COVID-19 News

Update on LBS COVID-19 Tolling Periods Administration

Posted on: 5/18/2022 10:00 AM

Update on LBS COVID-19 Tolling Periods Administration: On April 28, 2020, the Departments of Labor and Treasury jointly announced regulatory changes due to the impact of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. These regulations were meant to provide relief for members and plan administrators and ensure access to active health benefits despite any hardship in paying monthly COBRA premiums. Further clarification of the regulation was announced early in 2021. You can review out communications related… Read More

2022 Limits for Health Saving Accounts and High-Deductible Health Plans

Posted on: 5/21/2021 10:35 AM

On May 10, 2021, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced (see Revenue Procedure 2021-25) cost-of-living adjustments to the applicable dollar limits for health savings accounts (HSAs) and high-deductible health plans (HDHPs).… Read More

IRS Notice 2021-31: Premium Assistance for COBRA Benefits

Posted on: 5/19/2021 1:00 PM

On May 18, 2021, the IRS released additional guidance for the COBRA Premium Assistance (Subsidy) under the American Rescue Plan.  The guidance included additional clarification around eligibility requirements, employer tax credits and Federal and State continuation provisions.… Read More

IRS Allows for Reimbursement of PPE from Health FSAs, HRAs and HSAs

Posted on: 4/2/2021 10:00 AM

On Friday March 26, 2021 the IRS announced that personal protective equipment (PPE) that is purchased for the primary purpose of preventing the spread of COVID-19 is now treated as an eligible medical expense under Section 213(d) of the IRS code. PPE includes masks, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes.… Read More

COVID-19: Our Approach to Recent Notices and Legislative Updates

Posted on: 3/17/2021 1:00 PM

Providing an update to our approach to recent notices and legislative changes regarding COVID-19, including the COBRA subsidy within the American Rescue Plan and the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) Disaster Relief Notice 2021-01.… Read More

Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) Disaster Relief Notice 2021-01

Posted on: 3/5/2021 3:00 PM

On February 26, the Department of Labor (DOL) together with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), issued Disaster Relief Notice 2021-01, which impacts COBRA participants and Reimbursement Accounts, as well as Medical and Dental TPAs.… Read More

Relief Provided for Flexible Spending Account Plans in Stimulus Bill

Posted on: 1/5/2021 9:00 AM

On December 27, 2020, the President signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act for 2021. This new law provides relief options related to Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). As an Employer, you can choose to adopt any of these provisions or to keep your plan the same.… Read More

Mini-COBRA Timeframe Extension Information

Posted on: 8/21/2020 1:00 PM

The recent Department of Labor (DOL) regulation requiring COBRA timeframe extensions DOES NOT apply to mini-COBRA groups. COBRA regulations state that an employer qualifies as mini-COBRA if they employ fewer than 20 employees on at least 50 percent of the employer’s “typical business days” in the prior year.… Read More