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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/

HHS Announces the Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills Notice and First Interim Rule

The No Surprises Act is the balance billing or surprise billing relief portion of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA). All of the No Surprises Act provisions take effect on January 1, 2022. Congress tasked certain federal agencies with engaging in extensive rulemaking proceedings during 2021. On July 1, 2021, The Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor (DOL), Treasury, and the Office of Personnel Management (collectively known as “the Departments”) issued Requirements Related to Surprise Billing; Part I. The HHS COVID-19 RESOURCES Coronavirus Resource Center Return-to-Office Protocols & Considerations Client Panel What Employers Need to Know …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/hhs-announces-the-protections-against-surprise-medical-bills-notice-and-first-interim-rule/

EPIC Commits to Staying Connected!

EPIC Launches 2nd Annual Virtual Benefits Event Virtual Employee Benefits University is July 19 – 23 On Monday, July 19, we launched our second Virtual Employee Benefits University (VEBU). Our focus on this week-long learning event reflects our commitment to our employees, EPIC’s most valuable asset, and our virtual VEBU platform provides an interactive, high-touch environment to gather and learn from each other and our vendor partners. Our VEBU theme this year is the Five Pillars of Success: Innovation, Organic Growth, Collaboration, People First and M&A. Each day, we are presenting a key learning topic based on …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/epic-announces-2nd-annual-virtual-benefits-event/

Market Pulse Survey: Fertility Benefits

Are You Offering Fertility Benefits? Fertility benefits range from infertility diagnosis and medication, to IVF and artificial insemination. More expansive plans cover egg freezing, the procurement of donor eggs or embryos, and gestational surrogacy. It’s that time of year again! Time to make tough calls on where to focus your benefits budget dollars for 2022. Fertility benefits are getting more attention at exactly the time when the Millennial generation is becoming more widespread in the workforce. Not coincidentally, many members of that cohort are now in their prime childbearing years. However, employer coverage of fertility treatments is a mixed …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/market-pulse-survey-fertility-benefits/