09/10/2021

IRS Reminder: Cost of home testing for COVID-19 is eligible medical expense; reimbursable under FSAs, HSAs

IR-2021-181, September 10, 2021

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers today that the cost of home testing for COVID-19 is an eligible medical expense that can be paid or reimbursed under health flexible spending arrangements (health FSAs), health savings accounts (HSAs), health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs), or Archer medical savings accounts (Archer MSAs). That is because the cost to diagnose COVID-19 is an eligible medical expense for tax purposes.

The IRS also reminds taxpayers that the costs of personal protective equipment, such as masks, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes, for the primary purpose of preventing the spread of COVID-19 are eligible medical expenses that can be paid or reimbursed under health FSAs, HSAs, HRAs, or Archer MSAs. Additional information is available on IRS.gov.

For more information regarding details and requirements on deductibility of medical expenses, taxpayers can review Can I Deduct My Medical and Dental Expenses? and Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses.


08/23/2021

Compliance Overview: Medicare Part D Creditable Coverage Disclosure Notices

 

 

 

 

Compliance Overview

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Medicare Part D: Creditable Coverage Disclosure Notices

 

Employers with group health plans that provide prescription drug coverage to individuals who are eligible for Medicare Part D must comply with certain disclosure requirements.

 

Group health plan sponsors must disclose to individuals who are eligible for Medicare Part D and to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) whether their prescription drug coverage is at least as good as the Medicare Part D coverage (in other words, whether their prescription drug coverage is “creditable”). These disclosures must be provided on an annual basis and at certain other designated times.

 

There are no specific penalties for employers that fail to comply with the Medicare Part D disclosure requirements, except for employers that are claiming the Retiree Drug Subsidy. However, by not providing creditable coverage disclosure notices, employers may trigger adverse employee relations issues.

 

Links and Resources

 

CMS’ creditable coverage webpage includes information and resources regarding the Medicare Part D disclosure requirements, including:

 

 

Disclosure to Individuals

 

Plan sponsors must provide creditable coverage disclosure notices to individuals each year before Oct. 15—the start date of the annual enrollment period for Medicare Part D.

The disclosure notice alerts individuals as to whether their plan’s prescription drug coverage is creditable.

Model notices are available for employers to use.

 

Disclosure to CMS

 

The disclosure to CMS is due within 60 days after the start of each plan year.

For calendar year plans, this deadline is March 1 of each year (Feb. 29 for leap years).

Plan sponsors are required to use CMS’ online disclosure form.

 

Disclosure to Individuals

 

Medicare Part D Enrollment

 

In order for Medicare Part D eligible individuals to make informed and timely enrollment decisions, group health plan sponsors must disclose the status (creditable or non-creditable) of the plan’s prescription drug coverage. If an individual’s enrollment in Part D is to be considered timely, the individual must enroll before the end of his or her Initial Enrollment Period.

 

The Initial Enrollment Period for Part D is concurrent with the individual’s Initial Enrollment Period for Medicare Part B. The Initial Enrollment Period is seven months long. It includes the month in which an individual first meets the eligibility requirements for Medicare Parts A and B, as well as the three months before and after the month of first eligibility.

 

In general, after the Initial Enrollment Period, the individual may only enroll in a Part D plan during the Annual Coordinated Election Period or under certain circumstances that would qualify the individual for a special enrollment period. The Annual Coordinated Election Period begins on Oct. 15 and goes through Dec. 7 of each year.

 

An eligible individual who fails to enroll in Medicare Part D during the Initial Enrollment Period must maintain “creditable coverage” or pay a late enrollment penalty. The late enrollment penalty will be imposed after a break in creditable coverage that lasts for a period of 63 days or longer (after the Initial Enrollment Period) and will apply for as long as the individual remains enrolled in Part D.

 

Thus, the disclosure notice is essential to an individual’s decision regarding whether to enroll in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.

 

Providing the Disclosure Notice

 

Disclosure notices must be provided to all Part D eligible individuals who are covered under, or who apply for, the plan’s prescription drug coverage, regardless of whether the prescription drug coverage is primary or secondary to Medicare Part D. The disclosure notice requirement applies to Medicare beneficiaries who are active or retired employees, disabled or on COBRA, as well as Medicare beneficiaries who are covered as a spouse or a dependent.

 

An individual is eligible for Medicare Part D if he or she:

 

Is entitled to Medicare Part A and/or enrolled in Part B as of the effective date of coverage under the Part D plan; and

Resides in the service area of a prescription drug plan or Medicare Advantage plan that provides prescription drug coverage.

 

To simplify plan administration, plan sponsors often decide to provide the disclosure notice to all plan participants.

 

Content of Disclosures

 

CMS has provided model disclosure notices for plan sponsors to use when disclosing their creditable coverage status to Medicare beneficiaries. The model disclosure notices are available on CMS’ website. Plan sponsors are not required to use the CMS model disclosure notices. If a plan sponsor does not use the CMS model disclosure notices, its notices must meet the content standards described below.

 

Content of Creditable Coverage Disclosure Notices

 

When the prescription drug coverage offered by a plan sponsor is creditable, the disclosure notice must contain the following information:

 

A statement that the plan sponsor has determined that its prescription drug coverage is creditable;

An explanation of creditable coverage (that the amount the plan expects to pay, on average, for prescription drugs for individuals covered by the plan in the applicable year is the same or more than what standard Medicare prescription drug coverage would be expected to pay, on average); and

An explanation of why creditable coverage is important and advice that, even though coverage is creditable, an individual could be subject to higher Part D premiums if the individual subsequently has a break in creditable coverage of 63 continuous days or longer before enrolling in a Part D plan.

 

CMS also recommends that the following additional content be included in the creditable coverage disclosure notice:

 

A description of the beneficiary’s right to a notice (when a beneficiary can expect to receive a notice and when a beneficiary can request a copy of the notice).

An explanation of the option(s) available to beneficiaries when the Medicare Part D benefit becomes available, including, for example:

Individuals can retain their existing coverage and choose not to enroll in a Part D plan;

Individuals can enroll in a Part D plan as a supplement to, or in lieu of, the other coverage; or

Individuals cannot have both a Medigap prescription drug policy and a Part D plan.

An explanation of whether the covered individuals will still be able to receive all of their current health coverage if they choose to enroll in Medicare Part D.

A description of the circumstances (if any) under which an individual could get prescription drug coverage back if the individual drops the current coverage and enrolls in Medicare Part D. (For Medigap insurers, a clarification that the individual cannot get his/her prescription drug coverage back under such circumstances.)

Information about receiving financial assistance for Medicare Part D, including the contact information for the Social Security Administration.

 

Content of Non-creditable Coverage Disclosure Notices

 

When the prescription drug coverage offered by a plan sponsor is determined to be non-creditable, the disclosure notice must contain the following information:

 

Statement that the entity has determined that its prescription drug coverage is not creditable;

Explanation of non-creditable coverage (that the amount the plan expects to pay, on average, for prescription drugs for individuals covered by the plan in the applicable year is less than what standard Medicare prescription drug coverage would be expected to pay, on average);

Explanation that, in general, an individual may only enroll in a Part D plan from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7 of each year; and

Clarification of the importance of creditable coverage, and that the individual may be subject to higher Part D premiums if the individual fails to enroll in a Part D plan when first eligible.

