This CLE course will guide employee benefits attorneys and advisers on critical issues and challenges of COVID-19 on employee health and welfare plans and administration. The panel will discuss the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on employee benefits, the new Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the Act), vendor performance issues, HIPAA, and 401(k) considerations. The panel will also offer action plans to ensure legal and regulatory compliance for employers and plan administrators.
The COVID-19 pandemic is causing significant employee benefits issues for employers. Employee benefits counsel must identify critical issues and implement a variety of administrative standards during this crisis.
Congress has passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the Act), which provides employees paid family and sick leave and financial assistance for coronavirus testing. The Act also requires all ERISA plans, both insured and self-insured, to cover (1) testing services, (2) any healthcare provider, urgent care, or emergency room visits for COVID-19, and (3) any item or service furnished during such evaluation or testing visit. These services are to be covered at no cost to employees and remain in place until the health crisis ends.
Also, as the number of new cases continuously increases, employee benefits counsel must prepare their response plans. Counsel must anticipate employee benefits issues that may arise relating to vendor performance, HIPAA, paid leave, 401(k) considerations, and other compliance issues and potential benefit change considerations.
Listen as our panel discusses the impact of COVID-19 on employee benefits and offer critical plans of action to ensure legal and regulatory compliance.
