Blog
Employers May Be Able To Scrap Mask Mandates For Fully Vaccinated Workers: A 7-Step Blueprint to Overcome Risks and Hurdles
The announcement yesterday from the CDC that fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear amask or physically distance in any non-healthcare setting was a welcome relief for all Americans and a hopeful sign that we have turned a significant corner with the COVID-19...
My Recent Pet Peeves: Zoom Meetings
Every month I write about HR compliance or HR issues but this month I want to shake it up a bit and share some of my recent pet peeves. Most business owners have been conducting meetings virtually for over a year now and you would think we’re getting pretty good at...
Health Plan Rules – Treating Employees Differently
Over my 20-plus years in employee benefits employers have asked one question more than any other: “Can I provide better benefits for some employees?” For example, some employers consider implementing the following plan designs: Different levels of benefits for groups...
Understanding Expanded Subsidies for COBRA Coverage
On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) expanding COVID-19 relief efforts. Under this new law, the federal government is covering 100% of the cost of qualifying COBRA coverage from April 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021....
DOL Release of Model COBRA Notices
The DOL has released the Model COBRA Notices for use with all new election notifications, as well as notifications for individuals that experienced involuntary terminations and are still in their initial 18 month COBRA period, under the ARPA subsidy rules. The full...
Returning Workforce and COVID-19 Vaccines – HR Toolkit
The COVID-19 pandemic has been raging for months. In that time, many businesses have ceased operations out of safety concerns and have waited for the right opportunity to resume. Now, with COVID- 19 vaccines becoming available, employers can finally start planning for...
ARPA COBRA Subsidy Q&A
Q: I was terminated in August 2020, and never elected COBRA. Can I enroll now and receive the subsidy for the months April through September, without paying premiums due back to August 2020? A: Yes. Under the ARPA, qualified beneficiaries that were involuntarily...
COBRA Subsidy Provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), signed into law March 11, 2021, provides a 100% subsidy of premiums for employer-sponsored group health insurance continued under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 (COBRA) and similar state continuation of...
California’s New COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave
On March 19, 2021, the Governor signed SB 95, bringing back the state’s COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave — with some big changes. SB 95 significantly expands the number of employers required to start providing this leave, provides a fresh bank of up to 80 hours...
Outbreak Period Expiration Approaching, No New Guidance
Last year, federal agencies issued relief postponing various employee benefit plan deadlines during a defined “Outbreak Period” to help plans, participants and service providers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Outbreak Period began on March 1, 2020, and lasts...
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