compliance
May 14, 2020
IRS Notice 2020-29
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued IRS Notice 2020-29 (Notice) that provides increased flexibility for making mid-year elections or changes under a Section 125 cafeteria plan during calendar year 2020 related to employer-sponsored health coverage, health flexible spending arrangements ...
May 13, 2020
Employee Retention Tax Credit: Qualified Health Plan Expenses FAQ Update
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) updated its COVID-19-Related Employee Retention Credits: Amount of Allocable Qualified Health Plan Expenses FAQs. The FAQs provide guidance on determining the amount of allocable qualified health plan expenses that may be treated as qualified wages for the ...
May 12, 2020
Final 2021 Benefit Payment and Parameters Rule
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a final rule for benefit payment and parameters for 2021. According to CMS, the final rule is intended to reduce fiscal and regulatory burdens associated with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) across different ...
May 8, 2020
Updated Department of Labor Model COBRA Notices
The Department of Labor (DOL) released updated Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) model notices and frequently asked questions (FAQs) providing general information on the updated model notices. The FAQs note that the DOL provides a model general COBRA notice and ...
May 4, 2020
Final Rule on the Extension of Certain Timeframes for Employee Benefit Plans, Participants, and Beneficiaries Due to COVID-19
On March 13, 2020, President Trump issued the Proclamation on Declaring a National Emergency Concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak and by separate letter made a determination, under Section 501(b) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, ...
May 4, 2020
FAQ on Issuer Flexibility for Utilization Management and Prior Authorization Due to COVID-19
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued frequently asked questions (FAQs) on utilization management and prior authorization under individual, large group, and small group plans offered by health insurance issuers to mitigate the impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 ...
April 28, 2020
Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act
In response to the spread of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19), President Trump signed the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (PPPHCEA) into law on April 24, 2020. The PPPHCEA is phase 3.5 in Congress’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic following the ...
April 21, 2020
New IRS Form 7200 FFCRA and CARES Act Tax Credit
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently released IRS Form 7200 along with completion Instructions. Form 7200 may be used by an employer to request an advance payment of tax credits for paid leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and under the Coronavirus Aid, ...
April 14, 2020
The CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program Update
The Department of the Treasury (Treasury) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) issued frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) established under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). The PPP provides small employers with an ...
April 14, 2020
Remaining ADA-Compliant Under COVID-19
The coronavirus crisis has forced human resources teams to juggle more challenges than ever before, from employee benefits and sick leave to new teleworking policies. On top of this, the drastic change in the American workplace has spawned new laws and protocols, while raising questions about ...
