CURRENT NEWS AND
REGULATORY UPDATES

On June 8, 2020, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued Notice 2020-44, which increases the PCORI fee amount for plan years ending on or after Oct. 1, 2019, and before Oct. 1, 2020, to $2.54 multiplied by the average number of lives covered under the plan.

June 9, 2020 – This is a reminder your 2019 PCORI fee is due July 31, 2020.

May 27, 2020 – The U.S. Department of Treasury (Treasury) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) recently released the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Forgiveness Application (Application) and instructions (Instructions) for small businesses to use when applying for PPP loan forgiveness with their lender.

On May 20, 2020, the IRS released Revenue Procedure 2020-32 to provide the inflation-adjusted limits for health savings accounts (HSAs) and high deductible health plans (HDHPs) for 2021.

May 19, 2020 – Several benefits carriers across a number of states have announced premium credits for health or dental coverage due to COVID-19 and lower than normal claim volumes.

On May 7, 2020, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) filed its final Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2021.

On May 12, 2020, the IRS announced they are providing temporary flexibility for mid-year election changes during calendar year 2020 and more options for unused funds in flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and dependent care assistance programs (DCAPs).

May 7, 2020 – As states begin to reopen during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many employers are preparing for their employees to return to work.

On April 28, 2020, the Department of Labor (DOL) and the Treasury (Departments) issued deadline relief to help employee benefit plans, plan participants and plan service providers impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.

April 22, 2020 – In the wake of most state governors issuing executive orders that require business closures to reduce the spread of COVID-19, many commercial real estate spaces have become unoccupied and may eventually be vacant.

April 15, 2020 – As employers apply for the federal government Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll during the COVID-19 crisis, they are also taking action to recall their laid off and furloughed employees.

April 14, 2020 – Employers should set up separate pay codes in their payroll system for COVID-19-related payments.