On Aug. 1, 2022, the IRS issued Revenue Procedure (Rev. Proc.) 2022-34 to index the contribution percentages in 2023 for determining the affordability of an employer’s plan under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). For plan years beginning in 2023, employer-sponsored coverage will be considered affordable if the employee’s required contribution for self-only coverage does not [...]
Proposed Overtime Rule Expected in October 2022 In its 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 the exemption of executive, administrative and professional employees from [...]
Recently, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine issued a Consensus Study Report using data the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) collected from information private employers and federal contractors provided in the EEO-1 form. The EEOC is entrusted to enforce federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination. Here are some key findings from the study, [...]
A common misstep in attracting or recruiting talent is setting narrow restrictions on who to interview or where talent is sourced. Often, highly talented job candidates are overlooked due to inexperience. Employers have an opportunity to expand their recruiting reach by pursuing entry-level candidates at universities, colleges and trade schools, but it comes down to [...]
On July 12, 2022, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued updated guidance on whether and when employers may test their employees for COVID-19. While the previous guidance generally allowed employers to require testing for all employees entering a workplace, the new guidance requires an individualized assessment of current circumstances. Background The Americans with Disabilities [...]
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released draft 2022 forms for reporting under Internal Revenue Code (Code) Sections 6055 and 6056. Draft instructions for these forms have not yet been released. 2022 draft Forms 1094-B and 1095-B are draft versions of forms that will be used by providers of minimum essential coverage (MEC), including self-insured plan [...]
The Biden administration warned U.S. businesses and health insurance providers that limiting coverage of contraceptives after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned the constitutional right to abortion would violate federal law. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Departments of Labor and Treasury issued guidance clarifying that the Affordable Care Act [...]
In the wake of the Supreme Court’s ruling allowing states to regulate abortion, federal agencies have been issuing new guidance focused on reproductive health care. HIPAA Guidance New guidance addresses covered entities’ obligation under the HIPAA Privacy Rule to safeguard patients’ protected health information (PHI) related to reproductive health care, including abortions. It focuses on [...]
On Thursday, July 21, Amazon reached a deal to acquire One Medical, a network of boutique primary care clinics, for $3.9 billion. This is another substantial step in the e-commerce giant’s plans to become a player in the health care industry. Through this deal, Amazon hopes to improve how people book appointments and enhance the [...]
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 to confirm that they include these required changes. In addition, any changes to a health [...]
