Legal Update: EEOC Releases Final Rule Implementing Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
On April 15, 2024, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) released a final rule to implement the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA). The final rule clarifies definitions and limitations under the PWFA and seeks to help employers understand their duties under the law. The final regulation will be published in the Federal Register on April 19, 2024, and becomes effective on
June 18, 2024.
Legal Update: Deadline Reminder: RxDC Reports Are Due by June 1, 2024
Group health plans and health insurance issuers must annually submit detailed information on prescription drug and health care spending to the federal government. This reporting is referred to as the “prescription drug data collection” (or “RxDC report”). This is an annual reporting requirement—plans and issuers must submit these reports by June 1 of each year
The next RxDC report is due by Saturday, June 1, 2024, covering data for 2023.
Legal Update: US Supreme Court Rules That Mandatory Job Transfer Can Be Discriminatory Under Title VII
On April 17, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision in Muldrow v. City of St. Louis, holding that a mandatory job transfer can constitute illegal discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII) if it causes harm with respect to an identifiable term or condition of employment, even if the harm is not significant.
Employers may consider greater care in mandating employee transfers, including lateral job transfers, to ensure that such decisions are not discriminatory and do not result in even insignificant harm with respect to identifiable terms and conditions of employment.
Think Well, Be Well
Spring isn’t just for cleaning out your closet or home; it’s also a great time to refresh your mind, body and personal habits. This season is often associated with growth and new beginnings, making it the perfect time for self-reflection and adjustments
Legal Update: ACA Information Reporting Penalties Increased for Returns Filed in 2025
IRS Revenue Procedure 2023-34 includes updated penalty amounts that may apply to reporting entities that fail to comply with the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) requirements under Internal Revenue Code Sections 6055 and 6056. The increased amounts apply to 2024 information returns and individual statements that are required to be filed and furnished in 2025.
News Brief: Anxiety Tops List of Mental Health-related Workplace Issues
Mental health provider ComPsych revealed that anxiety is the top mental health issue impacting workers. Nearly one-quarter(24%) of the individuals who contacted ComPsych for mental help assistance in 2023 were looking for help with anxiety.
“From the pandemic to ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine,civil unrest, an unpredictable economy and increasingly polarized political rhetoric surrounding elections, there is a persistent underlying feeling of apprehension and worry.”
– Richard Chaifetz, founder, CEO and chairman of ComPsych
Legal Update: Upcoming EEO-1 Reporting Deadlines
Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (Title VII), employers with 100 or more employees and certain federal contractors must submit a report about their workforces to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) by March 31 every year.
The EEOC expects to open the portal for employers to begin entering 2023 EEO-1 information on April 30, 2024. The EEOC has also set a new deadline of June 4, 2024, for the 2023 reports.
Compliance Bulletin – Medicare Part D Changes May Impact Creditable Coverage Status of Employer Plans
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) includes several cost-reduction provisions affecting Medicare Part D plans, which may impact the creditable coverage status of employer-sponsored prescription drug coverage beginning in 2025.
Employers that provide prescription drug coverage to individuals who are eligible for Medicare Part D must inform these individuals and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) whether their prescription drug coverage is creditable, meaning that the employer’s prescription drug coverage is at least as good as Medicare Part D coverage
Compliance Bulletin – Mental Health Parity Compliance Remains a Key Focus in 2024
The federal government is continuing its efforts to improve access to mental health and substance use disorder (MH/SUD) care in 2024, with a top enforcement priority being compliance with the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) for employer-sponsored health plans.
MHPAEA is a federal law that prevents group health plans and health insurance issuers that provide MH/SUD benefits from imposing more restrictions on those benefits than what generally applies to comparable medical or surgical benefits.
News Brief: Over 70 Million AT&T Customers’ Data Exposed in Data Breach
On Saturday, March 30, 2024, telecommunications giant AT&T released a statement saying current and former customer data was exposed on the dark web.
“Based on our preliminary analysis, the data set appears to be from 2019 or earlier, impacting approximately 7.6 million current AT&T account holders and approximately 65.4 million former account holders,”
– AT&T Press Release
Client and Employee Resources
The more your employees understand your benefit plans the more they become educated, empowered consumers. The programs you provide will also gain an enhanced value.
As your strategic partners in employee benefits, we can provide multiple avenues of ongoing support, including:
- Employee Meetings (English and Spanish)
- Webcasts
- Payroll Stuffers
- Poster Campaigns
- Newsletters
Carrier Directories
E-Verify is a web-based system that allows enrolled employers to confirm the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States. Click the image below to begin.