 

CMS also recommends that the non-creditable coverage disclosure notice include the additional content outlined above for creditable coverage disclosure notices (for example, a description of the beneficiary’s right to a notice and an explanation of the options available to beneficiaries when Medicare Part D becomes available).

 

Personalized Disclosure Notices/Statements

 

CMS recommends that entities complete the personalized box on the model disclosure notices if an individual requests a copy of a disclosure notice. Individuals may submit a copy of a personalized disclosure notice as proof of prior creditable coverage when enrolling in a Part D plan. If the plan sponsor chooses not to use the model disclosure notices, the sponsor can provide a personalized statement of creditable coverage which contains all of the following elements:

 

Individual’s first and last name;

Individual’s date of birth or unique member identification number;

Entity name and contact information;

Statement that the entity determined that its plan is creditable or non-creditable coverage; and

The date ranges of creditable coverage.

 

Form and Manner of Delivering Disclosure Notices

 

Plan sponsors have flexibility in the form and manner of their disclosure notices. Disclosure notices do not need to be sent in a separate mailing. Disclosure notices may be sent with other plan participant information materials (for example, enrollment and/or renewal materials). If a disclosure notice is incorporated with other participant information, it must meet specific requirements for being prominent and conspicuous within the materials.

 

As a general rule, a single disclosure notice may be provided to the covered Medicare beneficiary and all of his or her Medicare eligible dependent(s) covered under the same plan. However, if it is known that any spouse or dependent that is Medicare eligible lives at a different address than where the participant materials were mailed, a separate notice must be provided to the Medicare eligible spouse or dependent residing at a different address.

 

Disclosure notices may be provided through electronic means only if the plan sponsor follows the requirements set forth in Department of Labor regulations addressing electronic delivery.

 

Timing of Disclosure Notices

 

At a minimum, disclosure notices must be provided at the following times:

 

1

Prior to the Medicare Part D annual coordinated election period—beginning Oct. 15 through Dec. 7 of each year

2

Prior to an individual’s initial enrollment period for Part D

3

Prior to the effective date of coverage for any Medicare-eligible individual who joins the plan

4

Whenever prescription drug coverage ends or changes so that it is no longer creditable or becomes creditable

5

Upon a beneficiary’s request

 

If the creditable coverage disclosure notice is provided to all plan participants annually, before Oct. 15 of each year, items (1) and (2) above will be satisfied. “Prior to,” as used above, means the individual must have been provided with the notice within the past 12 months. In addition to providing the notice each year before Oct. 15, plan sponsors should consider including the notice in plan enrollment materials provided to new hires.

 

Disclosure to CMS

 

Plan sponsors are also required to disclose to CMS whether their prescription drug coverage is creditable or non-creditable. The disclosure must be made to CMS on an annual basis, or upon any change that affects whether the coverage is creditable. More specifically, the Medicare Part D disclosure notice must be provided within the following time frames:

 

Within 60 days after the beginning date of the plan year for which the entity is providing the disclosure to CMS;

Within 30 days after the termination of a plan’s prescription drug coverage; and

Within 30 days after any change in the plan’s creditable coverage status.

 

CMS has released additional guidance for making such disclosures (such as timing, format and model language). Plan sponsors are required to provide the disclosure notice to CMS through completion of the disclosure form on the CMS Creditable Coverage webpage. This is the sole method for compliance with the CMS disclosure requirement, unless a specific exception applies.

 

Creditable Coverage

 

A group health plan’s prescription drug coverage is considered creditable if its actuarial value equals or exceeds the actuarial value of standard Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. In general, this actuarial determination measures whether the expected amount of paid claims under the group health plan’s prescription drug coverage is at least as much as the expected amount of paid claims under the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit.

 

The determination of creditable coverage does not require an attestation by a qualified actuary, except when the plan sponsor is electing the retiree drug subsidy for the group health plan. However, employers may want to consult with an actuary to make sure that their determinations are accurate.

 

For plans that have multiple benefit options (for example, PPO, HDHP and HMO), the creditable coverage test must be applied separately for each benefit option.

 

There are two permissible methods to determine whether coverage is creditable for purposes of Medicare Part D—a simplified determination method and an actuarial determination method.

 

Simplified Determination

 

If a plan sponsor is not applying for the retiree drug subsidy, the sponsor may be eligible to use a simplified determination that its prescription drug coverage is creditable. The standards for the simplified determination, which are described below, vary based on whether the employer’s prescription drug coverage is “integrated” with other types of benefits (such as medical benefits).

 

A prescription drug plan is deemed to be creditable if it:

 

Provides coverage for brand-name and generic prescriptions;

Provides reasonable access to retail providers;

Is designed to pay on average at least 60 percent of participants’ prescription drug expenses; and

Satisfies at least one of the following:

The prescription drug coverage has no maximum annual benefit or a maximum annual benefit payable by the plan of at least $25,000;

The prescription drug coverage has an actuarial expectation that the amount payable by the plan will be at least $2,000 annually per Medicare-eligible individual; or

For entities that have integrated health coverage, the integrated health plan has no more than a $250 deductible per year, has no annual benefit maximum or a maximum annual benefit payable by the plan of at least $25,000 and has no less than a $1 million lifetime combined benefit maximum.

 

*The Affordable Care Act (ACA) prohibits health plans from imposing lifetime and annual limits on the dollar value of essential health benefits.

 

An integrated plan is a plan where the prescription drug benefit is combined with other coverage offered by the entity (for example, medical, dental or vision) and the plan has all of the following plan provisions:

 

A combined plan year deductible for all benefits under the plan;

A combined annual benefit maximum for all benefits under the plan; and

A combined lifetime benefit maximum for all benefits under the plan.

 

A prescription drug plan that meets the above parameters is considered an integrated plan for the purpose of using the simplified method and would have to meet Steps 1, 2, 3 and 4(c) of the simplified method. If it does not meet all of the criteria, then it is not considered to be an integrated plan and would have to meet Steps 1, 2, 3 and either 4(a) or 4(b).

 

Actuarial Determination

 

If a plan sponsor cannot use the simplified determination method to determine the creditable coverage status of the prescription drug coverage offered to Medicare eligible individuals, then the sponsor must make an actuarial determination annually of whether the expected amount of paid claims under the entity’s prescription drug coverage is at least as much as the expected amount of paid claims under the standard Medicare prescription drug benefit. This determination involves the same standard as the first prong of the “gross value” test for the retiree drug subsidy.

 

CMS has issued guidance that addresses the extent to which account-based arrangements, such as health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs), may be considered in the creditable coverage determination. In general, this guidance provides that the HRA annual contribution may be taken into consideration when determining creditable coverage status. Existing funds in the HRA that have rolled over from prior years are not taken into account. Also, for HRAs that pay both prescription drugs and other medical costs, a portion of the year’s contribution should be reasonably allocated to prescription drugs.

