May 14, 2020
IRS Notice 2020-33
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued IRS Notice 2020-33 (Notice) that increases the limit for unused health flexible spending account (health FSA) carryover amounts from $500 to a maximum of $550 (carried over from a 2020 plan year to a 2021 plan year), as adjusted annually for inflation. ...
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
Tips For Effectively Leading During A Crisis
The coronavirus crisis is, in a word, unprecedented. Business executives and department heads find themselves facing challenges that even a few months ago would have seemed unfathomable. As the world grapples with the anxiety and fear of a global pandemic, one recurring theme that has arisen is ...
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 9, 2020
Advocacy in Action | HR Relief
The Purple Card recently received an email from a Human Resource Director. She was so excited about the feedback that she was getting from her employees. Employee benefits are one thing she does not have to worry about! Because of The Purple Card, she won’t have to worry about employees going ...
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 ...
