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American Rescue Plan Act COBRA Subsidy Overview & FAQs

… will end sooner if AEIs become eligible for other group health plan coverage or Medicare, or if AEIs exhaust their maximum coverage period under federal COBRA or state continuation. Applicable Coverage For employees and their family members enrolled when a reduction in hours or involuntary termination of employment caused a loss of coverage, the COBRA subsidy must be offered for all group health plans (e.g., medical, dental, vision, HRA (health reimbursement arrangement), EAP (employee assistance program), onsite clinic), but not health FSAs (flexible spending accounts). Employer Responsibility & Payroll Tax Credits For group health plans subject to federal COBRA …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/american-rescue-plan-act-cobra-subsidy-overview-faqs/

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) COBRA Subsidy Guide

… Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Therefore, we will discuss the guidance that was in place in 2009 in this guide as it’s possible that the agencies will adopt similar guidance for the ARPA COBRA subsidy. Under the 2009 guidance, an involuntary termination meant “a severance from employment due to the independent exercise of the unilateral authority of the employer to terminate the employment, other than due to the employee’s implicit or explicit request, where the employee was willing and able to continue performing services.” Involuntary termination was interpreted broadly under this guidance. The following are all examples of involuntary …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/american-rescue-plan-act-arpa-cobra-subsidy-guide/

Covering Coronavirus: Risk Considerations Volume 2, Issue 7

… different ways. A study from Prudential revealed that workers surveyed expect adaptations put in place for the pandemic to become permanent fixtures of office life. Conducted in March, the survey found that 87 percent of American workers who have been working remotely during the pandemic want to continue remote work arrangements at least one day a week. Nearly 70 percent of all workers polled prefer a hybrid workplace. Those figures are up significantly from a similar survey conducted last fall. Most desirable benefits of a remote work arrangement included flexible schedules and shorter commutes. Those benefits outweighed the negative aspects …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/covering-coronavirus-risk-considerations-volume-2-issue-7/

Covering Coronavirus: Risk Considerations Volume 2, Issue 6

… flexible work schedules. Some employers may choose to move to employee productivity output as a measure of performance instead of the number of hours worked. Worker misclassification and timekeeping errors have already increased during the pandemic; they are expected to continue as workers remain in a hybrid or fully remote arrangement. For more information about how this evolving topic affects your business, contact an EPIC team member. Vaccine Update America’s top infectious-disease official, Dr. Fauci, has said that vaccinating 70 to 85 percent of the U.S. population would enable a return to normal work and life behavior …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/covering-coronavirus-risk-considerations-volume-2-issue-6/

IRS Notice 2021-15 Provides Guidance on COVID-Related Cafeteria Plan Flexibility

… of the first calendar year beginning after the end of the plan year in which the amendment is effective. On February 18, 2021, the IRS released IRS Notice 2021-15 guidance that clarifies items in the recently passed Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (CAA) permitting flexibility for health flexible spending arrangements (FSAs), dependent care account plans (DCAPs) and cafeteria plan election change rules. None of these changes are required. Employers have the option to implement some or all of the changes, or employers could choose not to change their plans at all. For employers who are willing to allow some …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/irs-notice-2021-15-covid-related-cafeteria-plan-flexibility/

Why Employers Should Map Their COVID-19 Strategies Now

… supply catches up to demand) on-site vaccine administration may become available to any employer, at the current time, it is only available to medical providers, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities – and only in some states. But at some point, like flu shots, you will likely be able to arrange COVID-19 vaccines at your location. It is important to stay close to health departments in the states in which you operate to understand specifically how vaccine supply will be released to your employees. It is extremely likely that certain groups of your employees will be eligible for the …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/employers-should-map-their-covid-19-strategies-now/

The Rise of Telemedicine: Minimizing Malpractice and Patient Safety Risks for Hospitals and Health Systems

… Institutions should review medical staff by-laws and credentialing processes with medical staff leadership and consider revising by-laws and processes to incorporate the use of telemedicine care. Care should be taken to ensure that administration of medication and controlled substances maintains or improves upon in-person medication management. If evaluation of a patient through a telemedicine platform proves less effective than in-person care, mitigate the risk by arranging an in-person appointment. Conclusion The sudden and rapid adoption of telemedicine on a broad basis is a welcome event in the medical community, yet it is not without …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/the-rise-of-telemedicine-minimizing-malpractice-and-patient-safety-risks-for-hospitals-and-health-systems/

The Rise of Telemedicine: Minimizing Malpractice and Patient Safety Risks for Physicians and Physician Practices

… and controlled substances maintains or improves upon in-person medication management. If evaluation of a patient through a telemedicine platform proves less effective than in-person care, mitigate the risk of providing the incorrect medication or dosages by arranging an in-person appointment. Conclusion The sudden and rapid adoption of telemedicine on a broad basis is a welcome event in the medical community, yet it is not without risks for medical providers. Vendor relationships, use of advanced practice providers, adherence to state licensure and regulations, reimbursement requirements, compliance with HIPAA regulation, and knowledge of standard of care and malpractice …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/the-rise-of-telemedicine-minimizing-malpractice-and-patient-safety-risks-for-physicians-and-physician-practices/