 

Enforcement

 

In general, CMS does not have the authority to impose direct penalties or other sanctions in the event that an employer fails to provide the required creditable coverage disclosure notices. However, employers who are also claiming the Retiree Drug Subsidy will not qualify for the subsidy unless they provide the disclosure notices. Other federal laws (such as ERISA’s fiduciary duty provisions) may indirectly provide consequences to a noncompliant employer. Also, failing to comply with these requirements may have a negative impact on employee relations, especially if an individual later incurs a late enrollment penalty because he or she was unaware that their prescription drug coverage through the employer was not creditable.

 

 

This Compliance Overview is not intended to be exhaustive nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as legal advice. Readers should contact legal counsel for legal advice. ©2005-2007, 2009-2011, 2013-2017, 2019 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.

 


08/03/2021

Why Starting Open Enrollment Early In 2021 Is More Important Than Ever

The COVID-19 pandemic shook the job market in ways never before seen. For one, it created so much uncertainty that employees who would’ve typically searched for a new job last year decided to stay put. For another, the pandemic prompted workers to take stock of their circumstances and consider what workplace perks matter most to them.
 
Due to these reasons and others, experts predict a “turnover tsunami” in the latter half of 2021, as workers no longer feel the need to cling to their current employers.
 
Reports suggest that employees who put off job searches during the pandemic are likely to resume them in earnest this fall. That’s because, among other reasons, workers are now more financially secure than they were a year ago and are willing to leave their employers for more favorable arrangements.
 
Employers should recognize that they have a massive opportunity if they begin open enrollment efforts early in 2021. Revamping benefit offerings can help demonstrate to employees they are valued and convince top performers who may be seeking a new job to remain.
 

Tailoring Benefits Options

 
Employee benefits can be powerful retention tools. However, that’s only true if employees see value in the offerings. That’s why employers need to tailor their benefits options to include perks that employees are looking for.
 
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the perks employees want may not typically be offered by many employers. These include benefits or arrangements that began out of necessity due to the pandemic, such as telecommuting. Now, many employees expect at least some of these benefits to become permanent.
 
According to various surveys and reports, the following are some of the top benefits employees are looking for right now:
 
  • Telecommuting
  • Flexible or hybrid scheduling
  • Greater compensation
  • Mental health resources
  • Caregiving benefits
  • Developmental opportunities
 
Employers should keep in mind that nearly 50% of employees are willing to change jobs for benefits that matter to them, such as hybrid working arrangements. That’s why it’s critical for employers to seriously consider speaking with employees about which perks provide the most value for their unique circumstances. Adding or tweaking a few benefits options may be enough to retain some workers.
 
Moreover, gaining employee feedback ahead of enrollment shows a meaningful interest in employee concerns. It can go a long way to proactively retaining employees by showing them that their quality of life matters.
 
 

Determining Key Messaging

 
After solidifying benefits options, employers need to plan their communication strategies. This plan includes figuring out key messaging. In 2021, that messaging should focus on new or updated benefits offerings as a way to incentivize employees to stay.
 
By putting benefits front and center, employees will be forced to weigh the advantages of searching for a new job against guaranteed perks. Employers should detail their offerings so employees understand everything they would potentially be losing by changing jobs. Touching on these details is particularly important considering that 1 out of 3 workers don’t understand the benefits they elected during open enrollment—meaning some employees may be job hunting for perks to which they already have access.
 
 
 

Getting the Word Out

 
Ultimately, employers will need to spread the word about their open enrollment and available benefits. Countless surveys show that employees want more help understanding their options. This means an open enrollment communication plan needs to start early, provide ample educational resources and have multiple channels.
 
A quality open enrollment communication strategy may include the following components:
 
  • Group meetings to discuss available benefits
  • One-on-one meetings to go over any questions
  • Multichannel communication methods, such as videos, printouts, guides, presentations, emails and comprehensive guides
  • Periodic enrollment reminders, including enrollment dates and workplace-specific instructions
  • Messaging that directs employees to designated points of contact for questions (e.g., HR)
 
Again, it’s important for employers to start open enrollment communication early. Not only does it provide employees with more time to understand their benefits, but it can also help retain employees who may be on the fence about changing jobs.
 
 
 

Conclusion

 
By showcasing all the perks that employees have available to them, employers can head off the expected “turnover tsunami” this fall.
 
 

07/19/2021

The Impact of Biden’s Competition Executive Order on the Health Care Industry

The American economy is finally recovering after more than a year of stagnation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. President Joe Biden’s administration wants to continue this momentum and further stimulate the economy. To help in that effort, President Biden recently signed an executive order aimed at increasing competition among businesses.
 
According to the White House, the order was designed to “promote competition in the American economy, which will lower prices for families, increase wages for workers, and promote innovation and even faster economic growth.”
 
The Biden administration notes that corporate consolidation has been accelerating for many years, leaving the majority of industries in the hands of only a few entities. The administration points to this trend as the main reason for slow wage growth and rising consumer prices. This latest executive order intends to reverse these effects.
 
All in all, the executive order includes 72 initiatives by more than a dozen federal agencies to help address competition inequality. This article briefly outlines how the order affects the health care industry.
 
 
 

Health Care Impact

 
The executive order addresses competition in health care in four main areas:
 
  1. Prescription drugs
  2. Hearing aids
  3. Hospitals
  4. Health insurance
 

Prescription Drugs

 
Right now, large drug manufacturers enjoy incredible profits year over year. The White House alleges that this is due to lack of competition and “pay for delay” tactics, where name-brand drug manufacturers pay generic manufacturers to stay out of the market. Such strategies result in Americans paying 2.5 times more for the same medications as peer countries.
 
The executive order directs the Food and Drug Administration to work with states and tribes to safely import prescription drugs from Canada, where drugs are less expensive. It also directs the Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration to increase support for generic and biosimilar drugs. Additionally, the order encourages the FTC to ban “pay for delay” and similar agreements.
 

Hearing Aids

 
Currently, the White House points out, only 14% of Americans with hearing loss use hearing aids. The administration says it’s due to high prices, costing more than $5,000 per pair (typically not covered by insurance). Additionally, hearing aids can only be obtained after a medical analysis by a doctor or specialist—an unnecessary requirement, according to the Biden administration.
 
The executive order directs the HHS to consider issuing proposed rules within 120 days for allowing hearing aids to be sold over the counter.
 

Hospitals

 
Hospitals have been consolidating through mergers for years, resulting in higher prices and fewer rural locations. The White House notes that consolidated hospitals charge far higher prices than hospitals in markets with more competition.
 
The executive order directs the FTC to review and revise its merger guidelines to ensure hospital mergers do not harm patients. Additionally, the order directs the HHS to support existing hospital price transparency rules and finish implementing bipartisan federal legislation to address surprise hospital billing.
 

Health Insurance

 
Consolidation is also an issue in the health insurance sector, according to the Biden administration. Fewer insurance companies mean fewer options for consumers. Even when there are more options, comparing plans continues to be a struggle for many individuals.
 
The executive order directs the HHS to standardize plan options in the National Health Insurance Marketplace so people can comparison shop more easily.
 
