Are you an employer that offers or provides group health coverage to your workers? Does your health plan cover outpatient prescription drugs — either as a medical claim or through a card system? If so, be sure to distribute your plan’s Medicare Part D notice before October 15. Purpose Medicare began
By Timothy Johnson
First, notify other employees of potential exposure, if any, in the workplace. You should tell them that someone was diagnosed with the illness, but you should not identify which employee is sick, even if employees ask so they can gauge their own risk. Medical information, such as a diagnosis, must
By Timothy Johnson
Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act On June 5, 2020, President Trump signed legislation (H.R. 7010) enacting the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act (PPPFA) which amends the CARES Act’s Payroll Protection Program (PPP). Some of the key amendments are as follows: The covered period during which borrowers must spend the PPP
By Timothy Johnson
On May 12, 2020, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released two notices providing relief for 2020 cafeteria plans and related benefit issues in light of the COVID-19 national emergency. Notice 2020-29 focuses on permissible mid-year election changes under § 125 of the Internal Revenue Code and Notice 2020-33 focuses on allowable carryover provisions for
By Timothy Johnson
Yes. Generally, inquiries about an employee’s health or a medical exam (like a temperature check) would not be allowed, but the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has stated that screening employees for symptoms of COVID-19 is allowed since it is a direct threat to others in the workplace. Because of
By Timothy Johnson
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) was signed into law on March 18, 2020 and went into effect on April 1. The Department of Labor has provided additional guidance on the new law, which we strongly encourage employers to read. Summary For certain circumstances related to COVID-19, employees will be
By Timothy Johnson
National Long Term Care Awareness Month is an annual designation observed in November. Did you know that 70% of men and women over the age of 65 will need some kind of long-term care services? This kind of care can be very expensive, and can take a toll on the
By Timothy Johnson
On June 28, 2019, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law a state budget for 2019-2020 that establishes a state individual mandate, effective Jan. 1, 2020. This state-based individual mandate will require California residents to maintain acceptable health coverage or pay a penalty, beginning in 2020. This new mandate was
By Timothy Johnson
On August 30, 2019, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed clean-up legislation (S.B. 778) clarifying the state’s sexual harassment prevention training and education law, particularly when mandatory training must be completed. The legislation was introduced February 26, 2019, and took immediate effect. Why a Clean-Up Bill? CA A.B. 1825, enacted in September
By Timothy Johnson
On July 22, 2019, the IRS announced that the affordability percentage under the Affordable Care Act’s play or pay rules will decrease to 9.78 percent for 2020 plan years. This is a decrease from 9.86 percent for 2019 plan years. By way of background, the ACA’s employer shared responsibility provision – often called the
By Timothy Johnson
