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Department of Labor Releases Updated Model CHIP Notice

Quick Facts The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) recently released an updated model notice that may be used by employers to provide information on eligibility for premium assistance under Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The updated model notice, current through January 31, 2020, is available here. Employers who maintain group health plans in states that provide premium assistance under Medicaid or CHIP are required, on an annual basis, to notify all employees of potential premium assistance opportunities for the state in which an employee resides. EBSA’s updated model …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/department-of-labor-releases-updated-model-chip-notice/

San Francisco Health Care Security Ordinance 2019 Annual Report Form Cancelled

Quick Facts The San Francisco Health Care Security Ordinance (HCSO) requires covered employers to pay a certain amount – an Expenditure – toward their covered employees’ health care costs. Covered employers must report HSCO-related data to the City of San Francisco by filing an Annual Reporting Form (ARF) by April 30 for the prior calendar year. The 2019 ARF requirement is cancelled due to a Citywide emergency proclamation related to the COVID-19 (aka novel coronavirus) pandemic. All other HCSO requirements (including required Expenditures) remain in full effect. The deadline for Q1 2020 Expenditures is April 30, 2020. BACKGROUND The San …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/san-francisco-health-care-security-ordinance-2019-annual-report-form-cancelled/

COVID-19 Special Enrollment Period Raises Compliance Questions

… the coverage available outside of the cafeteria plan – on an after-tax basis – to avoid conflict with the Section 125 election change rules. If and when the IRS issues guidance that election changes during COVID-19 SEPs is a permitted event, withholdings could be adjusted to reverse payroll taxes on employee contributions. SPECIAL COVID-19 ENROLLMENT PERIODS Due to the COVID-19 (aka novel coronavirus) health emergency, many health insurers and third party administrators (TPA) are extending to policyholders and employers the ability to offer to certain employees a special enrollment period (SEP) – that is, a new chance to enroll …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/covid-19-special-enrollment-period-raises-compliance-questions/

Self-Funded Medical for Middle-Market Customers

… has become much more accepted as the purchase decision now includes the top financial executive level, and vehicles such as lifestyle-based contribution models have become mainstream, allowing the full impact of these strategies to fall directly to the organization’s bottom line. Self-insuring is a method to fund employee benefits where the employer pays the insurer an administration fee to process claims and use their provider network to access discounts. However, self-insurance does not mean unlimited liability. To protect against catastrophic loss, the employer purchases stop-loss insurance to shelter the employer from large claims on any …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/self-funded-medical-for-middle-market-customers/

Covering Coronavirus: Risk Considerations Volume 1, Issue 6

… Chain and Business Risks The Unsung Heroes of the Coronavirus Crisis Keeping Truckers Rolling U.S. DOL Announces Temporary FFCRA Non-Enforcement Insurance Products and Coverage Information P&C Webinar Answers Questions on Property Policies and Claims Filing Will Pressure From Lawmakers Change Outcomes of Insurance Claims? Human Resources and Employee Benefits Highlights of the CARES Act Recent FFCRA Legislation – New Webinar Promote Balance and Avoid Burnout While Working from Home Coronavirus & Workplace Well-being: Dispelling Panic and Misinformation Employee Benefits Insights The information presented here is intended to provide a high level overview of critical areas of concern for …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/covering-coronavirus-risk-considerations-volume-1-issue-6/

Community Wellness is Now Understood – for the Worst Reason

For more of our coronavirus coverage, visit epicbrokers.com/coronavirus  Thoughts from Claire Letourneau Each fall, we encourage everyone to get a flu vaccination. Each fall, we hear, “I don’t need a flu shot, I never get sick.” And each fall, I cringe! I cringe because I’m frustrated that people don’t understand the importance of community wellness – doing something that you may not want to do, for the good of the community. Unfortunately, the world is learning about community wellness through the coronavirus pandemic and the fatal consequences of ignoring it. What most people don’t comprehend …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/community-wellness-is-now-understood-for-the-worst-reason/

DOL Releases Updated FFCRA FAQ

… to 59 questions, but we culled out the ones that we have seen most frequently in daily practice and added subtopic headings to help navigate to your most urgent needs: Small Employer (Under 500 Employees) Questions As an employer, how do I know if my business is under the 500-employee threshold and therefore must provide paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave? You have fewer than 500 employees if, at the time your employee’s leave is to be taken, you employ fewer than 500 full-time and part-time employees within the United States, which includes …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/dol-releases-updated-ffcra-faq/

CARES Act Addresses COVID-19 Economic Crisis

Congress has passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), and the President has signed it into law today. The largest emergency economic stimulus package ever passed, the CARES Act aims to help individuals and businesses deal with the severe financial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act includes sweeping provisions related to greatly expanding small business loan programs, providing direct and immediate cash payments to certain individuals, providing significant unemployment benefits, increasing production of necessary medical supplies and authorizing financial aid to certain particularly hard hit industries. Additionally, the CARES Act clarifies several elements …

https://www.epicbrokers.com/insights/cares-act-addresses-covid-19-economic-crisis/