Update
Newsletter
COVID-19 relief for group health plan participants only makes a difference if the participants know that relief is available and understand how to take advantage of it. As group health plans sort through the various COVID-19 relief laws and related guidance, it is important for plans to stay on top of the various notice obligations.
This newsletter highlights some pandemic-related notice requirements that group health plans may be facing in 2021, including: (1) notices regarding free COVID-19 testing and vaccine coverage requirements; (2) notices regarding COBRA, HIPAA special enrollment, and ERISA claims and appeals deadline extensions; (3) COBRA notices required by the American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”); and (4) notices required for optional cafeteria plan changes under the Consolidated Appropriations Act (the “CAA”), as clarified by IRS Notice 2021-15.