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New Data on the Opioid Addiction Crisis

In August of last year, I wrote about the impact this new COVID-19 world would have on those struggling with drug addiction. With social distancing restrictions and shutdowns of many mental health and substance abuse programs, it was likely to expect that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would see an influx of drug-related deaths for the year 2020. In December 2020, the CDC released preliminary data and the findings are dismal. With data ending in May 2020, they reported over 81,000 overdose deaths in the U.S. – the highest number of overdose deaths ever …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/new-data-on-the-opioid-addiction-crisis/

Covering Coronavirus: Risk Considerations Volume 2, Issue 6

EPIC Risk Advisory Bulletin Volume 2, Issue 6 In this issue, we take a focused look at: Insurance Products and Coverage Information D&O Coverage: What’s Next? Virginia Passes Consumer Data Protection Act Business Interruption Presumptive Compensability News of Note Human Resources and Employee Benefits OSHA Launches New Coronavirus Initiatives Webinar: Are You Ready for an OSHA Visit? Return to the Office? Vaccine Update Insights from Across the Firm The information presented here is intended to provide a high level overview of critical areas of concern for businesses around coronavirus. Consult your EPIC insurance broker for more in-depth …

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

Joint Agency FAQs Clarify Health Plan Coverage of COVID-19 Tests and Vaccines

… for plan participants’ coronavirus testing and vaccines. In general, Provisions in the FFCRA, CARES Act and the implementing regulations require GHPs and insurers to cover COVID-19 diagnostic testing of plan participants at no cost. The FFCRA was enacted on March 18, 2020. It requires group health plans to provide benefits for certain items and services related to diagnostic testing for COVID-19 when those services are furnished during the COVID-19 public health emergency period beginning on March 18, 2020. The FFCRA requires plan issuers to offer this coverage without any cost-sharing (e.g., deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/joint-agency-faqs-clarify-health-plan-coverage-of-covid-19-tests-and-vaccines/

Webinar Recording Now Available: Breaking Down the Employee Retention Credit

… was expanded to include recipients of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. This webinar covered: Criteria for eligibility of the ERC How the ERC applies to schools How to calculate qualified wages How to claim the credit Strategies for maximizing the benefits of ERC and PPP PLAY RECORDING Our Guest Speakers Aprio is an award-winning, top-rated CPA and advisory services firm, with clients in all 50 US States and 50+ Countries. Justin Elanjian Partner-in-Charge, PPP & ERC Services | Aprio Craig Fisher ERC Team Leader | Aprio ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Webinar Key Takeaways Employee Retention Credit Information APRIO ERC Services Page

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/breaking-down-the-employee-retention-credit/

Webinar Recording Now Available: A Mental Health Playbook for Law Firms in 2021

… 2021 How law firms can improve access to quality care Building a culture of resiliency from the top down where attorneys and staff feel supported and understand that it’s “ok to not be ok” LAW FIRM FOCUS Our National Law Firm Practice features a team of professional liability and employee benefits consultants who are grounded in real-life, industry-based experience and understand the risks that law firms and their members face on a daily basis. We serve 40% of the Top 25 Firms on the AM Law 100, and we provide an exclusive disability income insurance solution and …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/a-mental-health-playbook-for-law-firms-in-2021/

Virtual Health Fairs – How to Plan for 2021

… last-minute changes you need to make. We realize there are many decisions to make during Open Enrollment, but if you know some things won’t be changing, get those set up early. Talk to your employees!– See what they want in a virtual health fair; more wellness events, more benefits presentations, one-on-one opportunities with benefits providers, better raffles. Ask what prevents them from participating; timing, childcare, eldercare, workload, lack of manager support, the topics being discussed. While many things are still up in the air and difficult to plan, we collectively learned a great deal from 2020 …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/virtual-health-fairs-how-to-plan-for-2021/

Why You Need a Specialist to Control Pharmacy Spend

As pharmacy costs continue to escalate, payors are introducing new strategies to combat spiraling costs while balancing appropriate access. But costs continue to be shrouded in mystery with jockeying between the various intermediaries for a share of the profits. The rebate game has garnered focus as pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) maximize rebate compensation (contributing to pharmacy cost inflation) while attempting to have tight reins on net costs. As drug costs go up, so do the rebates – increasing profits to the intermediaries in the transaction. The latest issue of Benefits Pro magazine highlights new versions of these maneuvers. Viewpoints from Craig …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/you-need-a-specialist-to-control-pharmacy-spend/

Latest Stimulus Bill Means Major Changes to COBRA Continuation and Benefits

On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). ARPA is the latest COVID-19 relief stimulus bill and it includes several benefits-related provisions, which are discussed in more detail below. ARPA became effective on March 11, 2021. Before a bill like ARPA becomes law, it must pass in Congress (both the Senate and House of Representatives), then be signed by the President. The Senate passed ARPA on Saturday, March 6, 2021. The U.S. House of Representatives spent four days debating the bill and passed a final version that Congress sent to …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/latest-stimulus-bill-means-major-changes-to-cobra-continuation-and-benefits/