Stimulus Bill Includes Ban on Surprise Medical Bills

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 also includes the No Surprises Act, a ban on surprise medical bills, which takes effect beginning in 2022.

Health Plans Must Cover COVID-19 Vaccine Without Cost Sharing

On Dec. 12, 2020, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended use of Pfizer Inc.’s COVID-19 vaccine for individuals 16 years of age and older. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the vaccine one day earlier.

COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Begins Following Emergency Use Authorization by FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for drugmaker Pfizer Inc.’s COVID-19 vaccine, developed in partnership with German drugmaker BioNTech.

This EUA allows distribution of the vaccine to begin immediately in the United States, and some high-risk health care workers will begin receiving their first shot of the two-dose vaccine this week.

The authorization follows an endorsement from the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC), composed of independent doctors, scientists and experts.

COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution

Prior to the FDA authorization for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, federal officials had planned for 6.4 million doses to be distributed initially, with future shipments following shortly after. As high-risk groups, 

including health care workers and long-term care residents, begin to receive the COVID-19 vaccine before the end of 2020, it will likely still be months before vaccine distribution reaches the general public.

For more information on the coronavirus pandemic, contact Better Business Planning, Inc. today.

CDC Approves Recommendation for Vaccine Distribution

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Robert Redfield has approved a COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan. The approved interim recommendation first offers vaccine distribution to health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities in the initial phase of the vaccination program before offering the vaccine to the general public.

PCORI Fee Amount Adjusted for 2021

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) imposes a fee on health insurance issuers and self-insured plan sponsors in order to fund comparative effectiveness research. These fees are widely known as Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fees, and were originally scheduled to expire for plan or policy years ending on or after Oct. 1, 2019. However, a federal spending bill enacted at the end of 2019 extended the PCORI fees for an additional 10 years.

What OSHA Could Look Like Under a Biden Administration

In light of the U.S. presidential election results, workplace health and safety experts have begun speculating on the possible changes that President-elect Joe Biden could make to existing practices within the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) once he takes office—especially in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

CDC Issues Updated Guidance for Thanksgiving Celebrations

As COVID-19 cases continue to surge across the country, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued updated guidelines for safely celebrating Thanksgiving this year.

These updated guidelines focus on remaining safe during small gatherings, which the CDC points to as being a contributor to the current increase in COVID-19 cases.

As a reminder, the CDC’s guidelines are not meant to replace—but rather supplement—any state, local, territorial, or tribal health and safety laws, rules and regulations with which all gatherings must comply.

CDC Redefines "Close Contact" Under COVID-19 Guidance

CDC Redefines “Close Contact” Under COVID-19 Guidance

On Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) clarified what “close contact” means as it relates to COVID-19-prevention guidance. 

Social Connectivity in the Time of COVID-19

SOCIAL CONNECTIVITY IN THE TIME OF COVID-19

The need for social distancing has put a pause on normal socializing activities, like family get-togethers, restaurant outings and music concerts. As the pandemic continues, social distancing doesn’t need to mean social isolation. If you don’t address it, isolation and loneliness during the pandemic may pose a risk to your mental health.

Your Wellness Matters: Flu

A recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study suggested that, on average, about 8% of the U.S. population gets sick from the flu each season. In preparation for the 2020-21 flu season, learn more about the flu and how you can prevent it.

About Influenza

Influenza, which is commonly known as the flu, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses. Flu season typically begins in October, peaks between December and February, and can last through May.

The flu is different than a cold, as it usually comes on suddenly. It’s also important to note that COVID-19 and the flu may present similar symptoms. As such, testing may be needed to help confirm a diagnosis.

What are the symptoms of the flu?

The flu can cause mild to severe illness. People who contract the flu may feel some or all of these symptoms:

·      Cough

·      Sore throat

·      Runny or stuffy nose

·      Muscle or body aches

·      Headaches

·      Fatigue

In some cases, particularly in children, vomiting and diarrhea can also be a symptom of the flu.

Prevalence of the Flu

The flu is so common that the number of people infected each season can only be estimated. However, it is more prevalent in certain age groups. One Clinical Infectious Diseases study broke down the infection rate across age groups as follows:

·      Children ages 0 to 17 years - 9.3%

·      Adults ages 18 to 64 years - 8.8%

·      Adults ages 65 and older - 3.9%

How can the flu be treated?

