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[Guidance Overview]
It's Time for Health and Welfare Spring Cleaning!
"[1] CA's individual mandate replaces the ACA individual mandate for CA taxpayers ... [2] California expands its definition of domestic partner ... [3] Cadillac tax repealed ... [4] PCORI fees: it's not just your clock that springs forward ... [5] For employers who took advantage of the employer credit for paid family and medical leave ... it has been extended to 2020."
Trucker Huss
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[Guidance Overview]
Amid Coronavirus Concerns, Don't Forget HIPAA Privacy Rules
"A recent bulletin from [HHS] clarified the application of HIPAA's privacy rules, including their exception for public health-related disclosures, in the Coronavirus context. 'The protections of the Privacy Rule are not set aside during an emergency,' but the rule still allows protected health information (PHI) to be used and disclosed 'when necessary to treat a patient, to protect the nation's public health, and for other critical purposes,' HHS's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) explained."
HR Daily Advisor
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[Guidance Overview]
IRS Publication 5137: Fringe Benefit Guide (PDF)
67 pages; rev. Feb. 2020. "This publication covers: [1] How to determine whether specific types of benefits or compensation are taxable. [2] Procedures for computing the taxable value of fringe benefits. [3] Rules for withholding federal income, Social Security and Medicare taxes from taxable fringe benefits. [4] Reporting of the taxable value of fringe benefits on Forms W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, and 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Income. [5] How to contact the IRS with questions on taxation and reporting requirements."
Internal Revenue Service [IRS]
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Waive Fees for Coronavirus Tests and Treatment, Health Experts Urge
"New York is among the first states in the country to waive some fees and expenses for people who undergo testing for the coronavirus, as public health officials are increasingly worried that medical bills will discourage the poor and uninsured from getting medical care. The federal government is also considering paying for care for those affected, possibly based on funds available through federal disaster relief programs."
The New York Times; subscription may be required
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Weak Payment Reform Limits Impact of ACA Primary Care Initiatives
"Seven primary care initiatives under the [ACA] generated disappointing or mixed results for healthcare spending, hospitalizations, and quality. For most of the initiatives, there was either no effect on spending or relatively small increases in spending. For participants in ACA primary care initiatives, keys to success include buy-in among clinicians and other staff at practices."
HealthLeaders Media
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Paid Family and Medical Leave Gains Momentum
"[An] increasing number of Americans have access to paid leave and short-term disability -- as many as 40 percent of families. But advocates argue that with no federal protections the 19 percent of civilian (non-government) workers with access to paid leave through their employer remain vulnerable to having that benefit reduced or eliminated in bad economic times. With federal action still stalled, a debate has emerged about how best to advance paid leave."
Steven Findlay, in Health Affairs
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