HR Compliance Bulletin – EEOC Adds FAQs Addressing Religious Objections to COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates Under Title VII
On Oct. 25, 2021, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued additional answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about how employers should comply with Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act (Title VII), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other federal fair employment laws while also observing all applicable emergency workplace safety guidelines during the coronavirus pandemic.
Title VII/ADA Rules Do Not Prevent Safety Measures
Employers must follow all applicable rules under federal fair employment laws while also observing emergency guidelines issued by federal, state and local health authorities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Click here to learn more and download the latest Compliance Bulletin
HR Brief – What President Biden’s Vaccine Mandate Means for Employers
Recently, the White House directed the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to draft an emergency temporary standard (ETS) for private employers. Soon, employers with 100 or more employees (likely measured companywide, not by location) will need to adapt their vaccine policies and enforce one of the following:
• Require employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19
• Require unvaccinated employees to produce evidence of a negative COVID-19 test each week
DOL Announces Final Rule on Tip Regulations
Recently, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a final rule that will amend Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) regulations for tipped employees. The final rule is expected to become effective on Nov. 23, 2021.
Benefits and Me: Preparing for Rising COVID-19 Medical Bills
COVID-19 medical bills are expected to increase next year. During the height of the pandemic, insurers waived the costs of certain COVID-19-related services, such as emergency room (ER) copayments, hospital stay deductibles and testing charges. For example, screening procedures were primarily free during the pandemic, and now they could cost upwards of $200.
Consider the following ways to control your costs:
Understanding Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement
Arrangements
An individual coverage health reimbursement arrangement (ICHRA) uses funds from your employer to help pay for certain medical expenses. To qualify for an ICHRA, you enroll in individual health coverage using a Health Insurance Marketplace, a private insurer, Medicare or another method. In other words, if you’re enrolled in an employer’s group health plan, you don’t qualify for an ICHRA. Here’s how an ICHRA works:
American Diabetes Awareness Month
American Diabetes Month
More than 34 million people in the United States have diabetes—95% have Type 2 diabetes, while the remaining 5% have Type 1. Both types of diabetes center around the inability to control one’s blood sugar. American Diabetes Month is intended to raise awareness about this serious disease.
While you can’t prevent Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes is largely preventable. Making the following six lifestyle changes can greatly reduce your risk of developing the disease:
- Manage your weight.
- Increase your activity level.
- Talk with your doctor about your risks.
- Monitor your carbohydrate intake.
- Maintain a healthy diet.
- Choose whole grains.
Take action: View and download the latest National Health Observance newsletter – PDF
It’s Cold and Flu Season Again – Live Well, Work Well
View and download the latest Live Well, Work Well newsletter
With the fall and winter months comes flu season. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), flu activity peaks between December and February so now’s the time to ensure you’re prepared. Social distancing and mask mandates significantly prevented a “twindemic” last year as the flu season coincided with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Those safety measures helped prevent a majority of flu cases. However, as more states and businesses lift mask mandates and other preventive measures, the flu virus may circulate much more freely than it did last year.
The CDC estimates that 12,000 to 61,000 people die each year from the flu.
Preventing the Flu
The flu vaccine is your best chance of preventing the illness—especially this year. The CDC recommends an annual flu vaccine for anyone 6 months of age or older.
There are more ways to help protect yourself and others during this flu season. Avoid close contact with people who are sick, and stay home when you’re ill. It’s also critical to continue good hygiene by covering your coughs and sneezes and washing your hands.
How Natural Immunity to COVID-19 Might Factor Into Vaccine Mandates
Recently, President Joe Biden announced sweeping COVID-19 vaccination mandates. Federal employees must now be vaccinated as a condition of employment. And, soon, private employers with 100 or more employees will need to implement the same measure or allow weekly negative COVID-19 testing as substitutes for vaccination.
Natural Immunity, Explained
“Once an individual is infected with COVID-19, do they need to get vaccinated, or is their immunity sufficient?”
How Natural Immunity Factors Into the ETS
Most experts predict the ETS will not include it as an exception for getting vaccinated.
What to Expect in the Upcoming ETS
Experts predict that the ETS will not outline natural immunity as a valid exception to the rule.
Note: This is a developing issue. Information will be updated here and in subsequent resources as more details are released.
Know Your Benefits: COVID-19 Medical Bills Expected to Rise
COVID-19 medical bills are expected to increase next year. During the height of the pandemic, insurers waived the costs of certain COVID-19-related services, such as emergency room (ER) copayments, hospital stay deductibles, and testing charges.
As the pandemic eases, those previously waived costs are returning. Many insurers are now treating COVID-19 much like other diseases, meaning they no longer provide special exceptions for COVID-19-related services.
This article briefly explains why this pricing change matters to you and what you can do to protect your health budget.
- Where Might Expenses Increase?
- How Might Rising Costs Be Controlled?
- Where Can I Learn More?
Reach out to Evolution of Benefits for all your employee communication needs, including enrollment guides, video messaging, presentations, and more.
Learn more and take action – view the full newsletter below.
FAQs Address COVID-19 Vaccine Coverage and Premium Discounts
On Oct. 4, 2021, the Departments of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Treasury (Departments) issued FAQs addressing rules regarding premium incentives for COVID-19 vaccinations and rapid coverage of preventive services for COVID-19.
The maximum premium discount related to COVID-19 vaccination is 30% of the cost of coverage.
Highlights
- Premium discounts for COVID-19 vaccination generally must be offered as part of a wellness program.
- These wellness programs will generally be required to offer a reasonable alternative standard to qualify for the discount for certain individuals.
- Plans generally may not condition eligibility for benefits or coverage on vaccination status.
Merck Antiviral COVID-19 Pill Found to Cut Risk of Hospitalization, Death
On Friday, Oct. 1, 2021, drug manufacturer Merck and its partner Ridgeback Biotherapeutics announced an antiviral pill that could drastically reduce the severity of COVID-19 infections.
The drug, molnupiravir, was shown in clinical trials to reduce the risk of COVID-19 hospitalizations and death by around 50%. Merck said they will be seeking emergency use authorization (EUA) from the Food and Drug Administration as soon as possible.
“Antiviral treatments that can be taken at home to keep people with COVID-19 out of the hospital are critically needed.” Wendy Holman, Ridgeback Biotherapeutics CEO
For more information:
Additional Regulations Issued on Surprise Medical Billing Ban
On Sept. 30, 2021, the Departments of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Treasury (Departments) jointly released an additional interim final rule outlining further requirements related to surprise billing. This rule continues the implementation of the No Surprises Act, which is a ban on surprise medical bills effective in 2022 that was enacted as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, signed into law in late 2020.
Important Dates
- Dec. 27, 2020, The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, was signed into law.
- Sept. 30, 2021, The Departments issued an additional interim final rule to implement the No Surprises Act.
- Jan. 1, 2022, The No Surprises Act applies to plan or policy years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2022.
This interim final rule details the independent dispute resolution process for determining final payment beyond allowable patient cost-sharing.
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.