Antiviral drugs can lessen symptoms and shorten the time you are sick, as well as prevent serious flu complications like pneumonia. The CDC recommends prompt treatment for people who have or are suspected to have the flu. This is especially important for those who have a high risk of serious flu complications, including:

·      Young children

·      Adults of 65 years or older

·      Pregnant women

·      People with certain medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease

How can the flu be prevented?

The best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated every year. This year, due to COVID-19, it’s more important than ever. The CDC recommends that everyone over the age of 6 months receive their annual flu vaccine. 

To keep yourself safe, you should also:

·      Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

·      Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.

·      Wash your hands with soap and warm water often, or use an alcohol-based sanitizer when soap and water aren’t available.

For more information about the flu, contact your doctor today. 

OSHA Guidance: Wearing Face Coverings in Hot and Humid Environments

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued guidance on safety protocols employees can use when wearing cloth face coverings in hot, humid indoor and outdoor work conditions. Wearing face coverings has become necessary in multiple industries because of the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Heat-Related Illness and Respiratory Hazard

According to OSHA, hot and humid working conditions can pose a respiratory hazard to workers and account for 50 to 70% of all outdoor fatalities in the workplace. Hazardous heat exposure can occur indoors or outdoors, and can occur during any season if the conditions are right.

For these reasons, and because of the current pandemic, OSHA has published guidance for employers on how they can protect workers who wear cloth face coverings in hot and humid work conditions. 

The Guidance

OSHA’s guidance provides best practices to reduce the risk of heat-related illness or injuries while wearing cloth face coverings, including:

þ  Allowing employees to use personal cooling systems;

þ  Considering alternatives to wearing face coverings;

þ  Monitoring weather conditions and scheduling strenuous activities during cooler parts of the day; and

þ  Continuing to use administrative and engineering safety controls in addition to cloth face coverings.

Employers should train their employees on how to prevent heat-related illnesses and stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Employers should also consider making the indoor and outdoor best practices publications available to their employees. 

President Trump Issues Health Care Plan in an Executive Order

On Sept. 24, 2020, President Donald Trump introduced his plan for affordable, high-quality health care, called the America First Health Care Plan. This plan, issued in an executive order, is primarily aimed at protecting people with preexisting conditions and combating surprise medical billing.

An executive order is a broad policy directive used to establish how laws will be enforced by the administration. The order does not make any changes to existing laws or regulations, but directs federal agencies to issue new guidance to implement the order’s policies. As a result, the executive order’s specific impact will remain largely unclear until agencies issue further guidance or Congress takes action in response to the order.

The America First Health Care Plan

The executive order directs the Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor and the Treasury to maintain and build upon existing actions to:

·         Expand options for affordable health care;

·         Expand access to affordable medicines, including accelerating the approvals of new generic and biosimilar drugs and facilitating the safe importation of affordable prescription drugs from abroad;

·         Ensure consumers have access to meaningful price and quality information before the delivery of care; and

·         Reduce waste, fraud and abuse in the health care system.

The executive order specifically directs HHS to work with Congress to reach a legislative solution to end surprise medical billing by Dec. 31, 2020. If a legislative solution is not reached by that date, the executive order directs HHS to take administrative action to prevent out-of-pocket expenses that cannot be reasonably foreseen.

Trump Signs Executive Order to Lower Medicare Drug Prices

On Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at lowering drug costs for Medicare recipients.

10 Tips to Maximize Productivity While Working Remotely

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the stigma associated with working remotely has disappeared. And, as the pandemic continues, working from home is likely to stick around.

CDC Releases Guidance on Handling COVID-19 Policy Disputes with Customers

The past few months have seen multiple instances of aggression and violence against workers who attempted to enforce their establishment’s COVID-19 prevention policies and practices with customers. As a result, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued new guidance instructing employees not to force any customer who appears upset or potentially violent to comply with their workplace’s COVID-19 prevention requirements. 

Court Blocks Rule on LGBTQ+ Discrimination in Health Care

On Aug. 17, 2020, a federal district court granted an injunction blocking a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regulation that would have allowed health care and insurance discrimination based on sex stereotyping, gender identity and pregnancy-related conditions. 

