CURRENT NEWS AND
REGULATORY UPDATES

March 26, 2021 – The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) provides a 100% subsidy of premiums for employer-sponsored group health insurance continued under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 (COBRA).

March 16, 2021 – President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) into law on March 11, 2021.

March 1, 2021 – In Sept. 2020, a settlement agreement was reached in the Blue Cross Blue Shield (Blue Cross) antitrust class-action lawsuit and recently the proposed settlement received preliminary approval.

Jan. 22, 2021 – In a recent speech, President Joe Biden outlined a proposed $1.9 trillion stimulus package to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and provide economic relief.

On Jan. 6, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a final rule that clarifies how to determine whether a worker is an employee who is protected under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) or an independent contractor who is exempt from it.

Jan. 5, 2021 – President Trump signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 into law on Dec. 27, 2020.

Jan. 4, 2021 – Mandated FFCRA leave expired Dec. 31, 2020.

Dec. 16, 2020 – The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued additional answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about how employers should comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Dec. 10, 2020 – The Affordable Care Act (ACA) imposes a fee on health insurance issuers and self-insured plan sponsors in order to fund comparative effectiveness research.

Dec. 4, 2020 – During a recent media briefing, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced an update to quarantine guidelines, offering options for shorter quarantine periods.

Nov. 4, 2020 – The IRS released Revenue Procedure 2020-45, which announced the 2021 FSA health dollar limit.