The fight against COVID-19 has expanded to the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE) items. On Friday, March 26, the IRS released Announcement 2021-7, which qualifies PPE purchased for the primary purpose of preventing the spread of COVID-19 as medical expenses under section 213(d) of the Internal Revenue Code. The regulation allows specific items to be … More >>
On Thursday, March 11, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021. Among other features, ARPA provides full COBRA subsidies under specific circumstances and creates significant additional COBRA enrollment eligibility. The following is a list of common ARPA COBRA subsidy frequently asked questions (FAQs). This is not intended to be legal advice. Please … More >>
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) can be a great investment in one’s personal healthcare and financial future. Their versatility, and the fact that these accounts can be kept for life, mean that HSA owners need to adopt strategies for building and using the accounts to their full potential. March 17, 2021 By Chris Gunderman Originally Posted … More >>
For benefits administrators and brokers, what does the future of technology hold? What can software providers do to help them drastically improve their services, give them a competitive edge, and ensure they can stay in compliance? March 16, 2021 By Adam Rockers Originally Posted by BenefitsPro Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said “The number one … More >>
President Biden signed The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 into law on Thursday, March 11, 2021. In addition to stimulus checks and child tax credits, ARPA features full COBRA subsidies for a limited time and an increase in the maximum contribution limits for people who use Dependent Care Assistance Plans (DCAP) through their … More >>
On Friday, February 26, the Department of Labor (DOL) published Disaster Relief Notice 2021-01, a follow up to the Joint Notice published May 4, 2020. The May notice required that health and retirement plans disregard a number of deadlines for individuals during the COVID-19 National Emergency, plus a 60-day period (the “Outbreak Period”) starting March … More >>
DataPath examines the effects of COVID-19 on COBRA and upcoming ERISA plan deadlines LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS (February 16, 2021) – DataPath, Inc., a leading developer of technology solutions for employee benefits administration, has published a whitepaper titled, “COVID-19 and COBRA Continuation Insurance: Where Do We Stand?” The paper takes a deeper look at the effect … More >>
Third party benefits administrators need to be aware of the upcoming end to the COVID-19 outbreak period for group health plans. This deadline, which ends February 28, 2021, could cause unfamiliar administrative burdens on TPAs. In May 2020, following the passage of the CARES Act, the IRS and DOL issued a joint notice on COVID-19 … More >>
Do you know the difference between a HRA vs HSA? The key difference between the two is that an HRA is employer-owned whereas an HSA is employee-owned. With an HSA, the employee keeps the account and can transfer it when he or she changes jobs. Account holders may also invest their HSA funds.
On Monday, December 21, Congress passed a new $900 billion COVID stimulus bill (known as the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021). The legislation is aimed at helping Americans cope with challenges from the pandemic. Along with stimulus payments and other financial provisions, the bill also includes modified carryover and dependent rules for Dependent Care Assistance Plan … More >>
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are a wonderful tool for saving money on healthcare expenses. When you enroll in a qualified high deductible health plan and sign up for an HSA, you contribute pre-tax money into an account then withdraw those funds for qualified healthcare expenses. When used for qualified expenses, withdrawals are tax-free. However, many HSA owners wonder if the money can be used for non-qualified expenses. If so, is there an HSA withdrawal penalty?
Dependent Care FSA and Carryover – Concerns from COVID-19 Since March 2020, the United States has been reeling from the COVID-19 outbreak. Everyone across the nation has been impacted one way or another. From economic uncertainty to school and public safety concerns, adults and children alike have had to learn to deal with a new … More >>
Views: Employers and benefits administrators must prepare for a COBRA avalanche November 16, 2020 By Bo Armstrong Originally Posted by Employee Benefit News In the first six months of COVID-19 outbreak, more than 60 million Americans filed for unemployment. A recent report by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) suggests that companies are still cutting a … More >>
For people enrolled in a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) and have (or are considering) an HSA, some commonly asked questions include “Does Medicare Enrollment Impact My HSA Eligibility?” Here are the answers to this question and others.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) published Rev. Proc. 2020-45, announcing annual limits for Flexible Spending Account (FSA) contributions, maximum carryover amounts, and Transportation benefit (Transit/Commuter/Parking) contribution limits. FSA, LPFSA, and related limits for 2021 will remain the same as they are for 2020. Learn more about 2021 FSA contribution limits and other updates below. 2021 … More >>