Regulatory Updates

On May 18, 2021, the IRS issued Notice 2021-31, a guidance document on the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) subsidy for continuation health coverage under COBRA.

On May 10, 2021, the IRS released revenue procedure 2021-25 to provide the inflation-adjusted limits for health savings accounts (HSAs) and high deductible health plans (HDHPs) for 2022.

May 7, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced it will officially withdraw the Independent Contractor final rule. The withdrawal was effective immediately upon its publication in the Federal Register on May 6, 2021.

April 26, 2021 – The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has set May 4 – 6, 2021 as the dates for this year’s International Roadcheck for commercial motor vehicle inspections.

April 12, 2021 – The U.S. EEOC announced the portal for private-sector employers to submit equal employment opportunity (EEO-1) workforce data from 2019 and 202 will open on April 26, 2021.

On April 7, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued FAQs and model notices for the COBRA premium assistance provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

April 7, 2021 – As of right now, members affected by the Blue Cross Blue Shield anti-trust lawsuit (also known as members of the Damages Class) will begin receiving notification by email and mail about the related settlement.

April 5, 2021 – Congress has passed the PPP Extension Act of 2021, a 60-day extension of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Payment Protection Program (PPP), which was set to expire on March 31.

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.