compliance
June 29, 2021
DOL Requires Disclosure of Audio Recordings Under ERISA Claims Procedure
The Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued Information Letter 06-14-2021 in which the DOL opined that audio recordings of a conversation between a participant and plan representative, and transcripts of the recordings, are subject to disclosure during the claims adjudication process under ...
June 24, 2021
Transitional Relief May Be Transitioning Out
Employers providing health coverage are required in many cases to report annual information returns and statements regarding employee and dependent coverage to the IRS. Notice 2020-76 provided relief from penalties for certain aspects of the 2020 information-reporting requirements as it relates ...
June 18, 2021
IRS Tool for Advance Child Tax Credit
On June 14, 2021, the IRS issued a news release which unveiled an online Non-filer Sign-up tool designed to help eligible families who don’t normally file tax returns register for the monthly Advance Child Tax Credit payments, scheduled to begin July 15. The tool is also designed to help ...
June 18, 2021
Supreme Court Upholds the Affordable Care Act
On June 17, 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) by a 7-to-2 vote. The Court heard oral arguments in the case, California v. Texas, on November 10, 2020, which was a consolidation of 20 cases filed by state attorneys ...
June 14, 2021
Compliance Reminder | PCORI Fee Notice
This is a reminder that the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fee imposed by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) on your health plan is due by 07/31/21. The fee is due by July 31st of the year following the end of the plan year. The following chart will ...
June 9, 2021
Compliance Recap | May 2021
May 2021 was a somewhat busy month in the benefits industry. The absence of a significant of amount of agency guidance during the summer months is to be expected. However, the IRS finally issued guidance on the temporary 100% COBRA subsidy mandated by the American Plan Rescue Act of 2021 (the ...
June 9, 2021
IRS Draft Form 941 Reflects COBRA Subsidy Tax Credit
The IRS recently released a draft of the revised 2021 version of Form 941, Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Return, in order to, in part, reflect the tax credit in connection with the 100% COBRA subsidy under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP). The COBRA subsidy is required to be provided to ...
June 8, 2021
BCBSA Antitrust Settlement Classes Eligible for Proceeds
June 7, 2021 November 5, 2021 is the deadline for filing a claim in connection with the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) $2.67 billion settlement reached in October 2020. The class action lawsuit was filed more than eight years ago by subscribers seeking injunctive and compensatory ...
May 27, 2021
IRS Guidance on Reduction in Hours for COBRA Subsidy Eligibility
May 26, 2021 The IRS recently issued IRS Notice 2021-31 in the form of FAQs, which provides extensive guidance on the COBRA subsidy under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP). Previously, the Department of Labor (DOL), in consultation with the Department of Treasury and the IRS, issued ...
May 25, 2021
IRS Guidance on Involuntary Termination for COBRA Subsidy Eligibility
On May 18, 2021, the IRS issued IRS Notice 2021-31 in the form of FAQs, which provides extensive guidance on the COBRA subsidy under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP). Previously, the Department of Labor (DOL), in consultation with the Department of the Treasury and the IRS, issued ...
