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On Aug. 20, 2021, the Departments of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Treasury (Departments) issued frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding the implementation of the No Surprises Act and transparency provisions of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA). The FAQs provide that Departments will defer enforcement of the rules regarding: Publishing transparency…

Each year, Medicare Part D requires group health plan sponsors to disclose to individuals who are eligible for Medicare Part D and to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) whether the health plan’s prescription drug coverage is creditable. Plan sponsors must provide the annual disclosure notice to Medicare-eligible individuals before Oct. 15, 2021—the…

On July 23, 2021, the IRS published a proposed rule that would expand the requirement to file certain information returns electronically, including those under the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) reporting requirements in Internal Revenue Code Section 6055 and Section 6056. For Form 1094 series, Forms 1095-B and 1095-C, Form 1099 series and Form 5498 series,…

The most successful open enrollment campaigns start engaging employees months before enrollment begins. That means organizations should review their offerings sooner rather than later so there’s ample time to develop and execute a successful campaign. Use this general timeline to help your organization prepare for a successful open enrollment period. 8-12 Weeks Before Open Enrollment…

The pandemic presented many learning opportunities for organizations as they pivoted and learned how to be resilient during uncertain times. The 2020 open enrollment season was one such opportunity, and many employers rose to the challenge by exploring new ways to engage and educate their employees about their benefits. With open enrollment approaching and hybrid/remote…

The COVID-19 pandemic shook the job market in ways never before seen. For one, it created so much uncertainty that employees who would’ve typically searched for a new job last year decided to stay put. For another, the pandemic prompted workers to take stock of their circumstances and consider what workplace perks matter most to…

Health care costs have been rising steadily for years, and that’s not expected to change any time soon. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, employers are looking to shore up costs wherever they can. That means even standard, year-over-year health care cost increases may be too much to bear without some creative planning. With…

On May 5, 2021, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published a second Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters (NBPP) for 2022 that finalized the remainder of the standards included in the proposed notice issued at the end of 2020. The first final 2022 NBPP was published Jan. 19, 2021. This second NBPP…

Companies may need to work with professional employer organizations (PEOs) to obtain contract workers for several reasons—whether it’s to account for their seasonal production periods, fulfill large contracts or secure contract-to-hire positions. Yet, before using a PEO to acquire employees, it is important for employers to understand what the responsibilities are for each party involved…

Attracting and retaining employees is a constant struggle for organizations of any size, but it’s particularly so for small businesses. With smaller teams, employers need to hold onto talent whenever possible. And that can be a challenge, especially when resources are scarce as they are currently amid the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s…