"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…
Mandating COVID-19 Vaccines in Hospitals
On June 4, 2021, a federal judge denied a request for a temporary restraining order that would have blocked Houston Methodist Hospital (the “Hospital”) from requiring its employees to receive one of the currently-available COVID-19 vaccines. One hundred sixteen employees of the Hospital (the…
Non-Compete Agreement Litigation: Lessons from Recent Eighth Circuit Case
Litigation over non-compete agreements can be complex, involving simultaneous lawsuits in different states, timely legal maneuvering, and substantial organizational challenges. The stakes are often high. Litigating in this area involves developing a strategy, and constantly revising that strategy…
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…