regarding notice and disclosure timeframe relief for employee benefit plans and plan participants due to COVID-19. EBSA Disaster Relief Notice 2021-01 (The Joint Notice) clarifies that the deadline for extended timeframes, such as a COBRA election, are based on each participant’s individual circumstances, rather than on a fixed period applicable to all notices and disclosures. This interpretation will create significant administrative challenges for plan sponsors and administrators.
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
Walking through the streets of downtown San Francisco recently, it was sad to see a hotel boarded up with an announcement that they would be closed until further notice.
Monday, February 22, 2021
This week, the IRS released guidance further clarifying items in the recently passed Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (CAA) permitting flexibility for health flexible spending arrangements (FSAs), dependent care account plans (DCAPs) and cafeteria plan election change rules.
Thursday, February 18, 2021
Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act’s (HIPAA) Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information (Privacy Rule), covered entities (payers, insurers, hospitals, physicians, and other healthcare providers) must act on an individual’s request for access to their health records within 30 days.
Monday, February 15, 2021
In a slow news cycle, the new long-term care (LTC) law in Washington state would have received a little more coverage in 2020. With the world on its ear though, if you missed the news, you’re not alone.
Thursday, February 11, 2021
Construction is a rewarding and exciting industry. The industry is one of the largest employers and has provided significant prosperity to many over the years.
Monday, February 8, 2021
The 2020 commercial insurance market was a difficult one, and 2021 doesn’t seem to be any different.
Wednesday, February 3, 2021
When the Affordable Care Act was passed, it included mandated insurance coverage for all Americans, known as the individual mandate.
Thursday, January 21, 2021
As the Centers for Disease Control continues to roll out the new COVID-19 vaccines, there are several issues employers should be thinking about as they determine what steps, if any, they intend to take to provide or require vaccination of their employees.
Thursday, January 21, 2021
The EEOC released long-awaited proposed rules addressing what type of incentive can be offered for participation in a wellness program without violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA).
Thursday, January 14, 2021
The pandemic has upended so many aspects of our lives this year, leaving many with uncertainty and worry. Congress extended a lifeline by passing the CARES Act to support…
Friday, January 8, 2021
As COVID-19 vaccines become available, many employers will have a strong case for requiring employee vaccinations, so long as their vaccination policies have certain exceptions, are job-related, and are consistent with business necessity, legal experts say.