Depending on where they work, some employees may find student loan debt relief through employers that offer paydown benefits for eligible workers. 
A recent Internal Revenue Service (IRS) memorandum addresses the tax status of certain fixed-indemnity health plans that promise employers major payroll tax savings. In this American Staffing Association article, Alden J. Bianchi summarizes the memorandum and outlines what employers need to know. Read the article.
The post IRS Clarifies Status of Fixed-Indemnity Health Plans Claiming Big Tax Savings appeared first on EMPLOYEE BENEFITS BLOG.
https://www.employeebenefitsblog.com/2023/07/irs-clarifies-status-of-fixed-indemnity-health-plans-claiming-big-tax-savings/
Candidate testing, employee training, improved connections for remote workers–workplace experts are anticipating big opportunities from using the latest in virtual reality technology. 
On May 17, 2023, the Texas Senate approved Senate Bill No. 14, prohibiting physicians from providing gender-affirming medical care to minors experiencing gender dysphoria (distress that results from having one’s gender identity not match one’s sex assigned at birth). The bill is expected to be signed into law by Texas Governor Greg Abbott and take effect […]
The post Texas Approves Bill Prohibiting Gender-Affirming Care for Minors appeared first on EMPLOYEE BENEFITS BLOG.
https://www.employeebenefitsblog.com/2023/07/texas-approves-bill-prohibiting-gender-affirming-care-for-minors/
Members of Congress could call for more transparency about how hospitals use their federal drug discount program savings. According to this Bloomberg Law article, a study found that the Health Resources and Services Administration’s oversight of the 340B program could be improved. McDermott Partner Emily Jane Cook said there is interest in Congress overseeing aspects […]
The post Drug Discount Plan Remains Target for Possible Legislation appeared first on EMPLOYEE BENEFITS BLOG.
https://www.employeebenefitsblog.com/2023/06/drug-discount-plan-remains-target-for-possible-legislation/
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently issued a Chief Counsel Advice memorandum to remind sponsors of health and dependent care flexible spending arrangements (FSAs) about their responsibility to adequately substantiate claims in order to receive favorable tax treatment under Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code (the Code). The IRS emphasizes that the standards for […]
The post IRS Issues Reminder that Claims Under Health and Dependent Care FSAs Must Be Substantiated appeared first on EMPLOYEE BENEFITS BLOG.
https://www.employeebenefitsblog.com/2023/06/irs-issues-reminder-that-claims-under-health-and-dependent-care-fsas-must-be-substantiated/
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently unveiled plans to toughen its hospital price transparency enforcement. According to this InsideHealthPolicy article, these proposals include earlier and automatic civil penalties, eliminating warning notices for hospitals that have not attempted to comply with price transparency requirements and giving hospitals no more than 45 days to implement […]
The post CMS Ups Hospital Price Transparency Enforcement, Seeks More Authority from Congress appeared first on EMPLOYEE BENEFITS BLOG.
https://www.employeebenefitsblog.com/2023/05/cms-ups-hospital-price-transparency-enforcement-seeks-more-authority-from-congress/
The end of the COVID-19 public health emergency also means the end of coverage of self-administered, over-the-counter COVID tests. In this MedTech Dive opinion article, McDermott+Consulting’s Amy Kelbick and Eric Zimmerman argue that insurers, including Medicare, should continue to cover COVID tests at no cost and without requiring a prescription even after the public health […]
The post Ending Free COVID Tests Risks Worsening the Pandemic appeared first on EMPLOYEE BENEFITS BLOG.
https://www.employeebenefitsblog.com/2023/05/ending-free-covid-tests-risks-worsening-the-pandemic/
The US Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Treasury (the Departments) have released a series of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) in response to Braidwood Mgmt. Inc. v. Becerra, a recent case that invalidated a portion of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) preventive services mandate. The FAQs aim to address inquiries from stakeholders, […]
The post Tri-Agencies Address Preventive Services Coverage in the Wake of Braidwood appeared first on EMPLOYEE BENEFITS BLOG.
https://www.employeebenefitsblog.com/2023/05/tri-agencies-address-preventive-services-coverage-in-the-wake-of-braidwood/