The U.S. Dept. of Labor (DOL) has issued additional Q&As regarding employee leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). Specifically Q&A 104 explains that employers are not required to provide employees with FFCRA leave after Dec. 31, 2020,…

On Jan. 6, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a final rule that clarifies how to determine whether a worker is an employee who is protected under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) or an independent contractor who…

Tufts Health Plan and Harvard Pilgrim Health have announced they have received all the necessary regulatory approvals for their merger which closed 1/4/20. While now one organization, both of the brands and their corresponding products will remain in the market…

As of 1/4/20, UnitedHealthcare has acquired Tufts Health Freedom Plan. Members will now access the UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus network for out-of-area health care services, and will receive a new health plan ID card that shows the UnitedHealthcare logo in the…

On Dec. 29, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued Field Assistance Bulletin 2020-7, which addresses when the DOL will consider electronic posting by employers (by email, or an internet or intranet website) sufficient to provide employees with required…

An appropriations bill, which was signed into law on Dec. 27, 2020, does not extend the leave mandates created by the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act (EFMLA) and the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSLA), which expire on…

On Dec. 27, 2020, President Trump signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 into law. The Act includes a $900 billion coronavirus relief package that provides funding for unemployment benefits, direct economic payments to individuals, vaccine distribution and rental assistance. It…

On Dec. 22, 2020, the IRS issued the 2021 optional standard mileage rates, which are used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes. The 2021 standard mileage rates for the use…

Affordable Care Act (ACA) reporting under Section 6055 and Section 6056 for the 2020 calendar year is due in early 2021. Specifically, reporting entities must: File returns with the IRS by March 1, 2021, since Feb. 28, 2021, is a…

On Dec. 27, 2020, President Trump signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 into law. The Act provides temporary special rules for health and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSAs) that give employees additional time to use these funds. Because…

On Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, President Donald Trump signed into law an emergency stimulus package designed to deliver approximately $900 billion in COVID-19-related aid. This bill was passed by Congress after months of negotiation, and was attached to a $1.4…

Non-grandfathered group health plans, and health insurance issuers offering group or individual health insurance coverage, must cover coronavirus preventive services, including recommended COVID–19 immunizations, without cost sharing. During the COVID-19 public health emergency, covered services may be provided by in-network…