Although it feels like ages ago, it was only last March when we began complying with the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and the Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act – and were required to extend sick leave and FMLA leave to certain employees affected by COVID-19. At that time, MedBen prepared and distributed amendments to our clients for use with their health plans. The extended leave requirements are mandated until December 31, 2020.Unless the federal government extends the FFCRA before the end of the year, employers should consider reminding their employees that those additional leave benefits will expire on December 31. As of January 1, 2021, employees will no longer have emergency sick leave pay benefits or expanded FMLA benefits, and employers will no longer have the tax advantages of providing them.
If you wish to continue these extended leave provisions in your plan, please let your MedBen Account Management Team know immediately so we can prepare an additional amendment to your plan. You should also seek stop-loss carrier approval of this additional leave since it will no longer be a federal mandate.
If you have any questions regarding extended leave, please contact Senior Vice President Caroline Fraker (800-851-0907 or cfraker@medben.com) or Director of Compliance and Medical Management Erin Kelly (740-522-7368 or ekelly@medben.com).