On March 9, 2023, the IRS released updated penalty amounts for 2024 related to the employer shared responsibility (pay or play) rules under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). For calendar year 2024, the adjusted $2,000 penalty amount is $2,970 … Continue reading
Category Archives: Government
ARE YOU PREPARED?
The Cost of Flooding It’s flood season, and if your area is affected by a flood, you could be left with some financial liability. How much exactly? This article explains: https://bit.ly/3EGvrcG Do You Know Your Flood Risk? Everyone is at … Continue reading
ACA Pay or Play Penalties Will Increase for 2024
Study Reveals Americans’ Top Health Priorities
Study Reveals Americans’ Top Health Priorities New survey research reveals that Americans believe the government’s top public health priority should be lowering costs for health care and prescription drugs. The market firm Ipsos and news website Axios teamed up for … Continue reading
Inflation Reduction Act Contains Some Health Reforms
On Aug. 12, 2022, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Inflation Reduction Act. President Joe Biden is expected to sign it into law shortly. While this bill is primarily aimed at fighting inflation and reducing carbon emissions, it also … Continue reading
2023 Open Enrollment Checklist
To prepare for open enrollment, group health plan sponsors should be aware of the legal changes affecting the design and administration of their plans for plan years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2023. Employers should review their plan documents … Continue reading
Proposed Overtime Rule Expected in October 2022
In its recent spring regulatory agenda, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced its plans to issue a proposed overtime rule in October 2022. According to the agency’s regulatory agenda, this proposed rule is expected to address how to implement … Continue reading
CDC Loosens Mask-wearing Guidance for Most of U.S. Population
Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced updates to its mask-wearing recommendations, loosening guidance for a majority of the U.S. population. The CDC provides COVID-19 Community Levels as a tool to help communities decide what prevention steps … Continue reading
OSHA Withdraws COVID-19 ETS, but Not the Proposed Permanent Rule
On Jan. 25, 2022, OSHA provided notice that it is withdrawing its COVID-19 vaccination and weekly testing emergency temporary standard (ETS). The withdrawal will be effective once the notice is published in the Federal Register. The expected publication date is … Continue reading
Supreme Court Stays OSHA ETS Vaccination and Testing Mandate
On Jan. 13, 2022, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) ruled to stay the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) vaccination and testing emergency temporary standard (ETS). The ETS was developed to establish a mandatory vaccination policy requirement … Continue reading
Agencies Issue Guidance on Coverage of OTC COVID-19 Tests
On Jan. 10, 2022, the Depts. of Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Treasury issued FAQ guidance regarding the requirements for group health plans and health insurance issuers to cover over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 diagnostic tests. Legal Requirements Plans … Continue reading