 
 

Summary

 
The executive order broadly addresses competition inequalities across market sectors, with a significant focus on health care. These proposed initiatives have the potential to help individuals and small businesses alike. However, it remains to be seen how all of these initiatives will play out, as executive orders are essentially a directive to federal agencies to revise their regulations.
 
In other words, some of the proposals may never come to fruition, and those that do may take months to implement. At the very least, this executive order and its initiatives indicate the position of the Biden administration—signaling that it may pursue these agenda items through alternative means, if necessary.
 
Employers should continue to monitor exactly how the executive order plays out.

07/06/2021

What You Need to Know About the Biden-Harris Administration’s Actions to Prevent Surprise Billing

 
 
 
On July 1, 2021, the Biden-Harris Administration, through the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and the Treasury, as well as the Office of Personnel Management, issued “Requirements Related to Surprise Billing; Part I,” an interim final rule with comment period that will restrict surprise billing for patients in job-based and individual health plans and who get emergency care, non-emergency care from out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, and air ambulance services from out-of-network providers.
 
This first rule implements several important requirements for group health plans, group and individual health insurance issuers, carriers under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program, health care providers and facilities, and providers of air ambulance services.
 
What is a surprise medical bill?
 
When a person with a group health plan or health insurance coverage gets care from an out-of-network provider, their health plan or issuer usually does not cover the entire out-of-network cost, leaving them with higher costs than if they had been seen by an in-network provider. In many cases, the out-of-network provider can bill the person for the difference between the billed charge and the amount paid by their plan or insurance, unless prohibited by state law. This is known as “balance billing.” An unexpected balance bill is called a surprise bill.
 
This rule protects patients from surprise bills under certain circumstances.
 
Who will benefit from this rule?
 
These surprise billing protections apply to you if you get your coverage through your employer (including a federal, state or local government) or through the federal Marketplaces, state-based Marketplaces or directly through an individual market health insurance issuer.
 
The rule does not apply to people with coverage through programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, Indian Health Services, Veterans Affairs Health Care or TRICARE. These programs already prohibit balance billing.
 
Who is affected by surprise bills?
 
Surprise medical bills and balance bills affect many Americans, particularly when people with health insurance unknowingly get medical care from a provider or facility outside their health plan’s network. This can be very common in emergency situations, where people usually go (or are taken) to the nearest emergency department without considering their health plan’s network.
 
An in-network hospital still might have out-of-network providers, and patients in emergency situations may have little or no choice when it comes to who provides their care.
 
For non-emergency care, an individual might choose an in-network facility or an in-network provider but not know that a provider involved in their care (for example, an anesthesiologist or radiologist) is an out-of-network provider.
 
How does this rule help?
 
If your health plan provides or covers any benefits for emergency services, this rule requires emergency services to be covered:
 
  • Without any prior authorization (meaning you do not need to get approval beforehand)
  • Regardless of whether a provider or facility is in-network
 
This rule also protects people from excessive out-of-pocket costs by limiting cost sharing for out-of-network services to in-network levels, requiring cost sharing for these services to count toward any in-network deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums, and prohibiting balance billing under certain circumstances. Cost sharing is what you pay out of your own pocket when you have insurance, such as deductibles, coinsurance and copayments when you get medical care.
 
The protections in this rule apply to most emergency services, air ambulance services from out-of-network providers and non-emergency care from out-of-network providers at certain in-network facilities, including in-network hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers.
 
Additionally, this rule requires certain health care providers and facilities to furnish patients with a one-page notice on:
 
  • The requirements and prohibitions applicable to the provider or facility regarding balance billing
  • Any applicable state balance billing prohibitions or limitations
  • How to contact appropriate state and federal agencies if the patient believes the provider or facility has violated the requirements described in the notice
 
This information must be publicly available from the provider or facility, too.
 
When does the rule take effect?
 
Consumer protections in the rule will take effect beginning on Jan. 1, 2022.
 
The regulations are generally applicable to group health plans and health insurance issuers for plan years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2022, and to FEHB program carriers for contract years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2022. They are applicable to providers and facilities beginning on Jan. 1, 2022.
 

06/17/2021

Supreme Court Rejects Challenge to ACA’s Individual Mandate

Highlights:

  • – A number of states filed a lawsuit challenging the validity of the ACA following the elimination of the individual mandate penalty.
  • – The Supreme Court ruled that the states did not have a legal right to sue in this instance.
  • – The Court did not make a determination on the validity of the individual mandate or the ACA as a whole.
  • – This case is now concluded.

On June 17, 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) individual mandate in a 7-2 ruling.

This lawsuit was filed in 2018 by 18 states as a result of the 2017 tax reform law that eliminates the individual mandate penalty. In 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the ACA on the basis that the individual mandate is a valid tax. With the penalty’s elimination, the appeals court, in this case, determined that the individual mandate is no longer valid under the U.S. Constitution.

Supreme Court’s Ruling

The Supreme Court determined that the plaintiffs, in this case, did not have standing to sue, meaning that they have not shown that they suffered any injury as a result of the elimination of the individual mandate penalty and, therefore, do not have a legal right to sue. As a result, the ACA as it exists today will remain in place.

According to the Court, allowing a lawsuit “attack[ing] an unenforceable statutory provision [to continue] would allow a federal court to issue what would amount to ‘an advisory opinion without the possibility of any judicial relief.'”

The Court did not make any determinations on any other issue in the case, including the validity of the individual mandate or whether the rest of the ACA can be severed from the individual mandate provision.  However, this case is now concluded and the ACA will remain in place.


06/03/2021

The Future is Flexible (Infographic)


06/01/2021

EEOC Issues New FAQs on COVID-19 Vaccine Programs & Incentives

Highlights:

The EEOC’s new FAQs clarify, among other things, that employers may:

  • – Require employees who will be physically entering the workplace to be vaccinated, as long as certain requirements are met;
  • – Offer to provide vaccinations to employees on a voluntary basis;
  • – Offer incentives for employees to receive COVID-19 vaccinations, as long as the incentives are not coercive;
  • – Offer to provide vaccinations to employees’ family members on a voluntary basis (but may not require or provide incentives for family members’ vaccinations).

Mandatory Vaccines and Reasonable Accommodations

Employers with mandatory vaccination programs must provide reasonable accommodations for individuals who refuse the vaccine due to disability, pregnancy or religion.

On May 28, 2021, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) added new answers to frequently asked questions(FAQs) to its existing guidance on how employers should comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) while also observing all applicable emergency workplace safety guidelines during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The agency also updated five of the FAQs from the existing guidance.  The new and updated FAQs clarify the types of programs employers may have to help ensure that their employees receive COVID-19 vaccinations. They also address the extent to which employers may require or provide incentives for employees or employees’ family members to receive vaccines. The new FAQs also provide expanded guidance on the types of information employers may request or require as part of their workplace vaccination policies and programs.

This HR Compliance Bulletin contains only the FAQs that were added or updated on May 28, 2021. Employers that are subject to the ADA should not only become familiar with these FAQs, but also review the EEOC’s full guidance, which was initially issued on March 18 and updated several times in 2020.

