[Guidance Overview]

Flexible Spending Accounts: IRS Guidance on Permissive Changes (PDF)

42 presentation slides. "If a company does decide to amend for these FSA provisions, it will first need to confirm ... that the TPA can administer [them] before communicating [the changes] to its employees.... [T]he CAA and [Notice 2021-15] allow additional time for companies to adopt formal plan amendments"  MORE >>

Trucker Huss

[Guidance Overview]

IRS Issues Guidance on Consolidated Appropriations Act FSA Forfeiture Relief

"[A table] shows the key differences (and in some cases, similarities) between the standard cafeteria plan rules and the [relief provided in Notice 2021-15]."  MORE >>

Thompson Hine

[Guidance Overview]

DOL Extends COBRA and Claims Tolling in the Worst Way

"This change makes the tolling period much more difficult to administer because it will now be individualized for each affected participant and situation, rather than ending at a uniform date.... [P]lan administrators should ... be prepared to send out new notices restating the end of the COBRA election period, prioritizing election periods that started last March or before."  MORE >>

Davis Wright Tremaine LLP

[Guidance Overview]

DOL Issues Clarifying Guidance When the COVID National Emergency Will End

"As employers and plan administrators navigate these rules, they should consider the following: Administrative simplification.... COBRA premium management.... COBRA subsidies.... Notices."  MORE >>

Nixon Peabody LLP

[Guidance Overview]

Don't Restart the Clock Just Yet: COBRA, HIPAA, Other Deadlines Further Extended

"[The DOL] acknowledged that there may be instances where plans and service providers are not able to comply with disclosure or claims processing requirements due to the COVID pandemic or other natural disaster-related disruption and indicated that it would allow leeway in such situations if fiduciaries have acted in good faith and with reasonable diligence under the circumstances."  MORE >>

Nelson Mullins

[Guidance Overview]

New Guidance On COVID-19 Testing And Vaccines

"[The latest] guidance ... confirms that plans and insurers must cover, without cost-sharing, COVID-19 tests for asymptomatic individuals ... But the Departments do not go so far as to require coverage for general workplace health and safety or public health surveillance testing."  MORE >>

Health Affairs Blog

[Guidance Overview]

Group Health Plans Must Perform Comparative Analyses of Non-Quantitative Treatment Limitations Under Mental Health Parity

"While the Act did not add any additional penalties for noncompliance, the agencies can apply existing penalties to plans within their jurisdictions. For example, the DOL can assess a penalty of up to $161 per day for failure to provide requested mental health parity documents to participants."  MORE >>

Cheiron

House Passes Health and Tax Changes as Part of New COVID-19 Legislation

"The Rescue Plan allows assistance-eligible individuals to pay just 15% of the COBRA premium, with the remaining 85% paid by the employer, plan, or insurer and reimbursed by the government through a refundable FICA tax credit.... The legislation would also extend the availability of the refundable paid sick leave and family and medical leave credits through September 30, 2021."  MORE >>

Groom Law Group

HSA and Retirement Planning

"A growing number of employers have their HSAs administered alongside their retirement plans ... Contributions above the required cash balance are invested like 401(k) assets. Greater savings to HSAs can be encouraged, as well, by matching employee contributions."  MORE >>

HUB International

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Quantum Health Receives 2021 Stevie® Award for Customer Service Excellence

Quantum Health

Hub International Acquires the Assets of Texas-based Wellspring Insurance Agency, Inc.

HUB International

Betterment's 401(k) Partners with Zenefits to Strengthen Retirement Readiness and Financial Wellness for Small and Mid-sized Businesses

Betterment

► View More Press Releases

New Guidance on Health Plans' COVID-19 Coverage Obligations

Sheppard Mullin

If I Could Turn Back Time ... and Then Add a Year

Holland & Hart LLP

Government Clarifies End of Benefit Plan 'Outbreak Period'

Warner Norcross & Judd LLP