As we approach our third new year since the first reported cases of COVID-19, related relief may seem like old news. Although much of the government-sponsored pandemic relief has expired, there are aspects that remain germane...more
With a new year comes new requirements for group health plans (GHPs) and insurers, and this legal update summarizes two new developments with immediate compliance implications. First, the tri-agencies (DOL, CMS, and Treasury)...more
In this legal update, our employee benefits attorneys cover three recent health and welfare plan developments....more
3/4/2021
/ CARES Act ,
COBRA ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Department of Labor (DOL) ,
EBSA ,
Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) ,
Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) ,
FSA ,
Health Insurance ,
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) ,
Healthcare ,
IRS
Effective October 23, 2020, the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has renewed the determination that a public health emergency relating to COVID-19 exists. Each renewed determination lasts for 90...more
Last week, the Department of Labor, the Department of the Treasury, and Health and Human Services (HHS) issued another set of COVID-19 FAQs for group health plans (GHPs)....more
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the ‘‘CARES Act’’) allows qualified retirement plans to permit participants affected by COVID-19 to (1) withdraw up to $100,000 from their eligible retirement plan...more
Originally posted on March 27, 2020. This post has been updated to reflect guidance published by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on May 4, 202...more
The Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) of the Department of Labor (DOL) and the Department of Treasury and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued a notification of relief, effective immediately, that extends...more
The Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) of the Department of Labor (DOL) and the Department of Treasury and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued a notification of relief, effective immediately, that extends...more
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the CARES Act) signed into law on March 27 by President Trump provides some welcome funding relief for employers who sponsor single-employer defined benefit pension...more
Congress has enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”), the third major federal piece of legislation responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act follows the enactment of the...more
4/3/2020
/ Benefit Plan Sponsors ,
CARES Act ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Employee Benefits ,
Employer Group Health Plans ,
Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) ,
Financial Stimulus ,
Health Insurance ,
Health Savings Accounts ,
New Rules ,
Relief Measures ,
Student Loans
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the ‘‘CARES Act’’) was passed into law March 27, 2020. The CARES Act provides a temporary waiver of required minimum distribution (“RMD”) rules for certain retirement...more
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the ‘‘CARES Act’’) was passed into law earlier today. The CARES Act provides additional flexibility for participants affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) to (1)...more
In the second major piece of legislation responding to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the President signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“Act”) into law on March 18, 2020....more
Washington Health Benefit Exchange Announces Special Enrollment Period -
Today, the IRS issued Notice 2020-15 clarifying that high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) may provide benefits associated with testing and treatment...more