CURRENT NEWS AND
REGULATORY UPDATES

Jan. 20, 2022 – The Depts. of Labor, HHS, and the Treasury issued FAQ guidance regarding the requirements for group health plans and health insurance issuers to cover over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 diagnostic tests.

On Jan. 13, 2022, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) ruled to stay the OSHA vaccination and testing emergency temporary standard (ETS).

On Dec. 14, 2021, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued 14 new answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about what employers may or may not do to comply with federal fair employment laws during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dec. 13, 2021 – Technology companies have been busy addressing what security experts are calling one of the most serious software flaws in recent memory.

Dec. 2, 2021 – Affordable Care Act (ACA) reporting under Section 6055 and Section 6056 for the 2021 calendar year is due in early 2022.

Nov. 17, 2021 – The Affordable Care Act (ACA) imposes a dollar limit on employees’ salary reduction contributions to health flexible spending accounts (FSAs) offered under cafeteria plans.

On Nov. 4, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) announced its Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) to address mandatory COVID-19 vaccination and testing for the workplace.

August 25, 2021 – The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) provides COBRA premium assistance to eligible individuals and imposes notice requirements on health plans.

August 18, 2021 – UnitedHealthcare and PreferredOne have completed an agreement to integrate their businesses, bringing together a strong, local, well-established health plan with UnitedHealthcare’s benefit, wellness and administrative strengths.

July 13, 2021 – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that employers now have until Aug. 23, 2021, to submit equal employment opportunity (EEO-1) workforce data from 2019 and 2020.

June 11, 2021 – For those that have a medical plan with an HRA and/or are self-funded, this is a reminder your 2020 PCORI fee is due July 31, 2021.

May 27, 2021 – As cyber attacks become more and more common, protecting your data is increasingly difficult.