The recently launched DOL portal on mental health and wellness has helpful resources and tools for HR practitioners to promote best practices and compliance.
Particularly with the GenZ population, awareness of mental health, reducing stigma, and employers providing appropriate support will play a role in where job candidates seek employment.
With the tight labor market, employers are finding that offering just a “good health plan” is not enough. Employees are looking for help with income protection and supplemental plans that help cover deductibles. Employers are increasingly engaging employees on these benefits that are valued and make a real difference.
On April 26th NABIP submitted written testimony to the House Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Health proposing solutions to help control healthcare costs. Although there is no silver bullet, we’re pleased to see Federal discussion of issues we supported at the state level when we went to Albany in March.
The Biden Administration is ending the National Public Health Emergency for COVID-19 at the end of the day May 11, 2023. This means that there will be changes to the way insurance plans cover testing and treatment of COVID-19.
Excellus lists the following changes:
Aetna – Offers reimbursement and no-cost options for those enrolled in employer-sponsored and individual plans. For more information:
Aetna COVID Test Reimbursement Information
Excellus – Offers reimbursement and no-cost options for those enrolled in employer-sponsored and individual plans. For more information:
Excellus COVID Test Reimbursement Information
MVP – Offers reimbursement to commercial plan members. For more information:
MVP COVID Test Reimbursement Information
UHC – Offers reimbursement and no-cost options for those enrolled in employer-sponsored and individual plans. For more information:
UHC COVID Test Reimbursement Information
Other options for free at home tests:
The Federal government has a website for each household to request a one-time shipment of four free at-home COVID-19 tests. Go to www.covidtests.gov
Medicare has announced that free at-home tests will be available under Part B in the spring of 2022.
The Department of Labor announced an increase in ERISA penalties for 2022 for employers who fail to maintain plan documents for health and welfare plans, file Form 5500, or provide required documents and notices. For details, click here.
Excellus, United Healthcare, and MVP have updated their policies regarding cost-sharing for COVID-19 testing and treatment.
Governor Cuomo has announced that the New York State of Emergency, first declared on March 7, 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic, has expired. Businesses are no longer required to limit capacity or maintain social distancing, although they are free to continue restrictions if they choose.
CDC guidance remains in effect for large venues, schools, public transit, healthcare settings, nursing homes, and correctional facilities. The CDC is monitoring for the presence of the Delta variant of COVID-19 due to the higher transmissibility of the strain and the tendency to become the dominant strain in areas where it has been detected.
New York’s success in bringing the COVID infection rate down has been attributed in part to tighter restrictions and the high vaccination rate. Over 20 million doses of the vaccine have been administered. Areas of the country with the lowest vaccination rates (such as the Gulf states) are considered the most vulnerable to future surges in COVID infection rates.
Benefit Design Services is moving to another building in our corporate park. Effective May 1, 2021, our new address will be:
We’ll be moving on April 29th and 30th and are hoping for minimal disruption of phone and internet service.
The IRS announced in March that personal protective equipment (PPE) used in preventing the spread of COVID-19 is now an eligible medical expense under Section 213(d) of the IRS code. Retroactively to January 1, 2020, the cost of hand sanitizer, wipes, and masks can now be reimbursed from your FSA, HSA, or HRA.
(315)437-2484
5010 Campuswood Dr, Ste 105, E. Syracuse, NY