The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has issued temporary regulations under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The FFCRA created new employer requirements to provide paid sick leave and partially compensated, expanded FMLA leave for reasons related to the…

As business closures increase due to the COVID-19 pandemic, employers are faced with questions about compensation and health benefit coverage for their employees. Government relief measures may provide compensation for businesses and individuals in certain situations. In other cases, existing…

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), which was signed into law by President Donald Trump on Friday, March 27, 2020, includes several provisions that apply to certain federal student loans owned by the Department of Education.…

The evolving coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has caused some confusion and uncertainty in applying the look-back measurement method during periods of layoff, furlough, and COVID-19 related periods of paid and unpaid leave. Federal agencies have not issued guidance regarding the ACA’s…

Employers across the country are dealing with the difficult situation of responding to an employee’s positive COVID-19 test. Employers are responsible for handling the situation swiftly to protect the health of other employees while preserving the affected employee’s confidentiality. This…

The FFCRA requires covered employers to provide their employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. The US Department of Labor (DOL) has issued frequently asked questions (FAQs) that address exemptions…

The CARES Act makes a variety of changes affecting health plans, including coronavirus testing, preventive services and vaccines related to COVID-19, telehealth and HDHPs, as well as over-the-counter medications and products being eligible through tax-advantaged accounts like FSAs, HRAs or…

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) creates an employee retention tax credit, which is designed to encourage eligible employers to keep employees on their payroll, despite experiencing economic hardship related to COVID-19. The employee retention credit…

The CARES Act includes the following provisions: The Act includes nearly $350 billion for a federal small business loan program called the Paycheck Protection Program. The program is designed to get cash in the hands of suffering small businesses quickly,…

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about how the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the FFCRA) tax credits apply to small and midsize businesses. The FFCRA provides small and midsize employers refundable tax…

On March 30th NH Governor Sununu signed the Relief for Workers Affected by Coronavirus [CARES] Act agreement which provides New Hampshire with 100 percent funding from the U.S. Department of Labor to support benefit payments to people receiving unemployment as…

Harvard Pilgrim will permit small and large group fully insured employers to hold a special enrollment period between March 27, 2020 and April 10, 2020 for an April 1 effective date for employees who previously did not enroll in coverage.…