On June 23, 2020, the Departments of Labor, HHS, and Treasury (Departments) published additional guidance on how the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the FFCRA) and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the CARES Act) apply to health plans. Under the FFCRA, plans and issuers must provide benefits for certain items and services… Continue Reading

On June 11, 2019, the The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPTF) added pre-exposure prophylaxis (“PrEP”) for persons at high risk of HIV acquisition as a “preventive care” service health plans must provide. Under the ACA, non-grandfathered health plans are required to provide coverage for preventive care at 100% without cost sharing. Health plans… Continue Reading

As COVID-19 has brought numerous changes to the world of health benefits, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) published Notice 2020-44 to remind us that the PCORI fee is still due by July 31. The Notice announced the updated fee rate that applies to policy or plan years that end on or after October 1, 2019,… Continue Reading

The IRS recently issued new guidance for cafeteria plans and high deductible health plans (HDHPs) pursuant to Notice 2020-29, which is specifically related to circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides for: Expanded opportunities to make mid-year cafeteria plan election changes during 2020. Modification of the grace period rules for cafeteria plans (including health… Continue Reading

The IRS recently issued new guidance for section 125 cafeteria plans pursuant to Notice 2020-33.  This guidance: Increases the allowable carryover amount for health FSAs that have a carryover feature. Closes a gap in previous guidance regarding the use of pretax contributions taken in one plan year to pay premiums for coverage in the following… Continue Reading