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Maryland Public Health Emergency Paid Sick Leave

Maryland is the latest state to implement a paid sick leave law, H.B. 581, the Maryland Essential Workers’ Protection Act (the Act). Maryland’s law provides paid leave to employees working in Maryland who are unable to work due to a public health emergency related to a communicable disease. The new law became effective on June 1, 2021, but the paid leave provisions are on hold until the state government provides funding. On May 28, 2021, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced his intention to allow the Act, to become law without his signature. The Act requires essential employers to …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/maryland-public-health-emergency-paid-sick-leave/

Departments Provide Long-Awaited Guidance on the No Surprises Act

… ensuring compliance with these new rules; however, self-funded plan sponsors are legally responsible for ensuring compliance. The guidance does not address all the provisions of the No Surprises Act including but not limited to guidance on the independent dispute resolution process, the good faith estimates and advanced explanation of benefits, provider directories or continuity of care. Background On July 1, 2021, The Office of Personnel Management (OPM), along with the departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor (DOL), and Treasury released “Part 1” of regulations implementing the No Surprises Act. The interim final rule with comment period (IFC …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/departments-provide-long-awaited-guidance-on-the-no-surprises-act/

IRS Releases Additional COBRA Subsidy FAQs

Quick Facts On July 26, 2021, the IRS released additional FAQs on the ARPA COBRA subsidies. The Notice includes clarifying guidance on dental and vision only coverage, state continuation coverage and entities that may claim the premium tax credit. COBRA subsidies are available for certain COBRA qualified beneficiaries from April 1, 2021, through September 30, 2021. Overview The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued new COBRA subsidy guidance in Notice 2021-46 (the Notice) through a set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) which supplements guidance released earlier in Notice 2021-31 regarding COBRA premium assistance under the American Rescue Plan …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/irs-releases-additional-cobra-subsidy-faqs/

IRS Releases Updated Form 941 for ARPA Premium Tax Credits

Quick Facts Employers who offer group health plan coverage subject to federal COBRA and have AEIs who elect to take advantage of the COBRA subsidy may be able to claim a credit against the Medicare portion of their payroll The credit will generally be claimed using IRS Form 941. Employers will need to report the dollar amount of the COBRA subsidies as well as a count of the number of individuals who were provided the COBRA subsidy. Background Form 941, the employer’s quarterly federal tax return, has been updated to allow employers to claim a credit for any Consolidated …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/irs-releases-updated-form-941-for-arpa-premium-tax-credits/

Joint Agencies Issue FAQs Regarding Plan Coverage for HIV PrEP Treatment

On June 11, 2019, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) provided a Final Recommendation regarding persons at high risk of acquiring Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). The USPSTF recommended that clinicians offer HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with effective antiretroviral therapy to persons at high risk of HIV acquisition. On July 19, 2021, the Departments of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Treasury (collectively, the Departments) issued a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). These FAQs answer questions from plan issuers, sponsors and other stakeholders about how plans …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/joint-agencies-issue-faqs-regarding-plan-coverage-for-hiv-prep-treatment/

Supporting Self-Care for Employee Caregivers with Aging Parents

… leave a similar legacy for my kids and grandkids and the thought broke my heart. While it is not easy for me to put myself first, I joined a fitness center and carved out time twice a week to work with a trainer, committed to walking a few times a week and met with a dietician. I now attend a chair yoga class once a week, because sometimes all you need is someone to remind you how to breathe. Supporting such a large population of your caregiving workforce in keeping healthy is a must for benefits programs. Consider adding some

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/supporting-self-care-for-employee-caregivers-with-aging-parents/

President Biden Signs an Executive Order on Competitive Drug Pricing

On July 9, 2021, President Biden signed an expansive Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy (Order). The Order addresses several issues and areas of the economy in which the Biden Administration (Administration) plans to spur competition to promote small business, worker, and consumer interests. Among the many issues that Order addresses is the cost that healthcare consumers pay for prescription drugs and healthcare services. The Order sets out several administrative policies meant to decrease prescription drug prices. According to the Biden Administration, President Biden’s Order identifies several factors that have weakened competition in the marketplace. The …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/president-biden-signs-an-executive-order-on-competitive-drug-pricing/

Transparency and the Value of a Great Insurance Broker

… of consultants on all sides. There is no doubt that pharmacy cost transparency rules are needed and they are coming. Federal laws restrict “profits” to 15-20% of insurance premiums, but here is a relatively new game that’s being played: All of the four national health insurers own pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) and other providers of healthcare. Owning providers allows the health insurers to expand profits in areas other than “premiums.” The federal law restricts profits on premiums but does not restrict profits on services rendered by providers owned by these insurance carriers. Axios announced days ago that the …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/transparency-and-the-value-of-a-great-insurance-broker/