Seyfarth Synopsis: On March 27, 2020, the House of Representatives followed the Senate’s lead in voting overwhelmingly to pass the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The President signed the legislation into law shortly thereafter. This blog post highlights the health and welfare benefit provisions contained in the law. Click here to review
Feeling Left Out, Senate Proposes ANOTHER Bill–CARES Act–Mandating COVID-19 Testing
Seyfarth Synopsis: On March 19, Senator McConnell introduced the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. While the Act largely focuses on economic relief for businesses and individuals, it did contain certain provision impacting benefit plans (for more on the potential impact for retirement plans, click here). Notably, the CARES Act replicates and
Apparently All it Takes to Get Congress to Agree on Something is a Global Pandemic
Seyfarth Synopsis: On Wednesday afternoon, the Senate voted 90-8 to approve HR 6201 without changes. The law generally takes effect no later than 15 days after HR 6201 is signed (expected soon) and would sunset on December 31, 2020.
In somewhat of a surprise move, the Senate voted overwhelmingly to adopt HR 6201 (described here
House Passes Technical Corrections to COVID-19 Relief Bill – One Small Word Creates Many Big Questions
Seyfarth Synopsis: Late Monday night, the House passed a technical corrections package to HR 6201. While most of the changes related to the Bill’s paid sick leave, unemployment insurance and tax credits provisions (click here for a summary of those changes), there was one small change to the health insurance section: The package clarified that
In a Rare Move – House and White House Agree on Initial Coronavirus Relief
Seyfarth Synopsis: Late Friday evening, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bill (HR 6201) targeted to provide relief for individuals impacted by the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. The bill addresses paid sick leave and the expansion of FMLA. This post, however, is aimed at the provisions applicable to employers’ medical
More Viral Benefits News
Seyfarth Synopsis: One of many COVID-19 benefits-related concerns focused on the ability of individuals covered under High Deductible Health Plans to have services to diagnose or treat the coronavirus covered before their deductible is met. The IRS has listened to the concerns and just issued guidance in response.
As aficionados of the benefits space know,
Does My Health FSA Cover My Surgical Mask Bulk-Purchase? (and other pressing questions about the intersection of coronavirus, HIPAA and ERISA)
Seyfarth Synopsis: Because everything has a coronavirus angle now….this blog post covers various issues and considerations plan sponsors and administrators should keep in mind as the coronavirus outbreak continues to escalate.
While this list is by no means exclusive (and may be added to over time), here are a few steps plan sponsors can take
Don’t Get Caught in the “Low-Hanging Fruit” HIPAA Harvest
Seyfarth Synopsis: The Director of HIPAA enforcement agency cautions that many covered entities are not meeting the basic HIPAA requirements and sees “low-hanging fruit” for enforcement activity.
The Director of the Office for Civil Rights at HHS, Roger Severino, recently gave an interview to Law360 about his office’s enforcement of the Health Insurance Portability
Sad Day for Coupon-Clippers
Seyfarth Synopsis: Recently, the Trump Administration issued its proposed Notice of Benefit & Payment Parameter for 2021 regulations. While these regulations primarily impact insurance carriers participating in the Health Insurance Marketplaces/Exchanges (outlining services that must be covered and rules surrounding that coverage), employer plan sponsors had been anticipating these rules to see how the Administration
Deadline is Approaching for Group Health Plan Service Agreement Updates
Seyfarth Synopsis: Recent changes to the federal rules governing confidentiality of substance use disorder (SUD) patient records may require updates to agreements between group health plans and their third-party vendors. Group health plans may be caught up in the changes if they wind up in possession of certain SUD patient records and disclose those records