In the 2020 fiscal year, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) resolved more than 70,804 charges of workplace discrimination. Discrimination lawsuits can be very time-consuming and expensive for employers, and can result in a loss of employee morale or reputation…

On Jan. 29, 2021, the IRS updated its frequently asked questions (FAQs) on tax credits available to employers for providing paid employee leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). While the leave requirements of the FFCRA expired on…

On Jan. 28, 2021, President Joe Biden issued an executive order that is intended to strengthen the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Medicaid. The order: Directs various departments to review all existing regulations and guidance, and other agency actions to…

On Jan. 19, 2021, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) extended an existing transition policy for certain health plans that do not comply with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for an additional year, to policy years beginning on…

On Jan. 12, 2021, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that it will open four equal employment opportunity (EEO) data collections in 2021. The agency had previously delayed EEO collections in May 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.…

Since 2020, employers have been able to offer individual coverage HRAs (ICHRAs) to help employees pay for individual health insurance. ICHRAs were established by a final rule published on June 20, 2019, which raised questions about how existing federal rules…

Employers must comply with numerous reporting and disclosure requirements throughout the year in connection with their group health plans. This Compliance Overview explains key 2021 compliance deadlines for employer-sponsored group health plans. It also outlines group health plan notices that…

The Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave (DFML) has issued emergency regulations for the paid family and medical leave (PFML) program. The regulations extend PFML coverage to personal care attendants and family child care providers and clarify that family…

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…