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Health & Welfare Plans Newsletter September 8, 2020 |
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Newly Posted The Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave Act Starts January 2021: What You Need to Know
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Discussions |
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This Newsletter:
BenefitsLink Retirement Plans Newsletter:
Message Boards Digest:
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[Guidance Overview]
"[W]hile the creation of an IT asset inventory list is not required under the HIPAA Security Rule, it could be helpful in the development of a risk analysis, and in turn and implementing appropriate safeguards -- which are HIPAA Security Rule requirements. Essentially, if an organization doesn't know what IT assets it has or where its ePHI is, how can it effectively assess the risks associated with those assets and information and protect them?" Jackson Lewis |
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[Guidance Overview]
"According to the DOL, a school that is conducting distance learning, but is closed to in-person attendance, is considered 'closed' under the FFCRA. Likewise, a school that is open on a hybrid or alternate day basis is considered 'closed' on the days when the child is unable to attend in person.... In addition to this recent guidance, employers should keep in mind that an employee who is unable to work at their normal work site as the result of a qualifying school closure, but is permitted to telework (and is able to do so), is not 'unable to work.' " Miles & Stockbridge |
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"Many insurers ... have automatically waived copays for telemedicine provided by in-network providers under their policies. self-insured employers have the power to choose how they want to handle cost-sharing, although many have already been defaulted into waiving cost-sharing unless they affirmatively opted out.... While these opportunities have been available in one form or another for years, their value in the workplace has become much more apparent as a result of the pandemic." Nelson Mullins, via Daily Report |
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"Direct costs related to COVID-19 varied widely among plans, but a significant amount of care was delayed or cancelled in the first half of the year. Even accounting for unplanned expenses due to COVID-19 testing and treatment, overall health care costs are likely to be lower in 2020 than was projected prior to the pandemic[.]" Wolters Kluwer; free registration required |
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"We now have decisions in three of the five pending lawsuits over the Trump administration's rule on Section 1557.... In the meantime, briefing is ongoing in two other lawsuits (one in Massachusetts and one in New York) over the new rule.... [And] a longstanding challenge from 2016 to the Obama administration's rule on Section 1557 continues before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals." Katie Keith, via Health Affairs Blog |
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"While the cost of specialty drugs [has continued] to rise, the cost of traditional drugs is now falling. The net impact is modest changes in drug prices (<5%) since 2016." Healthcare Economist |
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Press Releases |
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Most Popular Items in the Previous Issue |
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BLS Factsheet: High Deductible Health Plans and Health Savings Accounts
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How Should Employers Think About Resetting Health Benefits Post-Pandemic?
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