Feds Require Insurers and Group Health Plans to Cover Cost of At-Home COVID-19 Tests Starting January 15
In an effort to expand the availability of free COVID-19 testing, the Biden-Harris Administration has announced that beginning January 15, 2022, insurance companies and group health plans will be required to cover the cost of over-the-counter (“OTC”) COVID-19 tests. This requirement is being…
"No Surprises Act" Compliance Tips For Group Health Plans and Health Insurance Issuers
On July 13th, group health plans and health insurance issuers subject to the Federal No Surprises Act (the “Act”) received the first phase of interim final rules promulgated under the Act (the “Rules”) and issued by the Office of Personnel Management, Department of Labor (DOL), Department of…
Tips for Complying with DOL's Retirement Plan Cybersecurity Guidance
”Not if, but when" is a phrase commonly used to describe data breach risk. Holding just under $11 trillion in assets, employer-sponsored retirement plans are a particularly enticing target for cybercriminals. Through audits and best practice guidance, the Department of Labor (DOL) is encouraging…
IRS COBRA Subsidy Guidance: 11 Takeaways
On May 18, 2021, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) published Notice 2021-31 (“Notice”), containing much-anticipated guidance on the American Rescue Plan Act’s (“ARPA”) COBRA premium assistance program. The Notice seeks to clarify certain matters related to the COBRA premium tax credit and…
COBRA Subsidy Update: IRS provides penalty relief and instructions for applying Employment Tax credits
On Tuesday, the IRS published Notice 2021-24, which provides penalty relief for an employer’s failure to timely deposit Employment Taxes[1] related to the American Rescue Plan Act’s (ARPA) COBRA subsidy credits. The Notice includes instructions to employers on how to apply COBRA Credits in…