Author Archives: hoffman
Face Masks and Other PPE Treated as Deductible Medical Expenses
The Internal Revenue Service has issued Announcement 2021-7, clarifying that amounts paid for certain personal protective equipment (PPE)—such as masks, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes—used for the primary purpose of preventing the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) are deductible medical expenses. … Continue reading
HR Compliance Bulletin
American Rescue Plan: Changes to FFCRA Employee Leave The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), enacted March 11, 2021, includes changes to emergency paid sick leave and paid family leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The ARPA extended … Continue reading
Key HSA Features – 2021 Compliance
Health savings accounts (HSAs) are a popular type of tax-advantaged medical savings account available to individuals enrolled in high deductible health plans (HDHPs). Individuals can use their HSAs to pay for expenses covered under the HDHP until their deductible has … Continue reading
DOL Issues Final Rule on FLSA Independent Contractor Status
On Jan. 6, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a final rule that clarifies how to determine whether a worker is an employee who is protected under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) or an independent … Continue reading
5 Telehealth Trends to Watch in 2021
Employers that are interested in cutting their health care expenses are likely familiar with telehealth. This is the process of communicating with a doctor via an app, or a webcam and computer. During the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth usage skyrocketed, making … Continue reading
IRS Maintains Health FSA Contribution Limit for 2021, Adjusts Other Benefit Limits
On October 26, 2020, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released Revenue Procedure 2020-45, which maintains the health flexible spending account (FSA) salary reduction contribution limit from 2020, which is $2,750, for plan years beginning in 2021. Thus, for health FSAs … Continue reading
IRS Extends Deadline for Furnishing Form 1095-C to Employees, Extends Good-Faith Transition Relief for the Final Time
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released Notice 2020-76, which extends the deadline for furnishing 2020 Forms 1095-B and 1095-C to individuals from January 31, 2021 to March 2, 2021. The Notice also provides penalty relief for good-faith reporting errors … Continue reading
Texas Gulf Coast bracing for Tropical Storm Beta
https://www.fox26houston.com/news/voluntary-evacuation-issued-for-galveston-county-bolivar-peninsula-ahead-of-ts-beta HOUSTON – A coastal flood watch has been issued along the Texas coast ahead of Tropical Storm Beta. A historically busy 2020 hurricane season, Tropical Storm Beta is the third tropical weather system to impact Texas so far this … Continue reading
Live Well, Work Well – Emergency Preparedness
Health and wellness tips for your work, home and life—brought to you by the insurance professionals at Hoffman Insurance Group, LLC Are You Prepared For An Emergency? Disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and earthquakes can strike with little or … Continue reading
President Trump Issues Executive Orders Intending to Lower the Cost of Prescription Drugs
On July 24, 2020, President Trump issued several Executive Orders intending to lower prescription drug costs by (1) modifying anti-kickback laws to lower drug prices, (2) reducing trade barriers to increase importation of drugs and lower prices, and (3) improving … Continue reading