Action Steps

All employers should follow the most current guidelines and suggestions for maintaining workplace safety, as issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and any applicable state or local health agencies. Employers with 15 or more employees should also become familiar with and follow the guidance provided in all of the EEOC’s FAQs about ADA compliance. These and all smaller employers should ensure that they comply with state and local anti-discrimination laws as well. 

K. Vaccinations – As updated May 28, 2021

The availability of COVID-19 vaccinations raises questions under the federal equal employment opportunity (EEO) laws, including the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, as amended by the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (Title VII). 

This section was originally issued on Dec. 16, 2020, and was clarified and supplemented on May 28, 2021. The May 2021 updates are consistent in substance with the original technical assistance and also address new subjects. (For example, see discussion of vaccine incentives under the ADA starting at K.16 and under GINA starting at K.18). On May 13, 2021, the CDC issued updated guidance for fully vaccinated individuals, exempting them from masking requirements “except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.” The EEOC is considering the impact of this CDC guidance on EEOC’s COVID-19 technical assistance provided to date. 

The EEOC has received many inquiries from employers and employees about the type of authorization granted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the administration of three COVID-19 vaccines. These three vaccines were granted Emergency Use Authorizations (EUA) by the FDA. It is beyond the EEOC’s jurisdiction to discuss the legal implications of EUA or the FDA approach. Individuals seeking more information about the legal implications of EUA or the FDA approach to vaccines can visit the FDA’s EUA page. The EEOC’s jurisdiction is limited to the federal EEO laws as noted above.

Indeed, other federal, state and local laws and regulations govern COVID-19 vaccination of employees, including requirements for the federal government as an employer. The federal government as an employer is subject to the EEO laws. Federal departments and agencies should consult the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force for additional guidance on agency operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The EEOC questions and answers provided here only set forth applicable EEO legal standards, unless another source is expressly cited. Whether an employer meets the EEO standards will depend on the application of these standards to particular factual situations.

The technical assistance on vaccinations below was written to help employees and employers better understand how federal workplace discrimination laws apply during the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and its variants. The technical assistance here is based on and consistent with the federal civil rights laws enforced by the EEOC and with EEOC regulations, guidance and technical assistance. Analysis of how it applies in any specific instance should be conducted on an individualized basis.

COVID-19 Vaccinations: EEOC Overview

K.1. (Added May 28, 2021) Under the ADA, Title VII, and other federal employment nondiscrimination laws, may an employer require all employees physically entering the workplace to be vaccinated for COVID-19? 

The federal EEO laws do not prevent an employer from requiring all employees physically entering the workplace to be vaccinated for COVID-19, subject to the reasonable accommodation provisions of Title VII and the ADA and other EEO considerations discussed below. These principles apply if an employee gets the vaccine in the community or from the employer.  

In some circumstances, Title VII and the ADA require an employer to provide reasonable accommodations for employees who, because of a disability or a sincerely held religious belief, practice or observance, do not get vaccinated for COVID-19, unless providing an accommodation would pose an undue hardship on the operation of the employer’s business. The analysis for undue hardship depends on whether the accommodation is for a disability (including pregnancy-related conditions that constitute a disability) (see K.6) or for religion (see K.12). 

As with any employment policy, employers that have a vaccine requirement may need to respond to allegations that the requirement has a disparate impact on—or disproportionately excludes—employees based on their race, color, religion, sex or national origin under Title VII (or age under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (40+)). Employers should keep in mind that because some individuals or demographic groups may face greater barriers to receiving a COVID-19 vaccination than others, some employees may be more likely to be negatively impacted by a vaccination requirement.

It would also be unlawful to apply a vaccination requirement to employees in a way that treats employees differently based on disability, race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, age or genetic information, unless there is a legitimate non-discriminatory reason.

K.2. (Added May 28, 2021) What are some examples of reasonable accommodations or modifications that employers may have to provide to employees who do not get vaccinated due to disability; religious beliefs, practices, or observance; or pregnancy?

An employee who does not get vaccinated due to a disability (covered by the ADA) or a sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance (covered by Title VII) may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation that does not pose an undue hardship on the operation of the employer’s business. For example, as a reasonable accommodation, an unvaccinated employee entering the workplace might wear a face mask, work at a social distance from coworkers or non-employees, work a modified shift, get periodic tests for COVID-19, be given the opportunity to telework, or finally, accept a reassignment. 

Employees who are not vaccinated because of pregnancy may be entitled (under Title VII) to adjustments to keep working, if the employer makes modifications or exceptions for other employees. These modifications may be the same as the accommodations made for an employee based on disability or religion.

K.3. (Added May 28, 2021) How can employers encourage employees and their family members to be vaccinated without violating the EEO laws, especially the ADA and GINA?

Employers may provide employees and their family members with information to educate them about COVID-19 vaccines, raise awareness about the benefits of vaccination, and address common questions and concerns. Also, under certain circumstances employers may offer incentives to employees who receive COVID-19 vaccines, as discussed in K.16 – K. 21. As of May 2021, the federal government is providing vaccines at no cost to everyone ages 12 and older.

There are many resources available to employees seeking more information about how to get vaccinated:

  • – The federal government’s online vaccines.gov site can identify vaccination sites anywhere in the country (or https://www.vacunas.gov for Spanish). Individuals also can text their zip code to “GETVAX” (438829)—or “VACUNA” (822862) for Spanish—to find three vaccination locations near them.
  • CDC’s website offers a link to a listing of local health departments, which can provide more information about local vaccination efforts.
  • – In addition, the CDC offers background information for employers about workplace vaccination programs. The CDC provides a complete communication “tool kit” for employers to use with their workforce to educate people about getting the COVID-19 vaccine. (Although originally written for essential workers, it is useful for all workers.)  See CDC’s Essential Workers COVID-19 Toolkit. Employers should provide the contact information of a management representative for employees who need to request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or religious belief, practice, or observance or to ensure nondiscrimination for an employee who is pregnant.
  • – Some employees may not have reliable access to the internet to identify nearby vaccination locations or may speak no or limited English and find it difficult to make an appointment for a vaccine over the phone. The CDC operates a toll-free telephone line that can provide assistance in many languages for individuals seeking more information about vaccinations: 800-232-4636; TTY 888-232-6348. 
  • – Some employees also may require assistance with transportation to vaccination sites. Employers may gather and disseminate information to their employees on low-cost and no-cost transportation resources available in their community serving vaccination sites and offer time-off for vaccination, particularly if transportation is not readily available outside regular work hours.

General

K.4. (Added May 28, 2021) Is information about an employee’s COVID-19 vaccination confidential medical information under the ADA? 

Yes. The ADA requires an employer to maintain the confidentiality of employee medical information, such as documentation or other confirmation of COVID-19 vaccination. This ADA confidentiality requirement applies regardless of where the employee gets the vaccination.

Although the EEO laws themselves do not prevent employers from requiring employees to bring in documentation or other confirmation of vaccination, this information, like all medical information, must be kept confidential and stored separately from the employee’s personnel files under the ADA.

Mandatory Employer Vaccination Programs

K.5. (Added Dec. 16, 2020; Updated May 28, 2021) Under the ADA, may an employer require a COVID-19 vaccination for all employees entering the workplace, even though it knows that some employees may not get a vaccine because of a disability? 

