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Multi-State Employers Face Complexity Surrounding COVID-19

… for more than two hours. In San Francisco, the law extends to employers who have temporarily closed or halted operations. While people can debate the appropriateness of such laws – typically based on political viewpoint – I want to explore the objective complexity for employers. One of the key reasons that the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) was passed in 1974 was to create a single set of employee benefit rules for multi-state employers. The law protects employees from the loss of benefits which were promised and protects employers from having to manage a multitude of often competing regulations within …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/multi-state-employers-face-complexity-surrounding-covid-19/

Your Insurance Advisor, Your Invaluable Partner

… finding creative avenues to deliver affordable care has been a priority at EPIC. We quickly embraced and advocated telemedicine and mail-order drugs. We offered benefit solutions to those losing employer-sponsored care, including suggesting urgent and routine care partnership products and voluntary plans to make up for lost employer benefits. Our compliance team delivered guidance on federal and state legislation as an urgent priority, ensuring that our clients had access to the rapid onslaught of laws and regulations which became the lifeblood of those needing medical care, income replacement and simply some order around how their lives would be …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/your-insurance-advisor-your-invaluable-partner/

Covering Coronavirus: Risk Considerations Volume 1, Issue 12

… During the Pandemic Insurance Products and Coverage Information Broadway, Hollywood Eye Plans for a Return to Normalcy Legislation and Litigation Roundup Human Resources and Employee Benefits When Work Resumes, Offices and Duties May Look Different EEOC Expands Guidance for Workplaces New Challenges in Cleaning and Sanitizing Guidance from the CDC Employee Benefits Insights Open Enrollment How has the pandemic changed your approach to this year’s open enrollment, and what do you think will be your biggest challenges? Take Survey  Employee Engagement Has your new work environment impacted your productivity and connection with your colleagues, and do you see your …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/covering-coronavirus-risk-considerations-volume-1-issue-12/

IRS Relaxes Section 125 Election Change Rules, Expands Grace Periods and Carryovers

… well as HFSAs and DCAPs. The Notice also addresses issues regarding grace periods for claims reimbursement and provides details on previous guidance affecting high-deductible health plans (HDHP). Background Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 125 allows employers to adopt a written plan to let employees elect to pay for certain benefits, including group health plan coverage, on a pre-tax basis through salary reductions. Section 125 also permits employees to contribute pre-tax reductions to an HFSA or DCAP and certain other benefits. Employees generally cannot change cafeteria plan elections during the year unless they experience a change in status …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/irs-relaxes-section-125-election-change-rules/

Coronavirus & Workplace Wellbeing: Supporting Emotional Health

Before the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis hit, many Americans were in need of emotional support and experiencing loneliness. Now that we’re dealing with a global pandemic, those individuals are enduring more intensified stress. And new individuals have joined the ranks – many people are undergoing unprecedented emotional stress due to social isolation, remote working challenges, and financial uncertainty. For more of our coronavirus coverage, visit epicbrokers.com/coronavirus  Viewpoints from Amanda LaPointe Right now is the time to be there for your workforce, to help them manage their emotional wellness and successfully get through each day, one day at a …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/coronavirus-workplace-well-being-supporting-emotional-health/

Covering Coronavirus: Risk Considerations Volume 1, Issue 11

EPIC Risk Advisory Bulletin Volume 1, Issue 11 The global COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic remains both dynamic and fluid. We continue to see unprecedented disruptions at home and abroad. In this issue, we take a focused look at: General Information on Coronavirus Supply Chain and Business Risks Regional Supply Chain for Medical Equipment Insurance Products and Coverage Information Rising Drone Deliveries Across America Coronavirus Considerations for the Construction Industry Trucking Industry Updates Immunity Debate for Healthcare Organizations Legislation and Litigation Roundup Human Resources and Employee Benefits OSHA-Approved Return to Work Plans New NYCIRB Classification Codes for Telecommuters Employee Benefits …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/covering-coronavirus-risk-considerations-volume-1-issue-11/

Government-Provided Healthcare Sounds Good – but Sometimes the Devil You Know Is Better

Viewpoints from Craig Hasday Politico reported today that states are facing difficult cuts to benefits and services as a result of the coronavirus. The biggest budget line item for states is, of course, Medicaid. With the dramatic drop in income and sales tax revenue and the surge in newly eligible citizens, states are facing tough decisions. In the last downturn, “non-essential services” like dental care and podiatric services were cut, and payments to doctors and hospitals were slashed in a desperate effort to contain costs. This crisis is sure to be worse… much worse. Remember that under the Affordable …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/government-provided-healthcare-sounds-good-but-sometimes-the-devil-you-know-is-better/

If COBRA Wasn’t Confusing Enough, the White House Is Going to Mix It up for You

Viewpoints from Craig Hasday The federal government has been at it again with their point-and-shoot (whatever happened to aim?) rule writing. This time the Department of Labor (DOL) and the Department of Treasury, which directs the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), jointly issued a final rule extending notice and election times for Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) special elections, among other extensions. This whopper is retroactive to March 1, 2020 (really?) and applies to all plans subject to Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), which would include self-insured plans …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/if-cobra-wasnt-confusing-enough-the-white-house-is-going-to-mix-it-up-for-you/