CMS Guidance: Accumulator Programs

June 23, 2020
WHAT IS AN ACCUMULATOR PROGRAM? Many prescription drug manufacturers offer financial assistance (e.g. coupons) to patients in order to reduce their out of pocket costs, particularly for very expensive drugs. Standard practice is for an "accumulator program" to exclude the value of such... Find out more »

COVID-19 Update: How Insurance Companies are Helping Consumers

June 18, 2020
In addition to payment relief to some customers, insurance companies are maintaining staff and supporting national pandemic relief efforts. Immediate Customer Solutions Many insurers are offering payment relief. For example, auto insurers have returned $10.5 billion so far to... Find out more »

As HHS Finalizes Its Updated §1557 Rules, the United States Supreme Court Rules Title VII Protects Individuals From Discrimination Due To Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity

June 17, 2020
On June 12, 2020, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) released its Final Rule under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act which, among other things, modifies the regulation issued by HHS in May 2016 (“2016 Rules”).  The 2016 Rules were subject to... Find out more »

Legal Alert: IRS Releases Updated Form 720 Used For PCORI Fee Payments

June 16, 2020
As we recently reported, on June 8, 2020, the IRS released the applicable PCORI fee for plan years ending between October 1, 2019 and September 30, 2020.  As we indicated in that alert, an updated Form 720 had not yet been released and, therefore, employers were advised to wait to file their... Find out more »

Alera Group Releases Results of COVID-19 Employer Pulse Survey: Phase 2

One-Third of All Employers Furloughed Employees Yet Nearly 85% Plan to Bring Back Workers Alera Group, a national employee benefits, property and casualty, retirement services and wealth management firm, today released the results of the Alera Group COVID-19 Employer Pulse Survey: Phase 2.... Find out more »

Weekly Wrap-up: Wellbeing Resources

June 15, 2020
I was catching up on some of Dr. Rosie Ward’s recent blogs yesterday and one point she made that resonated with me is that emotional literacy is becoming critical. She notes that whether people are processing the grief and trauma of this pandemic now or later, at some point it will... Find out more »

REMINDER: PCORI Fees Due By July 31, 2020

June 8, 2020
Employers that sponsor self-insured group health plans, including health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) should keep in mind the upcoming July 31, 2020 deadline for paying fees that fund the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI).  As background, the PCORI was established as... Find out more »

Weekly Wrap-up: Wellbeing Resources

In a webinar I recently listened to, the presenter talked about how one of the most important things an employer can do right now is to build trust. Trust is imperative, they stated, because as employees return to the workplace, they will need to trust that their employer has done... Find out more »

Despite Its Low Cost, Most Consumers Don’t Buy Cyber Risk Insurance

June 5, 2020
A new report by the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) says most Americans underestimate the threat of cybercrime and are not buying insurance against it, despite its low cost. Americans have embraced the Internet of Things, with three out of five surveyed reporting connected technology... Find out more »

Telemedicine– How It Is Changing Healthcare

June 1, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has put a spotlight on telemedicine (telehealth) and its value as part of an individual’s and an employer’s healthcare plan. Originally developed largely as a convenience for individuals, telemedicine is now nearly a necessity for both individuals and medical... Find out more »