Benefits Blast
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February 2, 2023
|5 min read
COVID-19 Federal Emergency Declarations Ending in May 2023: The Impact on Private Health Plans
declarations to May 11, 2023, and to end both emergency declarations on that date. The Public Health Emergency was initially declared by the Department
of Health and Human Services as of January 27, 2020. The Secretary of Health and Human Services has authority to renew the Public Health Em...Read more
October 26, 2021
|10 min read
2022 Proxy Season: A Look Ahead to Executive Compensation Issues and Considerations
related supply chain issues and (2) the unprecedented interest in issues surrounding executive compensation, it is important to prepare early to avoid any
unanticipated hitches and take advantage of opportunities to proactively address compensation matters through effective proxy disclosures, well...Read more
May 14, 2021
|3 min read
changes to rules governing dependent care flexible spending accounts (DCFSAs) as set forth under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA), and the
American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA).
April 16, 2021
April 9, 2021
|8 min read
DOL Issues Guidance on COBRA Subsidy Provision under the American Rescue Plan Act
American Rescue Plan Act (the Act).
April 1, 2021
Episode 13: Retention Credit Opportunities for Tax-Exempt Organizations
discuss the Retention Credit details, guidelines, and opportunities for tax-exempt organizations.
February 26, 2021
|3 min read
Tri-Agencies Clarify Outbreak Period Relief Due to COVID-19
deadlines included the timeframe to elect COBRA coverage, make initial and subsequent COBRA payments, request special enrollment in a group health plan
and file certain claims and appeals under ERISA.
February 25, 2021
|5 min read
January 6, 2021
|2 min read
CAA Benefits Alert: Employers May Now Pay Employees Student Loan Assistance Benefits Until 2026
to $5,250 per year through January 1, 2026. This is a five-year extension of a provision originally enacted in the CARES Act.
January 6, 2021
|6 min read
and imposes additional reporting and compliance obligations on group health plans and health insurance issuers that provide mental health (MH) and/or
substance use disorder (SUD) benefits.
January 6, 2021
|8 min read
Appropriations Act, 2021. The aptly-named “No Surprises Act” (the Act) is the result of a multi-year, bi-partisan effort to end surprise billing for medical plan
participants and hold them harmless from balance billing by out-of-network providers, including federally regulated air ambulances.
December 30, 2020
|2 min read
certain natural disasters in 2020 through February 25, 2021.
December 30, 2020
|2 min read
fund a portion of their retiree medical benefit liabilities.
December 29, 2020
|5 min read
receive to steer health plan sponsors to certain insurance carriers, benefits administrators, and other vendors. These new comprehensive disclosure rules
add a layer of transparency to what has otherwise been a gray area for many employer plan sponsors and are more comprehensive than limite...Read more
December 29, 2020
|3 min read
CAA Benefits Alert: 2021 Appropriations Bill Adds New Restrictions on “Gag Clauses” for Health Plans
insurers, and issuers of health insurance coverage (together, Covered Parties) from entering into contracts that restrict a plan from accessing and sharing
certain information.
December 29, 2020
|7 min read
CAA Benefits Alert: Flexible Spending Account Relief in the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act
(FSAs). These voluntary rules will benefit participants who have FSA funds left over due to medical care provider and school/daycare closures and remote
work arrangements in 2020 as a result of the pandemic.
December 29, 2020
|3 min read
CAA Benefits Alert: New Health Plan Reporting on Pharmacy Benefits and Drug Costs
issuer that offers group or individual health insurance to submit an informational report on pharmacy benefits and drug costs with the Secretary of Health
and Human Services (HHS), the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of the Treasury. Church plans are exempt from this reporting requirement.
October 12, 2020
|1 min read
HHS Secretary Azar’s Renewal Declaration Extends COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Period into 2021
declaration, effective October 23, 2020. This is the third extension of the public health emergency declaration.
July 24, 2020
|1 min read
HHS Secretary Azar Renews COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Declaration
health emergency declaration, which was scheduled to end this week.
July 8, 2020
|3 min read
IRS Provides COVID-19 Relief for Mid-Year Changes to Safe Harbor 401(k) Plans
responding to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.