In our Q1 2021 Newsletter, we provide an overview of the employee benefits changes and developments that emerged in the 2020-21 transition, including ARPA and the CAA, and provide a look ahead in 2021. Read the newsletter here: ow.ly/Ph3y50Eetqp

The Department of Labor released initial guidance implementing the 100% COBRA continuation coverage subsidy provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Read our summary of the guidance on the Benefits BCLP blog: ow.ly/PGlt50EnMgT

The Biden Administration announced expanded COVID-19 testing coverage requirements for health plans effective January 15. Read our summary here: ow.ly/NaJQ50Hv1za

Considering providing abortion-related travel benefits to employees? Consider the impact of anticipated anti-abortion laws seeking to impose civil and criminal penalties on any party assisting a resident in obtaining abortion-related services. bclplaw.com/en-US/insights…

With a recent release from the Internal Revenue Service, we now have 2023 cost-of-living adjusted amounts for qualified and welfare plans. We summarized the amounts, including prior years, in a single chart on the Benefits BCLP blog. bclplaw.com/en-US/insights…

CMS issued initial guidance for the Inflation Reduction Act's Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program in the first year of applicability (2026). Public comments may be provided by April 14, 2023. ow.ly/aFvo50NkqtB

President Biden vetoed the Congressional Resolution blocking the DOL's rule to permit retirement plan fiduciaries to consider, among other factors, the economic effects of climate change and environmental, social, or governance factors of an investment. ow.ly/MusP50Nn5ES

The DOL issued ACA Implementation FAQs Part 59 in response to a recent court decision vacating the ACA's requirement to cover USPSTF "A" or "B" recommendations made on or after March 23, 2010. buff.ly/3KAiSSG

The DOL issued FAB No. 2023-01, providing guidance on annual funding notice requirements for plan administrators of multiemployer defined benefit plans that received special financial assistance under the American Rescue Plan Act. buff.ly/3NcamvR

IRS Chief Counsel Memorandum 202317020 provides guidance on the substantation requirements for reimbursements of medical and dependent care expenses under cafeteria plans. Read it here: buff.ly/3LnOgE9

The Department of the Treasury and IRS are inviting recommendations for items to include in the 2023-2024 Priority Guidance Plan, which will identify and prioritize guidance projects for the period 7/1/23 to 6/30/24. Recommendations are due 6/9/23. buff.ly/3Bf6tis

The Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service released the 3rd quarter update to the 2022-2023 Priority Guidance Plan, which reflects 20 guidance projects published or released from October 1, 2022, through March 31, 2023. buff.ly/3HVXbvK

The HHS 405(d) Program released a cyber security hygiene poster that provides tips to protect against the top five cyber security threats facing the healthcare industry: buff.ly/3WUdqQ1

The DOL, HHS, and the Treasury published ACA FAQs Part 60 to provide guidance on the interaction of the No Surprises Act and the ACA. buff.ly/3D4yWIW

DOL, HHS, and the Treasury published ACA FAQs Part 61, providing guidance on the case-by-case enforcement approach to the Transparency in Coverage final rules: buff.ly/3RGPGOQ

Treasury, Labor, and HHS issued a request for information related to coverage of OTC preventive products by health insurance issuers and plans without cost-sharing. Comments are due by 5 pm ET on 12/4/23. buff.ly/3M0nkLM

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation released premium rates for plan years beginning in 2024: pbgc.gov/prac/prem/prem…

The DOL's Employee Benefits Security Administration published the agenda for the two-day, online hearing for the proposed Retirement Security Rule: Definition of an Investment Advice Fiduciary. The hearing will be held December 12 & 13. buff.ly/3TzfnCb

The IRS published the 2023 Cumulative List of Changes in Plan Qualification Requirements for Defined Contribution Qualified Pre-approved Plans. buff.ly/3TBcel4

The IRS issued Notice 2024-2, which provides Q&A guidance on the implementation of certain provisions of the SECURE 2.0 Act. buff.ly/3v8svE1