Knowledge Center

Information on the COVID-19 Vaccine and the COVID-19 Vaccine Interim Final Rule

The COVID-19 vaccine will be paid for by the federal government through funding authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, but administration of the vaccine by a provider will be paid for by the applicable plan or insurance policy.

The U.S. Departments of the Treasury, Labor and Health and Human Services, released an interim final rule (IFR), effective Nov. 2, 2020, on the COVID-19 vaccine and testing for COVID-19 with a request for comments.

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Rise of Rx Costs and Why You Should Care

The coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has caused most employers to rethink almost every area of their business as they struggle to survive.  While health insurance companies haven’t released their 2021 “renewal rates” yet, an analysis by Covered California estimates premiums could be increased anywhere from 4 to 40 percent. …
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Transparent Hospital Pricing: A Win for Consumers!

On June 23rd, 2020, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) won the first battle in the war for transparent pricing in healthcare against the American Hospital Association (AHA)….
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COVID-19 Treasury and IRS Notices

Notices 2020-29 and Notice 2020-33

Summary of COVID-19-Related Regulatory Guidance Delaying Certain Participant, Plan Deadlines

The Department of Labor (DOL) and Treasury released guidance delaying certain participant deadlines. The rule is effective immediately and not subject to notice and comment.

Duration of Relief

The rule provides that in determining certain plan time frames, the duration of the “outbreak period” is to be disregarded. The outbreak period is the period from March 1, 2020 until 60 days after the end of the national emergency or another date announced by DOL and Treasury in a future notice.

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