Live Well, Work Well - September 2020 Newsletter

Choosing an Effective Hand Sanitizer

Hand hygiene is an important response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends washing hands with soap and water. If those aren’t available, using a hand sanitizer can help you avoid getting sick and spreading germs.

IRS Releases 2021 Affordability Percentage

IRS issued Revenue Procedure 2020-36, which increases the affordability threshold for ACA employer mandate pay or play purposes to 9.83% for plan years beginning in 2021 from 9.78% for 2020.

Trump Signs Executive Order Permanently Expanding Telehealth Benefits

President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order aimed to improve telemedicine and rural health care access. The order expands telehealth benefits for Medicare recipients past the public health emergency (PHE) declaration for the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, particularly addressing health care access in rural communities.

How Social Distancing Is Impacting Workplace Culture

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to evolve, one guideline that is likely to last beyond this year is social distancing. Employers have a responsibility to keep employees healthy and safe, and that duty is informing their return-to-work strategies. For instance, some organizations are keeping employees at home to work remotely for the foreseeable future. Other organizations are reconfiguring office layouts to lower capacity and considering safety measures like temperature checks and staggered shifts.

HR Brief Newsletter- August 2020

Preparing for a Second Wave of COVID-19

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is still going on, despite businesses reopening. Moreover, public health officials and experts are warning of a potential second wave of COVID-19 cases.

Of course, no one knows if or when a second wave of infection will strike—or whether it will be as bad as or worse than the first wave. As such, businesses across the country should start planning today to properly prepare for a second wave of COVID-19 cases.

Here are three ways organizations can prepare:

1. Review Federal, State and Local Guidance

Businesses in one region may be able to remain open, while businesses in other regions may need to close or adjust for a second time. As such, it’s critical to understand and continually review all relevant state and local orders to determine if your business needs to take action in the face of a second wave of COVID-19 cases.

2. Review Your Organizational Risks

Even if there aren’t federal, state or local recommendations to close your business, that doesn’t mean your organization is safe from the coronavirus.  Similar to conducting a risk assessment for planning to reopen following the first wave of COVID-19 cases, your organization should conduct a risk assessment in preparation for a reemergence of COVID-19 cases.

3. Maintain Workplace Safety and Communicate With Employees

There is a variety of guidance from official sources, like OSHA, to help employers maintain health and safety, and keep employees informed.

Speak with Better Business Planning, Inc. for more workplace guidance.

Determining Whether a COVID-19 Case Is Work-related

Even as businesses reopen and employees return to their new normal, the risk of becoming exposed to and ill with COVID-19 is still present. When an employee reports they have COVID-19, employers are faced with the difficult task of determining whether the employee’s illness is work-related.

As is the case with all inherently legal issues, employers are strongly recommended to seek the guidance of legal counsel when faced with these sorts of situations.

OSHA Guidance on Work-relatedness

An injury or illness is work-related if an event or exposure in the work environment either caused or contributed to the resulting condition or significantly aggravated a preexisting injury or illness. Work-relatedness is presumed for events or exposures in the work environment.

Unfortunately, because the coronavirus is so widespread, determining whether an employee’s illness is work-related can be difficult and should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Employers should ask probing questions to reveal the potential exposure of COVID-19 in their workplaces. Employers should consult with legal counsel if they are concerned about what kinds of questions they may ask.

After conducting a review, employers will need to record the incident and report it to OSHA.

Speak with us for more information related to this process.

 

Deciding Who Should Continue to Work from Home During the COVID-19 Pandemic

As businesses across the country continue reopening and the threat of a second wave of COVID-19 cases looms, employers are facing difficult decisions regarding work-from-home arrangements. 

DOL Releases More Q&As on Workplace Laws and Coronavirus

On July 20, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced the agency’s publication of additional guidance on applying federal employment laws in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidance is in the form of questions and answers added to sets of Q&As the agency issued earlier in the year about the operation of the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) in workplace situations involving COVID-19.

