Aug 6, 2021 | Compliance, COVID-19, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), Regulatory
The Department of Health and Human Services recently extended the COVID-19 public health emergency until October 18, 2021. This means that the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) requirement that health plans pay for COVID-19 testing (including antibody...
May 28, 2021 | Announcements, Cancer, Colon Cancer, Compliance, Preventive Care, USPSTF
On May 18th, the United States Preventive Services Task Force added a new recommendation regarding colonoscopies. The current guidance recommends colorectal cancer screenings for adults aged 50 to 75 years (“A” designation), while the new recommendation extends...
Apr 1, 2021 | Compliance, Fully Insured, Ohio, Regulatory, Self-funding
Good news for fully-insured employers: Under a new Ohio law, insurers are required to provide monthly claims data once a year to groups with 50 or more covered employees (effective July 1, 2021). For fully-insured employers, this new rule provides a better opportunity...
Mar 30, 2021 | COBRA, Compliance, COVID-19, Regulatory
On April 29, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Labor and the Treasury (the Departments) issued the “Final Rule,” which extended deadlines to elect COBRA, pay COBRA premiums, elect HIPAA special enrollments, and file benefit claims, appeals,...
Mar 29, 2021 | COBRA, Compliance, Flexible spending accounts (FSAs), Regulatory
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (the ARPA) includes COBRA subsidy provisions aimed at making health plan coverage accessible and affordable. The ARPA creates a 6-month subsidy period (April 1, 2021 to September 30, 2021) during which certain “assistance eligible...
Feb 24, 2021 | Compliance, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Department of Labor, Mental Health, Regulatory, Treasury Department
While plan sponsors are already familiar with the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA), the passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) in late 2020 has led to additional plan obligations. The new rules...
