McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

JANUARY 11, 2023

We recently reported on an FAQ issued December 23, 2022 (FAQ About Affordable Care Act and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 Implementation Part 56) by the US Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and the Treasury (collectively, the Departments).

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Employee Benefits Health and Welfare Executive Compensation Retirement Plan 98

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

NOVEMBER 17, 2022

Although we are still awaiting final results of the November 8, 2022, midterm elections, the US House of Representatives appears likely to flip to Republican control, while the US Senate will remain in Democratic hands. Changes from one party to another in Congress, even in just one chamber, can mean big changes in policy progress […].

Employee Benefits 97

Employee Benefits Health and Welfare 97

Employee Benefits

MAY 23, 2023

Underfloor heating specialist firm Gaia Underfloor Heating has provided its workforce with training to promote mental health and staff wellbeing. Steven Rooney, director of Gaia Underfloor Heating, said: “Mind offers fantastic guidance and help for anyone with mental health problems.

Health and Welfare 59

Health and Welfare Employee Benefits Employment IT 59

Snell & Wilmer Benefits

JANUARY 24, 2023

If you sponsor a high deductible health plan (“HDHP”) and have been tracking telehealth relief, your head may be spinning and rightfully so! The relief allows, but does not require, HDHPs to provide telehealth and other remote care services on a pre-deductible basis without making participants health savings account (“HSA”) ineligible.

Deductions 52

Deductions Deductible Family and Medical Leave Act Health and Welfare 52

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

MAY 14, 2024

On March 18, 2024, the US Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued an update to its December 1, 2022, bulletin titled “Use of Online Tracking Technologies by HIPAA Covered Entities and Business Associates.”

Technology 105

Technology Employee Benefits Health and Welfare Health Insurance 105

cipHR

DECEMBER 21, 2021

Will you be making any new year’s resolutions for 2022? It will help with social interaction, allow me to check on their welfare, workload and general wellbeing.”. So my work resolution for 2022 is to write well-defined meeting titles and agendas that can serve as a preparation tool before the meeting and a guide during it.

Health and Welfare 52

Health and Welfare Consulting Work From Home Professional Services 52

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

MAY 26, 2022

Between March 9, 2022, and June 9, 2022, the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will “expand its presence” in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities that treat COVID-19 patients and that were previously cited or issued Hazard Alert Letters for alleged COVID-19 violations.

Healthcare 98

Healthcare Hospitality IT Employee Benefits 98

Snell & Wilmer Benefits

MARCH 29, 2022

On March 15, 2022, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (the “2022 CAA”) was signed into law. The 2022 CAA extends this relief to months beginning after March 31, 2022 and before January 1, 2023. Accordingly, the relief expired on December 31, 2021 for calendar year plans.

Health and Welfare 40

Health and Welfare Deductions Deductible Employee Benefits 40

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

AUGUST 9, 2022

Effective January 1, 2022, the No Surprises Act protects healthcare consumers from surprise medical billing under certain circumstances.

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Health Insurance Medical Healthcare Insurance 98

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

AUGUST 4, 2022

As of July 26, 2022, there are 3,591 confirmed cases of monkeypox in the United States, according to US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, and the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General has declared the multi-country monkeypox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

Employment 98

Employment Employee Benefits Health and Welfare 98

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

FEBRUARY 23, 2023

On January 25, 2023, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that more than 16.3 million people nationwide selected an ACA Marketplace health plan during the 2023 open enrollment period that ran from November 1, 2022, until January 15, 2023, for most marketplaces.

Employee Benefits 98

Employee Benefits Health and Welfare 98

Snell & Wilmer Benefits

MARCH 9, 2022

As reported in our January 7, 2022 SW Benefits Blog “ The DOL Asks and Answers Questions About the New Welfare Plan Fee Disclosure Rules ,” group health plans must now comply with the ERISA Section 408(b)(2) disclosure requirements. Of course most plans negotiated fees for 2022 in 2021, when NSA claims were not front and center.