Yes, provided certain requirements are met. Under the ADA, an employer may require all employees to meet a qualification standard that is job-related and consistent with business necessity, such as a safety-related standard requiring COVID-19 vaccination. However, if a particular employee cannot meet such a safety-related qualification standard because of a disability, the employer may not require compliance for that employee unless it can demonstrate that the individual would pose a “direct threat” to the health or safety of the employee or others in the workplace. A “direct threat” is a “significant risk of substantial harm” that cannot be eliminated or reduced by reasonable accommodation. This determination can be broken down into two steps: determining if there is a direct threat and, if there is, assessing whether a reasonable accommodation would reduce or eliminate the threat.To determine if an employee who is not vaccinated due to a disability poses a “direct threat” in the workplace, an employer first must make an individualized assessment of the employee’s present ability to safely perform the essential functions of the job. The factors that make up this assessment are: (1) the duration of the risk; (2) the nature and severity of the potential harm; (3) the likelihood that the potential harm will occur; and (4) the imminence of the potential harm. 

The determination that a particular employee poses a direct threat should be based on a reasonable medical judgment that relies on the most current medical knowledge about COVID-19. Such medical knowledge may include, for example, the level of community spread at the time of the assessment.  Statements from the CDC provide an important source of current medical knowledge about COVID-19, and the employee’s health care provider, with the employee’s consent, also may provide useful information about the employee.  Additionally, the assessment of direct threat should take account of the type of work environment, such as: 

  • – Whether the employee works alone or with others or works inside or outside; 
  • – The available ventilation; 
  • – The frequency and duration of direct interaction the employee typically will have with other employees and/or non-employees; 
  • – The number of partially or fully vaccinated individuals already in the workplace;
  • – Whether other employees are wearing masks or undergoing routine screening testing; and 
  • – The space available for social distancing.

If the assessment demonstrates that an employee with a disability who is not vaccinated would pose a direct threat to self or others, the employer must consider whether providing a reasonable accommodation, absent undue hardship, would reduce or eliminate that threat. Potential reasonable accommodations could include requiring the employee to wear a mask, work a staggered shift, making changes in the work environment (such as improving ventilation systems or limiting contact with other employees and non-employees), permitting telework if feasible, or reassigning the employee to a vacant position in a different workspace. 

As a best practice, an employer introducing a COVID-19 vaccination policy and requiring documentation or other confirmation of vaccination should notify all employees that the employer will consider requests for reasonable accommodation based on disability on an individualized basis. (See also K.12 recommending the same best practice for religious accommodations.)

K.6. (Added Dec. 16, 2020; Updated May 28, 2021) Under the ADA, if an employer requires COVID-19 vaccinations for employees physically entering the workplace, how should an employee who does not get a COVID-19 vaccination because of a disability inform the employer, and what should the employer do?

An employee with a disability who does not get vaccinated for COVID-19 because of a disability must let the employer know that he or she needs an exemption from the requirement or a change at work, known as a reasonable accommodation. To request an accommodation, an individual does not need to mention the ADA or use the phrase “reasonable accommodation.” 

Managers and supervisors responsible for communicating with employees about compliance with the employer’s vaccination requirement should know how to recognize an accommodation request from an employee with a disability and know to whom to refer the request for full consideration. As a best practice, before instituting a mandatory vaccination policy, employers should provide managers, supervisors and those responsible for implementing the policy with clear information about how to handle accommodation requests related to the policy.

Employers and employees typically engage in a flexible, interactive process to identify workplace accommodation options that do not impose an undue hardship (significant difficulty or expense) on the employer. This process may include determining whether it is necessary to obtain supporting medical documentation about the employee’s disability.

In discussing accommodation requests, employers and employees may find it helpful to consult the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) website as a resource for different types of accommodations. JAN’s materials about COVID-19 are available here. Employers also may consult applicable OSHA COVID-specific resources. 

Even if there is no reasonable accommodation that will allow the unvaccinated employee to be physically present to perform his or her current job without posing a direct threat, the employer must consider if telework is an option for that particular job as an accommodation and, as a last resort, whether reassignment to another position is possible. 

The ADA requires that employers offer an available accommodation if one exists that does not pose an undue hardship, meaning a significant difficulty or expense. Employers are advised to consider all the options before denying an accommodation request. The proportion of employees in the workplace who already are partially or fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and the extent of employee contact with non-employees, who may be ineligible for a vaccination or whose vaccination status may be unknown, can impact the ADA undue hardship consideration.

Employers may rely on CDC recommendations when deciding whether an effective accommodation is available that would not pose an undue hardship.

Under the ADA, it is unlawful for an employer to disclose that an employee is receiving a reasonable accommodation or to retaliate against an employee for requesting an accommodation.

K.7. (Added Dec. 16, 2020; Updated May 28, 2021) If an employer requires employees to get a COVID-19 vaccination from the employer or its agent, do the ADA’s restrictions on an employer making disability-related inquiries or medical examinations of its employees apply to any part of the vaccination process?

Yes. The ADA’s restrictions apply to the screening questions that must be asked immediately prior to administering the vaccine if the vaccine is administered by the employer or its agent. An employer’s agent is an individual or entity having the authority to act on behalf of, or at the direction of, the employer. 

The ADA generally restricts when employers may require medical examinations (procedures or tests that seek information about an individual’s physical or mental impairments or health) or make disability-related inquiries (questions that are likely to elicit information about an individual’s disability). The act of administering the vaccine is not a “medical examination” under the ADA because it does not seek information about the employee’s physical or mental health. 

However, because the pre-vaccination screening questions are likely to elicit information about a disability, the ADA requires that they must be “job related and consistent with business necessity” when an employer or its agent administers the COVID-19 vaccine. To meet this standard, an employer would need to have a reasonable belief, based on objective evidence, that an employee who does not answer the questions and, therefore, cannot be vaccinated, will pose a direct threat to the employee’s own health or safety or to the health and safety of others in the workplace. (See general discussion in K.5.) Therefore, when an employer requires that employees be vaccinated by the employer or its agent, the employer should be aware that an employee may challenge the mandatory pre-vaccination inquiries, and an employer would have to justify them under the ADA.

The ADA also requires employers to keep any employee medical information obtained in the course of an employer vaccination program confidential.

Voluntary Employer Vaccination Programs

K.8. (Added Dec. 16, 2020; Updated May 28, 2021) Under the ADA, are there circumstances in which an employer or its agent may ask disability-related screening questions before administering a COVID-19 vaccine without needing to satisfy the “job-related and consistent with business necessity” standard?

Yes. If the employer offers to vaccinate its employees on a voluntary basis, meaning that employees can choose whether or not to get the COVID-19 vaccine from the employer or its agent, the employer does not have to show that the pre-vaccination screening questions are job-related and consistent with business necessity. However, the employee’s decision to answer the questions must be voluntary. (See K.16-17.) The ADA prohibits taking an adverse action against an employee, including harassing the employee, for refusing to participate in a voluntary employer-administered vaccination program. An employer also must keep any medical information it obtains from any voluntary vaccination program confidential. 

