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Compliance Alert: Considerations for Domestic Partner Coverage in Employee Benefits

… to income tax withholding. Employers should pay close attention to domestic partner rules that effect mid-year changes under IRC Section 125 and Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) coverage. Background While opposite-sex and same-sex marriages are permitted nationwide, today’s workforce presents a wide variety of relationship arrangements for which a domestic partner benefit offering provides more flexibility. In addition, while most employers are not required to offer benefits to domestic partners, doing so may provide some additional protection against claims of discrimination based on gender. For employers who do offer coverage to domestic partners, and maybe …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/domestic-partner-coverage-considerations/

Compliance Alert: Departments Release Updated Guidance for Contraception Coverage

… and provision of contraceptives (including in the immediate postpartum period).” Counseling and education include instruction in fertility awareness-based methods, including lactation amenorrhea for women desiring an alternative method. Use of Account-Based Plans for OTC Contraceptives A health savings account (HSA), health flexible spending account (HFSA), or health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) can reimburse an individual for the cost (or portion of the cost) incurred for OTC contraception to the extent that cost is not paid or reimbursed by another plan or coverage. Dispensing 12-Month Supply at One Time Plans and carriers are encouraged (although not required) to cover …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/compliance-alert-departments-release-updated-guidance-for-contraception-coverage/

Compliance Alert: SCOTUS Decision on End-Stage Renal Disease

… addition, MSP rules prohibit a group health plan from “taking into account” the individual’s Medicare eligibility or entitlement when determining eligibility and coverage under the group health plan. MSP rules apply to most group health plans, but not health flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and qualified small employer health reimbursement arrangements (QSEHRAs). For age-based and disability-based Medicare, there are exemptions for small employers and individuals whose eligibility is not tied to current employment status; however, for ESRD-based Medicare, such exemptions do not apply. For ESRD-based Medicare, the MSP rules impose two different requirements: The group health …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/compliance-alert-scotus-esrd-decision/

Contact EPIC

… about certificates or identify your account team Corporate Headquarters 1140 Avenue of the Americas 8th Floor New York, NY 10036 United States Employment Verification For employment verification contact Vault Verify at www.vaultverify.com and use our EPIC Company Code 70237 to obtain verification. You may also reach out to Vault Verify with questions to , or call (407) 378-6203 option 1. Press & Media Arrange quotes, verify facts, or set up interviews Vendor Inquiries Vendors selling new products and services may write us at: 1140 Avenue of the Americas 8th Floor New York, NY 10036 United States

https://www.epicbrokers.com/about/contact-us/

Special Compliance Alert: What Is the Impact of the Roe v. Wade Reversal?

… in environment, improvement of morale, or general improvement of health, even if the trip is made on the advice of a doctor are not includable. Travel Benefits to Obtain Abortion Services Travel to obtain abortion services may be provided as part of the health plan, through a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA), through a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), or through a Health Savings Account (HSA) for individuals enrolled in a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). Providing travel and lodging expenses for abortions outside of these types of arrangements could result in the creation of a group health plan because the …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/special-compliance-alert-roe-v-wade-reversal-impact/

Leverage Forward-Thinking Insurance Solutions to Boost Your Recruiting Efforts

… employee demographics while managing medical cost inflation and relieving your HR team to focus on employee recruiting and engagement. Our experienced Employee Benefits team can assist with: Managing escalating pharmacy costs to offer candidates more coverage options Identifying solutions that meet your candidates where they are (remote or hybrid working arrangements, new to the workforce, aging parents, or nearing retirement) Developing professional benefits communications to share with potential employees early in the recruiting process Navigating complex and ever-changing human resource compliance requirements. EPIC can help you stand out in a crowded space to attract and secure top talent with …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/boost-your-recruiting-efforts/

Compliance Alert: Machine-Readable TiC File Requirement Is Looming

… the Departments released another set of FAQs providing technical guidance on MRFs and providing two safe harbors for group health plans and issuers who use alternative payment arrangements. Machine-Readable Files As part of the TiC, non-grandfathered group health plans and insurance issuers must make available to the public three separate machine-readable files (MRFs) related to: Negotiated rates for all covered items and services between the plan or issuer and in-network providers. Historical payments to, and billed charges from, out-of-network (OON) providers. For privacy purposes, historical payments must have a minimum of twenty entries …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/compliance-alert-tic-file-requirement/

DOL Provides Q&As for CAA Broker Compensation Disclosure Requirements

The Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA), signed into law on December 27, 2020, included a requirement that starting December 27, 2021, brokers and consultants supplying services to Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) group health plans disclose to plan fiduciaries (typically the plan sponsor), in writing, direct and indirect compensation they receive for providing services to such plans. This disclosure requirement was effective for “contracts or arrangements entered into, extended, or renewed on or after December 27, 2021.” See our Compliance Insights article, “Employee Benefits Broker Compensation Disclosure Requirements Are Coming Soon,” for more information. On Thursday, December 30, 2021, the …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/dol-provides-qas-caa-broker-compensation-disclosure-requirements/