10 Pandemic-Related Challenges Likely to Plague Employers in the Future

While employees and employers alike have been eager (for months now) to get back to work as it used to be, the reality is that the workplace has changed — and possibly for the long term. Speculation abounds that this “new normal” will persist until there is a widely available and effective vaccine. This leaves employers in limbo — juggling the new day-to-day legal concerns and practical difficulties, such as enforcing proper social distancing and addressing refusals to return to work, while trying to maintain productivity and profitability to keep businesses afloat.

Application Deadline for Small Business Loans Extended

Congress has passed legislation to extend the application deadline for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan through Aug. 8, 2020. Prior to the extension, the deadline to apply for these funds was June 30, 2020. The extension enables eligible small businesses to apply for funding for five more weeks. The legislation has been sent to President Trump, who is expected to sign the measure into law.

Hospitals Lose Bid to Keep Secret the Rates they Negotiate with Insurers

(CNN) -- A coalition of hospital groups lost their attempt to block the Trump administration from requiring hospitals to disclose the prices they privately negotiate with insurers.

Why Employee Experience Shouldn't Stop Short of Health Benefits

Employee experience matters. It creates more engaged and productive employees, better customer experiences, and more innovative and profitable organizations. Research from KennedyFitch’s EX Leaders Network reports that 90% of companies said employee experience (EX) will increase in importance within their organizations in the next one to two years, and 50% said they set aside budget to execute their EX strategy this year.

DOL Revises the Fluctuating Workweek Overtime Method

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently announced a final rule that allows employers to pay bonuses or other incentive-based pay to salaried, nonexempt employees whose hours vary from week to week. The final rule clarifies that payments, in addition to the fixed salary, are compatible with the use of the fluctuating workweek method under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

PCORI Fee Amount Adjusted for 2020

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) imposes a fee on health insurance issuers and self-insured plan sponsors in order to fund comparative effectiveness research. These fees are widely known as Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fees, and were originally scheduled to expire for plan or policy years ending on or after Oct. 1, 2019. However, a federal spending bill enacted at the end of 2019 extended the PCORI fees for an additional 10 years.

As a result, on June 8, 2020, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued Notice 2020-44, which increases the PCORI fee amount for plan years ending on or after Oct. 1, 2019, and before Oct. 1, 2020, to $2.54 multiplied by the average number of lives covered under the plan. It also provides transition relief for calculating the average number of lives covered under the plan or policy (which is what the PCORI fee is based on).

Transition Relief

Because of the anticipated termination of the PCORI fee prior to its extension, issuers and plan sponsors may not have anticipated the need to identify the number of covered lives for plan years ending on or after Oct. 1, 2019, and before Oct. 1, 2020. Thus, IRS Notice 2020-44 provides transition relief for this period.

Specifically, issuers and plan sponsors may use any reasonable method for calculating the average number of covered lives for this period, in addition to existing methods, so long as it is applied consistently for the duration of the plan year.

Form 720

PCORI fees are required to be paid annually on IRS Form 720 by July 31 of each year. For plans ending in 2019, the next PCORI fee payment will be due July 31, 2020. Form 720 has not yet been updated for plan years ending on or after Oct. 1, 2019.

Immunity from Civil Liability for Coronavirus Exposure

Federal Coronavirus-related laws, including the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, have included specific and limited liability provisions to encourage active participation of the medical industry in the fight against COVID-19 without fear of legal repercussions.

For the most part, this limited immunity has provided some protection to:

·         Healthcare workers in the event that they have to turn patients away;

·         Manufacturers of some respiratory masks, to allow them to provide an ample supply of masks for healthcare workers and patients without fear of legal backlash should any of those masks fail; and

·         Volunteer healthcare professionals (the provisions offer patient protection in cases of gross negligence or criminal misconduct).

As local economies begin to reopen, some states have also adopted laws that offer immunity from COVID-19-related injuries, damages and exposure. However, these state limited immunity laws have a wider application that often extends to businesses and individuals. Please review the chart on the next page for an overview of recent state-level COVID-19 immunity laws.

Action Steps

The immunity available under these state laws is often limited and applies only if specific criteria are met. Employers should review the chart below and become familiar with the conditions and scope of the immunity afforded to them by any applicable state laws.

 are enforced.