K.9. (Added Dec. 16, 2020; Updated May 28, 2021) Under the ADA, is it a “disability-related inquiry” for an employer to inquire about or request documentation or other confirmation that an employee obtained the COVID-19 vaccine from a third party in the community, such as a pharmacy, personal health care provider or public clinic?

No. When an employer asks employees whether they obtained a COVID-19 vaccine from a third party in the community, such as a pharmacy, personal health care provider or public clinic, the employer is not asking a question that is likely to disclose the existence of a disability; there are many reasons an employee may not show documentation or other confirmation of vaccination in the community besides having a disability. Therefore, requesting documentation or other confirmation of vaccination by a third party in the community is not a disability-related inquiry under the ADA, and the ADA’s rules about such inquiries do not apply.

However, documentation or other confirmation of vaccination provided by the employee to the employer is medical information about the employee and must be kept confidential.

K.10. (Added May 28, 2021) May an employer offer voluntary vaccinations only to certain groups of employees?

If an employer or its agent offers voluntary vaccinations to employees, the employer must comply with federal employment nondiscrimination laws. For example, not offering voluntary vaccinations to certain employees based on national origin or another protected basis under the EEO laws would not be permissible.  

K.11. (Added May 28, 2021) What should an employer do if an employee who is fully vaccinated for COVID-19 requests accommodation for an underlying disability because of a continuing concern that he or she faces a heightened risk of severe illness from a COVID-19 infection, despite being vaccinated?

Employers who receive a reasonable accommodation request from an employee should process the request in accordance with applicable ADA standards. When an employee asks for a reasonable accommodation, whether the employee is fully vaccinated or not, the employer should engage in an interactive process to determine if there is a disability-related need for reasonable accommodation. 

This process typically includes seeking information from the employee’s health care provider with the employee’s consent explaining why an accommodation is needed. 

For example, some individuals who are immunocompromised might still need reasonable accommodations because their conditions may mean that the vaccines may not offer them the same measure of protection as other vaccinated individuals. If there is a disability-related need for accommodation, an employer must explore potential reasonable accommodations that may be provided absent undue hardship.

Title VII and COVID-19 Vaccinations

K.12. (Added Dec. 16, 2020; Updated May 28, 2021) Under Title VII, how should an employer respond to an employee who communicates that he or she is unable to be vaccinated for COVID-19 (or provide documentation or other confirmation of vaccination) because of a sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance?

Once an employer is on notice that an employee’s sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance prevents the employee from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, the employer must provide a reasonable accommodation unless it would pose an undue hardship. Employers also may receive religious accommodation requests from individuals who wish to wait until an alternative version or specific brand of COVID-19 vaccine is available to the employee. Such requests should be processed according to the same standards that apply to other accommodation requests.

EEOC guidance explains that the definition of religion is broad and protects beliefs, practices, and observances with which the employer may be unfamiliar. Therefore, the employer should ordinarily assume that an employee’s request for religious accommodation is based on a sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance. However, if an employee requests a religious accommodation, and an employer is aware of facts that provide an objective basis for questioning either the religious nature or the sincerity of a particular belief, practice, or observance, the employer would be justified in requesting additional supporting information.

Under Title VII, an employer should thoroughly consider all possible reasonable accommodations, including telework and reassignment. For suggestions about types of reasonable accommodation for unvaccinated employees, see K.6. In many circumstances, it may be possible to accommodate those seeking reasonable accommodations for their religious beliefs, practices, or observances.

Under Title VII, courts define “undue hardship” as having more than minimal cost or burden on the employer. This is an easier standard for employers to meet than the ADA’s undue hardship standard, which applies to requests for accommodations due to a disability. Considerations relevant to undue hardship can include, among other things, the proportion of employees in the workplace who already are partially or fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and the extent of employee contact with non-employees, whose vaccination status could be unknown or who may be ineligible for the vaccine. Ultimately, if an employee cannot be accommodated, employers should determine if any other rights apply under the EEO laws or other federal, state, and local authorities before taking adverse employment action against an unvaccinated employee

K.13. (Added Dec. 16, 2020; Updated May 28, 2021) Under Title VII, what should an employer do if an employee chooses not to receive a COVID-19 vaccination due to pregnancy?Under Title VII, some employees may seek job adjustments or may request exemptions from a COVID-19 vaccination requirement due to pregnancy.

If an employee seeks an exemption from a vaccine requirement due to pregnancy, the employer must ensure that the employee is not being discriminated against compared to other employees similar in their ability or inability to work. This means that a pregnant employee may be entitled to job modifications, including telework, changes to work schedules or assignments, and leave to the extent such modifications are provided for other employees who are similar in their ability or inability to work. Employers should ensure that supervisors, managers, and human resources personnel know how to handle such requests to avoid disparate treatment in violation of Title VII. 

GINA and COVID-19 Vaccinations

Title II of GINA prohibits covered employers from using the genetic information of employees to make employment decisions. It also restricts employers from requesting, requiring, purchasing, or disclosing genetic information of employees. Under Title II of GINA, genetic information includes information about the manifestation of disease or disorder in a family member (which is referred to as “family medical history”) and information from genetic tests of the individual employee or a family member, among other things. 

K.14. (Added Dec. 16, 2020; Updated May 28, 2021) Is Title II of GINA implicated if an employer requires an employee to receive a COVID-19 vaccine administered by the employer or its agent?

No. Requiring an employee to receive a COVID-19 vaccination administered by the employer or its agent would not implicate Title II of GINA unless the pre-vaccination medical screening questions include questions about the employee’s genetic information, such as asking about the employee’s family medical history.  

As of May 27, 2021, the pre-vaccination medical screening questions for the first three COVID-19 vaccines to receive EUA from the FDA do not seek family medical history or any other type of genetic information. See CDC’s Pre-vaccination Checklist. Therefore, an employer or its agent may ask these questions without violating Title II of GINA.

The act of administering a COVID-19 vaccine does not involve the use of the employee’s genetic information to make employment decisions or the acquisition or disclosure of genetic information and, therefore, does not implicate Title II of GINA.

K.15. (Added Dec. 16, 2020; Updated May 28, 2021) Is Title II of GINA implicated when an employer requires employees to provide documentation or other confirmation that they received a vaccination from a doctor, pharmacy, health agency, or another health care provider in the community?

No. An employer requiring an employee to show documentation or other confirmation of vaccination from a doctor, pharmacy, or other third party is not using, acquiring, or disclosing genetic information and, therefore, is not implicating Title II of GINA. 

This is the case even if the medical screening questions that must be asked before vaccination include questions about genetic information, because documentation or other confirmation of vaccination would not reveal genetic information. Title II of GINA does not prohibit an employee’s own health care provider from asking questions about genetic information. This GINA Title II prohibition only applies to the employer or its agent. 

Employer Incentives For COVID-19 Voluntary Vaccinations Under ADA and GINA

ADA: Employer Incentives for Voluntary COVID-19 Vaccinations

K.16. (Added May 28, 2021)  Under the ADA, may an employer offer an incentive to employees to voluntarily provide documentation or other confirmation that they received a vaccination on their own from a pharmacy, public health department, or other health care provider in the community?

