Regulatory Updates

COBRA Subsidy Provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act

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).

American Rescue Plan Contains Employment-related Provisions

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

Blue Cross Anti-Trust Lawsuit: Timing of Settlement Still Unknown

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.

Biden Proposed Stimulus Package

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.

COVID-19: OSHA Recordable Illness if Work-Related

Jan. 15, 2021 – Since the onset of COVID-19, some employees have contracted the illness in work-related environments. OSHA has provided guidelines for scenarios in which COVID-19 is a recordable illness.

DOL Issues Final Rule on Independent Contractor Status

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.

Special FSA Rules – Consolidated Appropriations Act

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

FFCRA Paid Leave Requirement Expired Dec. 31

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

EEOC Addresses Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccinations & the ADA

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).

PCORI Fee Amount Adjusted for 2021

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.

CDC Announces Shorter Guidelines After a COVID-19 Exposure

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.

Health FSA Limit Will Remain the Same for 2021

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

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