"[New York] state continues to mandate paid COVID-19 sick leave in most cases.... [P]aid New York COVID-19 leave does not have an end or sunset date.... This leave is in addition to traditional sick leave. If employees can return to work sooner than the leave period, the employer can require employees to do so. Employees using COVID-19 leave must be paid the amount that the employee would have otherwise received had they continued to work as scheduled."  MORE >>

"[T]he provision allows health savings account (HSA)-qualifying high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) to cover telehealth and other remote-care services on a pre-deductible basis. Additionally, an otherwise HSA-eligible individual can receive pre-deductible coverage for telehealth and other remote-care services from a stand-alone vendor outside of the HDHP ... In both cases, the pre-deductible telehealth coverage won't hinder an individual's eligibility to make or receive HSA contributions."  MORE >>

"As of Jan. 1, health insurers and employers that offer health plans must provide online calculators for patients to get detailed estimates of what they will owe -- taking into account deductibles and copayments -- for a range of services and drugs.... Insurers must make the cost information available for 500 nonemergency services considered 'shoppable,' meaning patients generally have time to consider their options."  MORE >>

"When providers do dispute payments, they face months-long waits to work out whether their claims are eligible and to ultimately receive reimbursements ... [M]ost insurers are not providing specific enough information to determine the right venue for a dispute, despite CMS giving insurers a standardized way to do that."  MORE >>

"Seventy percent of private industry workers had access to medical care benefits in March 2022. Forty-seven percent of workers participated in a medical care plan offered by their employer, resulting in a take-up rate of 66 percent.... Access, participation, and take-up rates varied among the geographic areas. In Pacific states, 74 percent of private industry workers had access to medical care benefits. In West South Central states, 67 percent had access."  MORE >>

"[It] is important to understand employees' caregiving status and child care requirements. Utilizing tools such as caregiver Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), employee surveys, and open discussion sessions will help determine employees' unique child care needs. Employers should use a range of questions to uncover insights about possible child care options that would benefit their employees and their business."  MORE >>

"The 2023 mileage rate took effect Jan. 1. In addition to the 65.5 cents per mile driven for business use, the IRS also announced the standard mileage rate for 2023 will be: 22 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes for qualified active-duty members of the armed forces, consistent with the increased midyear rate set for the second half of 2022. 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations; the rate is set by statute and remains unchanged from 2022. These rates apply to electric and hybrid-electric automobiles, as well as gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles, the IRS announced."  MORE >>

"The deadline for SECURE Act and CARES Act amendments was extended.... There is still no final word on mandatory arbitration of ERISA claims ... Fee disclosure for welfare plans -- similar to the disclosures required for pension plans -- is required.... A new health plan transparency requirement to provide internet-based price comparison tools comes into effect in 2023.... We should expect to see: ... More efforts to provide coverage for workers without employer plans.... Interest and use of telehealth will increase.... Steps will be taken to protect innocent participants whose accounts are stolen due to lax cybersecurity practices."  MORE >>