June 4, 2021
2022 HSA and HDHP Limits Friday, June 4, 2021 The IRS recently released Revenue Procedure 2021-25, announcing the new inflation-adjusted limits for health savings accounts (HSAs) and qualified high deductible health plans (HDHPs) for 2022. The limits are as follows: Calendar Year Contribution Limit (Employer and employee contributions combined) Single Coverage $3,650 …
May 21, 2021
Governor Greg Abbott Says No Public Schools or Government Entities will be Allowed to Require Masks Tuesday, May 18, 2021 “Gov. Greg Abbott announced Tuesday that public schools can no longer require masks on their campuses starting June 5. The decision was part of a new executive order that bans government entities in Texas — like …
May 21, 2021
CDC Says Masks Are No Longer Required in Most Settings for Fully Vaccinated Individuals The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released new guidance for people who have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19. This long-awaited guidance loosens the CDC’s recommendations for fully vaccinated individuals, allowing them to stop wearing a mask in most …
May 21, 2021
IRS Releases Guidance on COBRA Premium Assistance Under ARPA Friday, May 21, 2021 On May 18, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released Notice 2021-31 (the Notice), providing much-anticipated guidance regarding the COBRA premium assistance and tax credit provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). Under ARPA, group health plans subject …
May 14, 2021
IRS Releases Guidance on Dependent Care Benefits – Carryovers Friday, May 14, 2021 On May 10th, the IRS released Notice 2021-26. This notice addresses the taxation of dependent care benefits, provided through a dependent care assistance program, available in taxable years ending in 2021 and 2022 due to the application of either the …
May 3, 2021
PCORI Fee Deadline Just Around the Corner Tuesday, May 4, 2021 The Affordable Care Act requires health insurers and sponsors of self-funded group health plans (including health reimbursement arrangements) to pay a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fee. Originally, the law provided that the PCORI fee would not be assessed for plan years …
April 28, 2021
President Biden Announces Tax Credit for Small Businesses Offering Paid Leave for Vaccination Wednesday, April 28, 2021 Recently, President Joe Biden issued a call for employers to take additional steps to help get their employees and communities vaccinated against COVID-19. As part of that effort, president Biden announced a paid leave tax …
April 27, 2021
Blue Cross Blue Shield Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Information Tuesday, April 27, 2021 SETTLEMENT INFORMATION You and your employees may be receiving information on a proposed settlement of a class-action lawsuit filed against the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBS) health plans. You can access detailed information on the Blue Cross Blue Shield …
April 7, 2021
DOL Issued Model Notices to Aid Employers in Their Compliance Obligations Under ARPA’s COBRA Subsidy Provision April 7, 2021 One of the provisions in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) includes a 100% fully subsidized COBRA premium for certain individuals beginning on April 1, 2021 and ending on September 30, 2021(subsidy …
April 6, 2021
California Updates COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Leave Statute April 2, 2021 Beginning on March 29, 2021, Senate Bill 95 (SB 95) required employers to begin providing additional supplemental paid sick leave to employees because of COVID-19. SB 95 is much more robust than its predecessor, AB 1867. It expands the number of employees eligible for …