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Health and Welfare Medical Retirement Plan Consulting 40

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

NOVEMBER 9, 2022

On October 11, 2022, the US Department of Treasury (Treasury) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued final regulations to modify how affordability under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is determined for an offer of coverage to a family member by an employer-sponsored group health plan, effective for the tax year beginning after December 31, […]. (..)

Taxes 98

Taxes Flexible Spending Account Employee Benefits Employment 98

Snell & Wilmer Benefits

JANUARY 24, 2023

If you sponsor a high deductible health plan (“HDHP”) and have been tracking telehealth relief, your head may be spinning and rightfully so! The relief allows, but does not require, HDHPs to provide telehealth and other remote care services on a pre-deductible basis without making participants health savings account (“HSA”) ineligible.

Deductions 40

Deductions Deductible Family and Medical Leave Act Health and Welfare 40

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

JANUARY 18, 2023

On December 1, 2022, the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC) Health Care Subgroup issued its report on fraud, waste and abuse risks that arose as a result of the dramatic increase in telehealth services provided during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Employee Benefits 98

Employee Benefits Health and Welfare IT 98

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

JUNE 13, 2023

The US Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS OIG) recently unveiled a new toolkit that seeks to help analyze telehealth claims for federal healthcare program integrity risks.

Healthcare 98

Healthcare Employee Benefits Health and Welfare IT 98

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

MAY 3, 2022

On April 19, 2022, the US Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Treasury (collectively, the Departments) released Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding the implementation of certain reporting provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Employee Benefits 98

Employee Benefits Health and Welfare 98

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

DECEMBER 28, 2022

On December 23, 2022, US Congress approved a year-end omnibus legislative package, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (CAA 2023), which consists of all 12 fiscal year 2023 appropriations bills and numerous other provisions, including health policy changes.

Healthcare 98

Healthcare Employee Benefits Health and Welfare Deductions 98

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

JANUARY 24, 2023

In a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking published December 2, 2022 (the Proposed Rule), the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed long-awaited changes to the regulations protecting the confidentiality of substance use disorder patient records under Part 2 of Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations (42 CFR Part 2, or […] (..)

Employee Benefits 97

Employee Benefits Health and Welfare Health Insurance Insurance 97

Proskauer's Employee Benefits & Executive Compensa

NOVEMBER 20, 2023

Health FSAs 2022 2023 Increase from 2022 to 2023 Annual Contribution Limit $3,050 $3,200 $150 Carryover Limit $610 $640 $30 Qualified Transportation Fringe Benefits 2022 2023 Increase from 2022 to 2023 Transportation in a Commuter Vehicle or Transit Pass $300/month $315/month $15/month Qualified Parking $300/month $315/month $15/month

Transportation 59

Transportation Flexible Spending Account Flexible Spending Retirement Plan 59

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

MARCH 31, 2022

On March 22, 2022, the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced a limited reopening of the rulemaking record for the COVID-19 emergency temporary standard for the healthcare industry, originally published on June 21, 2021 (the Healthcare ETS), and OSHA’s intention to hold an informal public hearing to gather certain additional (..)

Healthcare 96

Healthcare Employee Benefits Health and Welfare Employment 96

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

SEPTEMBER 14, 2022

On August 19, 2022, the US Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor and Treasury posted a final rule revising portions of the federal No Surprises Act (NSA). Generally, the rule finalizes three aspects of the two-part interim final rule that the Departments published along with the Office of Personnel Management in 2021.

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Employee Benefits Health and Welfare Management 96

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

JANUARY 27, 2022

On January 25, 2022, the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced that it would withdraw its controversial “vax-or-test” Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS), which required large employers to impose vaccination or testing requirements upon their employees.

Employee Benefits 96

Employee Benefits Employment Health and Welfare IT 96

Florida Workers' Comp

OCTOBER 10, 2023

Chatbot Wins (June 2016); Artificial Intelligence in our World (January 2017); Intelligence (November 2022); You're Only Human (May 2023). Metadata and Makeup (May 2022). There will be impacts on our health, safety, and welfare. I have been similarly concerned with the potential for manipulating what we see.