State COVID-19 Immunity Laws

State	Effective	Application	Conditions
North Carolina	May 4, 2020	·     Applies to essential businesses that provides goods and services. ·     Immunity protects from liability for customer or employee injuries or death allegedly caused by contracting COVID-19 while doing business with or while employed by the essential business. ·     Immunity does not apply to incidents of gross negligence, reckless misconduct or intentional infliction of harm.	·     Immunity applies to claims occurring on or after the issuance of the COVID-19 essential business executive order and expires when the COVID-19 emergency declaration is rescinded or expires.
Oklahoma	May 21, 2020	·     Applies to individuals and businesses in civil lawsuits for injuries from exposure (or potential exposure) to COVID-19. ·     Applies to civil lawsuits filed on or after May 21, 2020.	·     The act or omission leading to claim must follow the guidelines issued by any applicable federal or state regulation or presidential or gubernatorial executive order. ·     The guidance followed must be applicable at the time of the alleged incident.
Utah	May 4, 2020	·     Provides liability from civil litigation to individuals for damages or injuries. resulting from exposure to COVID-19 ·     Immunity does not apply to willful misconduct, reckless infliction of harm, intentional infliction of harm. ·     Immunity does not modify the state’s workers’ compensation, occupational disease or governmental immunity laws. ·     Immunity applies in addition to other immunity protections under state or federal law.	·     Exposure must take place on the premises owned or operated by that person or during an activity managed by that person.
Wyoming	May 20, 2020	·     Applies to any person, business or health care provider. ·     Applies to liability arising from acting in good faith or complying with health officer instructions. ·     Also applies to retired health care workers with an inactive license who volunteer during the public health emergency. ·     Does not apply to acts or omissions classified as gross negligence or willful/wanton misconduct.	·     Applies during a public health emergency. ·     Immunity applies only when the instructions of a state, city, town or county health officer were followed or actions were undertaken in good faith in responding to the public health emergency.

 

More Information

Please contact Better Business Planning, Inc. or your local state health department for more information on COVID-19 guidelines.

President Trump Signs Bill Amending PPP Into Law

Since being established as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act in March 2020, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) has been the subject of additional stimulus bills, legal guidance and interim final rules. In the latest development, Congress passed the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020, which is a bill that provides borrowers with greater flexibility in spending PPP funds without compromising forgiveness eligibility. President Donald Trump signed the bill into law on Friday, June 5, 2020.  

What is included in the bill?

The bill, which passed with a bipartisan vote, makes the following amendments to the PPP to provide relief to borrowers:

·         Loan repayment terms—The bill extends the minimum loan term for unforgiven PPP loans from two years to five years.

·         Payroll costs vs. nonpayroll costs— For forgiveness eligibility, the bill reduces the portion of PPP funds that must be spent on payroll costs from 75% to 60%, and raises the nonpayroll cost limitation from 25% to 40%.

·         Covered period extension—The bill extends the covered period during which borrowers must spend the PPP funds to be eligible for forgiveness from eight weeks to 24 weeks from the date of origination of the loan.

·         Payroll tax deferment—The bill permits borrowers to defer payroll taxes without being penalized while still remaining eligible for loan forgiveness.

·         Extension of rehiring safe harbor—The bill extends the rehiring safe harbor by six months to provide borrowers with additional time to restore payroll levels or rehire employees without facing a reduction in the amount of forgiveness for which they are eligible. The original date was June 30, 2020, and the new date is Dec. 31, 2020.

In addition to the provisions above, the bill provides loan forgiveness eligibility exemptions for borrowers that are not able to rehire an employee or a replacement. There are also exemptions for loan forgiveness eligibility for borrowers that are not able to return to the same level of business due to complying with COVID-19-related orders or circumstances.

What’s next?

Borrowers should review the bill carefully and speak to their lender should they have any questions. In addition, borrowers should direct any questions regarding their PPP loan to their lender.

We will continue to monitor any additional developments regarding the PPP and deliver updates as necessary. For more information about the PPP, contact Better Business Planning, Inc..

Source: Zywave, 2020. 

