On May 18, 2021, the IRS released its highly anticipated guidance on the 100% COBRA premium subsidies (the “Subsidy”) and the related tax credit under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (March 11, 2021) (“ARPA”) in Notice...more
On April 7, 2021, the Department of Labor (“DOL”) released initial guidance regarding the 100% COBRA premium subsidies under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARP”), and also issued model notices that can be used in...more
In the early morning hours of February 27, the House of Representatives narrowly passed H.R. 1319, the American Rescue Plan Act (the “Rescue Plan”), by a vote of 219-212. The Senate will now take up the sweeping $1.9 trillion...more
On February 18, 2021, the IRS released Notice 2021-15 (the “Notice”) interpreting section 214 of the Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2020 (the “Act”), enacted as Division EE of the Consolidated...more
As the COVID-19 pandemic began to overwhelm the country last spring, the Departments of Labor (“DOL”) and Treasury (together, the “Departments”) became concerned that the disruption caused by the pandemic would create...more
On January 7, 2021, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) finally released proposed rules regarding wellness programs under Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) (“ADA Proposed Rule”) and Title...more
This webinar will include a discussion on the various provisions of the new surprise billing law, how it interacts with current law, expected guidance from the Biden Administration, and implications for health insurance...more
1/6/2021
/ Biden Administration ,
Health Care Providers ,
Health Insurance ,
Health Plan Sponsors ,
Healthcare Reform ,
Hospitals ,
New Legislation ,
Out of Network Provider ,
Physicians ,
Surprise Medical Bills ,
Webinars
In the recently-decided Rutledge v. Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (“PCMA”), the Supreme Court found 8–0 (Justice Barrett did not take part) that ERISA did not preempt an Arkansas state law that established...more
1/5/2021
/ Corporate Counsel ,
Drug Pricing ,
Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) ,
Health Insurance ,
Pharmaceutical Industry ,
Pharmacies ,
Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) ,
Preemption ,
Prescription Drug Coverage ,
Prescription Drugs ,
Rutledge v Pharmaceutical Care Management Association ,
SCOTUS
On December 21, the House and Senate passed a $2.3 trillion omnibus appropriations and COVID-19 relief package, H.R. 133, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (the “Act”). President Trump signed the Act into law on...more
The dust has settled and the 2020 election has concluded with former Vice President Biden poised to become president. At the same time, Democratic control of the House of Representatives has narrowed to the smallest margin...more
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) provided employers valuable relief from the economic stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, by creating access to loans under the Paycheck Protection...more
On June 23, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) issued Notice 2020-51, which provides much-needed guidance on how defined contribution plans (including 403(b) and governmental 457(b) plans) and IRAs implement the waiver of...more
6/26/2020
/ Benefit Plan Sponsors ,
CARES Act ,
Defined Contribution Plans ,
Employee Benefits ,
Individual Retirement Account (IRA) ,
IRA Rollovers ,
IRS ,
Required Minimum Distributions ,
Retirement ,
Retirement Plan ,
Retirement Plan Providers ,
SECURE Act
On June 19, 2020, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) issued Notice 2020-50, which provides clarity to plan administrators and participants on coronavirus-related loans and distributions following the passage of the...more
Regular readers of this Benefits Brief will recall that there is a case challenging the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) percolating through the courts. ...more
Recently, plaintiffs’ firms have filed a flurry of class action lawsuits against employers, alleging violations of COBRA’s election notice requirements and seeking statutory and other penalties. ...more
Plan sponsors, service providers and plan participants have been eagerly awaiting guidance on the new Coronavirus Relief Distribution (CRD) and loan provisions that were added by Section 2202 of the CARES Act. Limited...more
On April 28th, the Employee Benefits Security Administration (“EBSA”) of the Department of Labor (“DOL”), together with the Department of the Treasury, issued helpful guidance for retirement plans that extends certain...more
Effective March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) brings immediate changes and relief to 401(k) plans, similar to natural disaster relief issued in the past. ...more
On Wednesday, March 25, 2020, the Senate passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (H.R. 748, the “CARES Act” or “the Act”). The Act is the largest economic stimulus bill in American history and provides...more
On March 18, 2020, the Senate voted to approve H.R. 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the “Act”), by a vote of 90-8. The version of the Act approved by the Senate is the same as the version with “technical...more
In the early morning hours of Saturday, March 14, 2020, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the “Act”), by a bipartisan vote of 363-40. The Senate has postponed its...more
3/17/2020
/ China ,
Clinical Laboratory Testing ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Cost-Sharing ,
Crisis Management ,
Emergency Management Plans ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) ,
Health and Safety ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Paid Leave ,
Paid Time Off (PTO) ,
Pending Legislation ,
Preventive Health Care ,
Public Health ,
Sick Pay ,
Tax Credits ,
Workplace Safety
As you may recall, in late September, we expected a decision from the Fifth Circuit in Texas v. United States—the case challenging the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA)—in the fall of...more
1/10/2020
/ Affordable Care Act ,
Appeals ,
Case or Controversy ,
Congressional Authority ,
Constitutional Challenges ,
Department of Justice (DOJ) ,
Health Insurance ,
Individual Mandate ,
Intervenors ,
Motion to Expedite ,
Penalties ,
Petition for Writ of Certiorari ,
Remand ,
SCOTUS ,
Severability Doctrine ,
Shared Responsibility Rule ,
Standing ,
Tax Penalties