Alera Group News
Scroll down for the latest news, legal alerts, and information from AIA, Alera Group.
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 access to insulin and epinephrine... Find out more »
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Alera Group Appoints Jim Wochele as Vice President, Sales Development
Alera Group is excited to announce that Jim Wochele has recently been appointed as its national Vice President of Sales Development, effective June 29, 2020. Wochele will oversee sales training & development, strategy and execution across the United States.
Wochele is an accomplished... 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
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
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 »
REMINDER: PCORI Fees Due By July 31, 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 »
IRS Releases 2021 HSA Contribution Limits and HDHP Deductible and Out-of-Pocket Limits
In Rev. Proc. 2020-32, the IRS released the inflation adjusted amounts for 2020 relevant to HSAs and high deductible health plans (HDHPs). The table below summarizes those adjustments and other applicable limits.
2021... Find out more »
Carrier Premium Credits and ERISA Fiduciary Obligations
Due to COVID-19 and state and local stay-at-home orders, utilization of group medical and dental insurance benefits is down. As a result, some carriers recently notified employers that they will be issued premium credits. When asking how these premium credits should be treated by the... Find out more »
IRS Relaxes Election Change, Other Rules for Cafeteria Plans and FSAs
As the country continues to feel the impact of the COVID-19 National Emergency declared by President Trump on March 13, 2020, the IRS has provided some much-needed guidance and relief for employees. On May 12, 2020, the IRS issued Notices 2020-29 and 2020-33, which, among other things,... Find out more »
Employer Insurance Premium Payment Grace Periods & Premiums Returned to Employers Inadvertent ERISA Issues
During this pandemic, many employers are having to curtail operations and are going through the difficult process of finding cost-saving measures because of the sudden reduction in revenue caused by the various COVID-19 related state and local government orders.
Many carriers are allowing, and... Find out more »