COVID-19 Considerations for Pharmacies

While the COVID-19 pandemic has forced many organizations to close their doors for an extended period, pharmacies across the country have remained open to provide essential medications and services. However, there are still a variety of workplace adjustments and procedures that pharmacy owners must implement in order to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

SBA Issues Two Additional PPP Final Interim Rules

The Small Business Administration (SBA) recently released two additional final interim rules to provide further guidance for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan borrowers and lenders. Specifically, the two rules provide guidance for loan review procedures, loan forgiveness, and borrower and lender responsibilities.  

Accommodating At-risk Employees Amid COVID-19

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compels employers to provide reasonable accommodations to employees who need it. These accommodations can be straightforward and may include installing a wheelchair ramp or adding text-to-voice software on a computer. In many cases, the accommodation needed for an employee to perform their job is obvious.

Common Employment Practices Claims Arising Out of COVID-19

As COVID-19 continues to spread throughout the United States, there has been a massive upheaval of the American workplace. Employers have found themselves drafting and implementing policies and procedures addressing a wide array of issues including remote work, layoffs, furloughs, pay cuts, workplace conditions and many more. Not surprisingly, the uncertainty wrought by COVID-19 has left employers at an increased risk of exposure to employment-related claims alleging wrongful termination, discrimination, retaliation and many others.

Handling the Influx of Remote Work Requests

Before the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the merits and pitfalls of working remotely were often debated. As states went into lockdown to help stop the spread of the coronavirus, many workforces were forced to go online and quickly adapt to a remote-only work environment. Now, as the pandemic evolves and offices and worksites reopen, employers are likely to experience an influx of requests from employees to continue telecommuting.

Is This the New Normal?

Life lately has been far from business as usual. During lockdown, we’ve experienced a paradigm shift. Remote working—or telecommuting—may no longer be seen as a workflex arrangement for select employees. As businesses reopen, it’s not as simple as flipping a switch. Every company and industry is unique and will have to decide what’s best for their business, employees and customers.

For many companies, prolonging a remote work policy is not just a safety measure. As summer approaches, it’s a logical approach to help employees with young children. With daycares, schools and after-school or recreation programs closed, parents are figuring out how to entertain young children at home while still working. Continuing remote work policies can also provide management some more time to reconfigure office floor plans and procedures to be a safer environment. Some companies may extend working from home for employees simply because it’s been working out well.

 

Requests Start Rolling In

As the decision is made for employees to come back to the office, employees may begin to have remote work requests. Likewise, companies may be more accepting of those requests than prior to the pandemic. Some companies could even make their entire operations remote as a new way to manage facility costs.

Employees may have personal reasons for requesting to work from home instead of coming into the office every day. Keep in mind the following common reasons:

·         Fearing contraction and spread of COVID-19 to family members or their household

·         Caring for children or other family members

·         Complying with social distancing mandates

·         Saving on commute time

·         Being more productive

Lastly, employees also may have quickly acclimated to working from home and would like to simply continue that work situation. As states start opening up again, employers should have a plan to address the post-pandemic workplace and workforce.

COVID-19 Relief for Employee Benefit Plan Deadlines

The DOL and the Department of Treasury (Treasury) recently issued deadline relief to help employee benefit plans and plan participants affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.

Participant Notices

The final rule extends the time frames for health plan participants to:

·   Request special enrollment under HIPAA

·   Elect COBRA continuation coverage, pay COBRA premiums and notify the plan of a COBRA qualifying event

·   File benefit claims and appeals, and request external review of denied claims

These deadlines are extended by disregarding the “Outbreak Period.” The Outbreak Period is the period of time from March 1, 2020, until 60 days after the announced end of the National Emergency (or such other date announced by the DOL and Treasury). The Outbreak Period cannot exceed one year.

ERISA Notices and Disclosures

In addition to the deadline relief for plan participants, the DOL issued Disaster Relief Notice 2020-01 to extend the time for plan officials to furnish benefit statements and other notices and disclosures required under ERISA.

Some of the key disclosures required by ERISA include the Summary Plan Description (SPD), Summary of Material Modifications (SMM) and Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC).

This relief is available to plans that act in good faith to furnish required documents as soon as administratively practicable. Acting in good faith can include using electronic communication to provide documents if certain requirements are met.

More Information

There are additional deadlines affected by the COVID-19 relief. Contact us today to learn which other benefit plan deadlines are extended.

