The impact of COVID-19 on our health, employment and economy has encouraged many to be more proactive when it comes to their finances. Two-thirds (67%) of Americans say that the pandemic has been a wake-up call for them to reevaluate their finances, according to a new study by Life Happens, a nonprofit dedicated to educating consumers about the importance of life insurance and other related products for sound financial planning.
Read MoreAs benefit consultants consider the many challenges that confront their clients in the post-COVID-19 recovery efforts, it may be beneficial to revisit in-place employee benefit strategies due to several influences the pandemic has had on healthcare and the workplace environment.
Read MoreThe IRS issued Notice 2020-54 to help employers properly report 2020 emergency paid sick leave and expanded family medical leave wages paid to employees under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”).
Read MoreWith the summer season officially upon us, the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (“the Department”) has issued Field Assistance Bulletin (“FAB”) 2020-4 to clarify when benefits under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”) may be available due to a summer camp or enrichment program being closed due to coronavirus-related reasons.
Read MoreOn June 15, 2020, the Supreme Court held in Bostock v. Clayton County that firing an employee because of the employee’s sexual orientation or gender identity is a form of sex discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Title VII generally applies to employers in both the private and public sector that have 15 or more employees.
Read MoreOn June 12, 2020, the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) issued a final rule which narrows the interpretation and application of the nondiscrimination rules under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) by removing protections on the basis of gender identity, further specifying who is subject to Section 1557 and removing certain notice requirements.
Read MoreOn June 23, 2020, the Departments of Labor, the Treasury, and Health and Human Services (“HHS”) (collectively, “the Departments”) issued FAQ Part 43, which includes certain guidance on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”) and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”), as well as other COVID-19 health plan issues.
Read MoreMembers in Small Group POS plans can get the care they need when
they need it — nationwide.
If a member needs health care or has an emergency while living or traveling outside
of our tri-state area, he or she can use the First Health Network to find a doctor
and receive covered in-network care. First Health is an NCQA-accredited provider
network, with consistent processes that gives members access to a wide range of
high-quality inpatient and outpatient services in both urban and rural areas.
Read MoreMassachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) today announced the nationwide expansion of MassMutual HealthBridge, which provides free term life insurance to frontline healthcare workers who directly interact with patients fighting the virus. Previously, HealthBridge was available in MassMutual’s home states as well as those hardest hit by the pandemic. Now it will reach these critical individuals coast to coast.
Read MoreUnder a proposed rule issued by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), certain direct primary care fees and health care sharing ministries membership expenses may be considered eligible medical expenses under Code Section 213(d).
Read MoreThe Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) are cautioning employers from using antibody testing as part of a return to work strategy. This guidance is based on information known to date and could be revised in the future should antibody testing become more reliable. For now, antibody testing should not be used in return to work strategies.
It should be noted that group health plans must cover COVID-19 testing, and other services resulting in the order for a COVID-19 test, without cost-sharing (i.e., no copays or deductibles), through the end of the emergency period (currently July 25, 2020, unless extended or shortened). An antibody test in this context would be covered at 100%. Generally, such a test would relate to the items and services furnished during a healthcare provider office visit for the evaluation of an individual for COVID-19 and is not part of a return to work strategy.
The following provides additional background.
Read MoreWhen you enrolled in your health plan (Plan) you received a Summary of Benefits and Coverage document (SBC) to help you understand your Plan’s Schedule of Benefits. The following temporary changes have been made to your Plan’s Schedule of Benefits. For the purpose of this notice, cost share means the amount of co-payment, co-insurance and/or deductible which you would otherwise be responsible for when you receive certain health care services.
Read MoreFederal civil rights law protects gay, lesbian and transgender workers, the Supreme Court ruled Monday.
The landmark ruling will extend protections to millions of workers nationwide and is a defeat for the Trump administration, which argued that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act that bars discrimination based on sex did not extend to claims of gender identity and sexual orientation.
Read MoreThe current stage of the COVID-19 pandemic has employers scrambling to continue or restart their business operations while also protecting the health and safety of their employees. At the same time, many business owners may be looking to the future and wondering what impact this virus will have on insurance premiums.
Read MoreDuring an infectious disease outbreak, such as the current outbreak of COVID-19, small business owners must prepare for disruption in their business as well as prepare to protect their employees’ health and safety in the workplace.
Read MoreThe Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (PCOR) fee filing deadline is July 31, 2020 for all self-funded medical plans and HRAs for plan years ending in 2019. Year-end federal legislation reinstated the PCOR fee through September 30, 2029. The IRS issued Notice 2020-44 announcing the adjusted fee amount for this year as well as limited transition relief.
Read MoreThe rules small business owners need to follow in order to get their federal loans forgiven just got more lenient under the Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act.
But they may also have gotten a bit more complicated too -- at least for those small business owners who already secured a PPP loan under the old rules and want to take advantage of the new ones.
Read MoreHealth insurer Anthem Inc. is providing $2.5 billion in Covid-19 assistance to its customers and the communities it services, the company announced Thursday.
The relief will be in the form of premium credits, the continued waiver of copays and other out-of-pocket costs for treatment, and community support, the Indianapolis-based Blue Cross Blue Shield operator said in a news release. Anthem, one of the nation’s largest health benefits companies, operates 14 Blue Cross Blue Shield plans across the U.S.
Read MoreOn March 26, 2020, New Jersey Governor Murphy signed Senate Bill 2304 which expands the Temporary Disability Benefits (TDB) and Family Leave Insurance (FLI) programs effective immediately. The law also provides for job protection under the New Jersey Family Leave Act (NJFLA) and expands New Jersey’s Earned Sick Leave Law (ESLL). On April 14, 2020, the Governor also signed into law, Senate Bill 2374, which amends the NJFLA and FLI to provide job protected, paid leave to care for family members quarantined due to COVID-19, and amends the NJFLA to provide for job-protected unpaid leave to care for children due to school closures.
Read MoreThe UnitedHealthcare Motion® program is being extended to members of certain Oxford plans, in an effort to further motivate even more members to practice active, healthier lifestyles.
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