Employee Benefits Blog

Group Health Plans Must Provide Free Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Tests Effective January 15, 2022

On January 10, 2022, the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Treasury (collectively the “Departments”) issued Affordable Care Act FAQs Part 51 which addresses, in relevant part, payment for over-the-counter (“OTC”) COVID-19 testing. Shortly after, on February 4, 2022, the Departments issued Affordable Care Act FAQs Part 52 which prospectively modifies the Direct Coverage Safe Harbor from […]

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AB

Group Health Plans Must Provide Free Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Tests Effective January 15, 2022

On January 10, 2022 the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Treasury issued Affordable Care Act FAQs Part 51 which addresses, in relevant part, payment for over-the-counter (“OTC”) COVID-19 testing.   For more information about the OTC COVID-19 testing and its impact on employer-sponsored group health plans, see our SW Benefits Update, “Group Health Plans Must […]

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Final Touches: IRS Clarifies Impact of COVID-19 Disaster Relief on COBRA Payment Deadlines

The Internal Revenue Service recently issued guidance to clarify the interaction between COVID-19 disaster relief and premiums due for continuation coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”). As summarized here, the Joint Notice and the EBSA Disaster Relief Notice (the “Disaster Relief”) extended certain key deadlines in light of the COVID-19 […]

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MC

Free COVID-19 Vaccine and Testing Update

On November 30, Moderna announced that it is seeking FDA authorization for its COVID-19 vaccine.  In addition, on November 17 the FDA issued an emergency use authorization for the first COVID-19 diagnostic test for self-testing at home.  With these recent developments, a COVID-19 update for health and welfare plans might be helpful. Free COVID-19 Vaccines […]

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NC