Yes. Requesting documentation or other confirmation showing that an employee received a COVID-19 vaccination in the community is not a disability-related inquiry covered by the ADA. 

Therefore, an employer may offer an incentive to employees to voluntarily provide documentation or other confirmation of a vaccination received in the community. As noted elsewhere, the employer is required to keep vaccination information confidential pursuant to the ADA.

K.17. (Added May 28, 2021) Under the ADA, may an employer offer an incentive to employees for voluntarily receiving a vaccination administered by the employer or its agent?

Yes, if any incentive (which includes both rewards and penalties) is not so substantial as to be coercive. Because vaccinations require employees to answer pre-vaccination disability-related screening questions, a very large incentive could make employees feel pressured to disclose protected medical information. 

As explained in K.16., however, this incentive limitation does not apply if an employer offers an incentive to employees to voluntarily provide documentation or other confirmation that they received a COVID-19 vaccination on their own from a third-party provider that is not their employer or an agent of their employer.

GINA: Employer Incentives for Voluntary COVID-19 Vaccinations

K.18. (Added May 28, 2021) Under GINA, may an employer offer an incentive to employees to provide documentation or other confirmation that they or their family members received a vaccination from their own health care provider, such as a doctor, pharmacy, health agency or another health care provider in the community? 

Yes. Under GINA, an employer may offer an incentive to employees to provide documentation or other confirmation from a third party not acting on the employer’s behalf, such as a pharmacy or health department, that employees or their family members have been vaccinated. 

If employers ask an employee to show documentation or other confirmation that the employee or a family member has been vaccinated, it is not an unlawful request for genetic information under GINA because the fact that someone received a vaccination is not information about the manifestation of a disease or disorder in a family member (known as family medical history under GINA), nor is it any other form of genetic information. GINA’s restrictions on employers acquiring genetic information (including those prohibiting incentives in exchange for genetic information), therefore, do not apply. 

K.19. (Added May 28, 2021) Under GINA, may an employer offer an incentive to employees in exchange for the employee getting vaccinated by the employer or its agent?Yes. Under GINA, as long as an employer does not acquire genetic information while administering the vaccines, employers may offer incentives to employees for getting vaccinated.

Because the pre-vaccination medical screening questions for the three COVID-19 vaccines now available do not inquire about genetic information, employers may offer incentives to their employees for getting vaccinated. See K.14 for more about GINA and pre-vaccination medical screening questions.

K.20. (Added May 28, 2021) Under GINA, may an employer offer an incentive to an employee in return for an employee’s family member getting vaccinated by the employer or its agent?

No. Under GINA’s Title II health and genetic services provision, an employer may not offer any incentives to an employee in exchange for a family member’s receipt of a vaccination from an employer or its agent.  Providing such an incentive to an employee because a family member was vaccinated by the employer or its agent would require the vaccinator to ask the family member the pre-vaccination medical screening questions, which include medical questions about the family member. Asking these medical questions would lead to the employer’s receipt of genetic information in the form of family medical history of the employee. 

The regulations implementing Title II of GINA prohibit employers from providing incentives in exchange for genetic information. Therefore, the employer may not offer incentives in exchange for the family member getting vaccinated. However, employers may still offer an employee’s family member the opportunity to be vaccinated by the employer or its agent, if they take certain steps to ensure GINA compliance. 

K.21. (Added May 28, 2021) Under GINA, may an employer offer an employee’s family member an opportunity to be vaccinated without offering the employee an incentive?

Yes. GINA permits an employer to offer vaccinations to an employee’s family members if it takes certain steps to comply with GINA. 

Employers must not require employees to have their family members get vaccinated and must not penalize employees if their family members decide not to get vaccinated. Employers must also ensure that all medical information obtained from family members during the screening process is only used for the purpose of providing the vaccination, is kept confidential, and is not provided to any managers, supervisors, or others who make employment decisions for the employees. 

In addition, employers need to ensure that they obtain prior, knowing, voluntary and written authorization from the family member before the family member is asked any questions about his or her medical conditions. If these requirements are met, GINA permits the collection of genetic information.

Source: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission


05/19/2021

IRS Answers ARPA COBRA Subsidy Questions

IRS Press Release

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today provided guidance on tax breaks under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 for continuation health coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA).

Notice 2021-31 PDF provides guidance for employers, plan administrators, and health insurers regarding the new credit available to them for providing continuation health coverage to certain individuals under COBRA.

The American Rescue Plan provides a temporary 100% reduction in the premium that individuals would have to pay when they elect COBRA continuation health coverage following a reduction in hours or an involuntary termination of employment. The new law provides a corresponding tax credit for the entities that maintain group health plans, such as employers, multiemployer plans, and insurers. The 100% reduction in the premium and the credit are also available with respect to continuation coverage provided for those events under comparable State laws, sometimes referred to as “mini-COBRA.”

Notice 2021-31 provides information regarding the calculation of the credit, the eligibility of individuals, the premium assistance period, and other information vital to employers, plan administrators, and insurers to understand the credit.

COBRA provides certain former employees, retirees, spouses, former spouses, and dependent children the right to temporary continuation of health coverage at group rates. COBRA generally covers health plans maintained by private-sector employers with 20 or more full and part-time employees. It also covers employee organizations or federal, state or local governments. State mini-COBRA laws often provide similar benefits for insured small employers not subject to Federal COBRA.

The IRS will continue to update information related to health plans on IRS.gov.


05/18/2021

DOL Updates Q&As on COVID-19 and the FMLA

The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) has updated its “COVID-19 and the Family and Medical Leave Act Questions and Answers” web page, originally published in 2020. As before, the Q&As explain that—under the FMLA—covered employers must provide eligible employees with job-protected, unpaid leave for specified family and medical reasons. Additionally, employees on FMLA leave are entitled to the continuation of group health insurance coverage under the same terms that were in effect before they took leave.

The updates reorient the Q&As toward employees (rather than employers), add information about employee leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), and remove a question about preventing employee abuse of Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave.

Highlights:

Serious Medical Condition

Employees may be entitled to leave for their own or a family member’s COVID-19 illness if it constitutes a “serious medical condition” under the FMLA.

FFCRA Leave Enforcement

The DOL will enforce the FFCRA for leave taken or requested between April 1, 2020 and Dec. 31, 2020.

Extension of FFCRA Tax Credits

The American Rescue Plan Act extended tax credits for employers who voluntarily provide FFCRA leave through Sept. 30, 2021.

Child Care Leave

Federal law does not mandate leave to care for a healthy child. The FFCRA  required leave for certain COVID-19-related child care through Dec. 30, 2021.

Testing Before Returning to Work
Employers may require a COVID-19 test before employees return to work from FMLA leave if it is nondiscriminatory.

The Q&A revisions also:

  • – Alert readers to state or federal leave requirements that might apply even when the FMLA does not;
  •  – Update language explaining how telemedicine visits can establish a serious health condition under the FMLA; and
  • – Affirm the employer’s ability to request a physician’s note to certify the need for FMLA.

In addition, the Q&As also expand the discussion of nondiscrimination laws employers must avoid violating during layoffs.


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