Health and Welfare 80

Health and Welfare Media Technology Software 80

Snell & Wilmer Benefits

MAY 19, 2022

On January 10, 2022, the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Treasury (collectively the “Departments”) issued Affordable Care Act FAQs Part 51 which addresses, in relevant part, payment for over-the-counter (“OTC”) COVID-19 testing.

Employment 40

Employment IT 40

Snell & Wilmer Benefits

JANUARY 21, 2022

On January 10, 2022 the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Treasury issued Affordable Care Act FAQs Part 51 which addresses, in relevant part, payment for over-the-counter (“OTC”) COVID-19 testing.

Employment 40

Employment IT Employee Benefits 40

Snell & Wilmer Benefits

SEPTEMBER 9, 2021

Year-end is always a scramble for health plan sponsors as they go through renewal and open enrollment. On August 20, 2021, the Departments of Labor (“DOL”), Health and Human Services (“HHS”), and the Treasury (collectively, the “Departments”) issued FAQ Part 49 delaying some of the deadlines.

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Health and Welfare Employee Benefits 40

HR Digest

DECEMBER 2, 2023

In 2022, the U.S. Image courtesy – Shutterstock ) Employees leave for many reasons, and while some include personal conditions like health and relocation of the family, there are many that pertain to the organization. This could include health benefits, time off, retirement assistance, etc. million U.S. million each month.

Employee Retention 96

Employee Retention Salary Health and Welfare 401(k) 96

Snell & Wilmer Benefits

JANUARY 7, 2022

In Field Assistance Bulletin 2021-03 (12/31/21) (FAB), the Department of Labor (DOL) issued guidance and temporary enforcement policy to address the new 408(b)(2) disclosure requirements that apply to certain service providers to group health plans. The new disclosure rules applies to both small and large group health plans (i.e.,

Retirement Plan 40

Retirement Plan Health Insurance Consulting 40

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

AUGUST 8, 2022

On July 27, 2022, the US House of Representatives approved the Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID-19 Act (H.R. The US House of Representatives approved a bipartisan bill that would extend Medicare telehealth flexibilities through the end of 2024; immediate US Senate action on the bill is unlikely, however.

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Employee Benefits Health and Welfare 98

HR Digest

NOVEMBER 20, 2023

Working on these various aspects can ensure that employees prioritize your company’s welfare as well, What Are the Best Practices for Employee Engagement? Employee engagement appears to be on a decline according to Gallup , dropping from 36 percent of engaged employees to 32 percent in 2022.

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Recruitment IT 401(k) Health and Welfare 110

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

APRIL 7, 2022

On February 28, 2022, the White House issued a fact sheet outlining several efforts aimed to increase safety, accountability, oversight and transparency in the senior services industry (Fact Sheet). The post Biden Administration Foreshadows Impending Nursing Home Quality Reforms appeared first on EMPLOYEE BENEFITS BLOG.

Employee Benefits 97

Employee Benefits Health and Welfare Employment 97

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

OCTOBER 3, 2022

On September 27, 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released 2023 premiums, deductibles and coinsurance amounts for Medicare Parts A and B, and the Medicare Part D income-related monthly adjustment amounts.

Deductions 98

Deductions Deductible Employee Benefits Health and Welfare 98

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

SEPTEMBER 29, 2022

On July 7, 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the CY 2023 Revisions to Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule and Other Revisions to Medicare Part B Proposed Rule, which was published in the Federal Register on July 29, 2022.

Employee Benefits 96

Employee Benefits Health and Welfare 96

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

SEPTEMBER 28, 2023

The No Surprises Act (NSA) went into effect in January 2022, and it has subsequently faced plenty of litigation from healthcare providers. States and federal agencies are also examining surprise billing and consumer protection laws related to some provisions of the NSA.

Healthcare 105

Healthcare Employee Benefits Health and Welfare IT 105

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

OCTOBER 11, 2022

On September 7, 2022, a US district court judge for the Northern District of Texas issued a ruling that preventive care provisions in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requiring private insurance plans to cover drugs that prevent HIV infection at no cost to patients violate religious rights.

Insurance 97

Insurance Employee Benefits Health and Welfare 97

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

AUGUST 3, 2022

On July 12, 2022, the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) revised its guidance on compliance with disability discrimination law during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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