Source: Zywave, 2020.

Know Your Benefits: Managing Your Chronic Condition During the COVID-19 Pandemic

If you’re one of the 133 million Americans with a chronic condition, you’ve probably experienced disruptions to how you manage your condition due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, managing your chronic condition shouldn’t be put on the back burner.

Following the Doctor’s Orders Has Never Been More Important

Patients who do not follow their doctors’ orders, especially patients with chronic conditions, may experience health complications, rapid disease progression, decreased quality of life and even premature death.

Not following orders can include not filling a prescription, not taking medication as directed and not attending or scheduling a follow-up appointment. Fortunately, there are some simple ways you can manage your condition during quarantine:

• Use telehealth services—Telemedicine makes it possible for you to talk to a doctor about your condition, receive a prescription and obtain treatment recommendations from the comfort and safety of your home. As a reminder, telemedicine shouldn’t be used for emergency care situations.
• Don't forget to fill or take prescribed medication—Keeping up with prescribed medications is essential for successfully managing a chronic condition. If you’re unable to go or uncomfortable going into a pharmacy to fill or pick up a prescription, transfer your prescription to a pharmacy that has a drive-thru option. You may also be able to sign up for a mail-order pharmacy service to get your medicine delivered to your doorstep.
• Lead a healthy lifestyle—Combining a healthy lifestyle with your treatment may be able to help you better manage your condition. Some simple things you can do during the pandemic include eating a well-balanced diet, exercising, reducing stress and avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption.

Prioritize Your Health

Failing to keep up with your chronic condition treatment can put you at risk for long-term consequences. Using telemedicine, drive-thru and mail-order pharmacy services, and leading a healthy lifestyle throughout the pandemic can help you prioritize your health. 

Pre-employment Screening Amid COVID-19

The coronavirus pandemic and its disease, COVID-19, have disrupted HR departments across the country. Essential tasks are now getting bogged down due to staffing shortages and shelter-in-place orders. This can make it even harder for the businesses still managing to operate during the pandemic, especially when it comes to hiring.

What To Do After Receiving a PPP Loan

In response to the debilitating effect the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has had on small businesses across the country, the federal government funded a program under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) called the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

Business Travel After COVID-19

Travel—for both business and leisure—worldwide has virtually come to a standstill during the coronavirus pandemic. At this point, nobody knows when it will come back. Whenever that time comes though, travel will certainly be different than it was before. Airports, airlines, hotels and car rental companies will likely be taking new precautions as companies start greenlighting travel for business purposes.

Managing Your Post-coronavirus Reputation

There’s no denying that the COVID-19 pandemic has been disrupting businesses, both small and large, across the globe. Businesses have had to drastically adjust their operations.

Once the threat of the coronavirus declines, your business may be ready to open up and return to normal operations. Whether your business had to close its doors or you had to set up your employees to work remotely, it’s important to recognize the global pandemic and continue protecting your company’s reputation.

CARES Act Allows Tax-free Student Loan Assistance

Among other measures aimed at easing student loan burdens during the coronavirus pandemic, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) includes a provision that temporarily allows employers to make tax-free payments of up to $5,250 toward their employees’ student loans.

Wearing Facial Coverings or Masks in the Workplace During COVID-19

During the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, some employers are currently staying open as essential businesses—for organizations that are not open, many plan to welcome back employees shortly. The Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC) advises that face coverings should be worn in public, including places of employment. There are many questions about the differences between masks and face coverings, and which is appropriate to wear. By familiarizing yourself with best practices related to masks and face coverings in the workplace, employers can help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Return to Work Plans Following the COVID-19 Pandemic

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has interrupted many businesses across the country. While it’s unclear how long COVID-19 will continue to affect organizations, many employers are looking to the future of employees returning to work.

Protecting Remote Employees From Cyber Attacks

Although implementing a work-from-home program can provide a wide range of benefits for your business, allowing staff to work remotely also comes with unique risks and challenges. Specifically, having your employees work from home can increase their vulnerability to cyber attacks, which could result in costly consequences for your organization. With this in mind, it’s vital to ensure your work-from-home program is secure by utilizing top-notch technology and providing employees with adequate cyber security resources.