Happy Holidays from GBS Benefits
May the warmth and wonder of the holiday season follow you throughout the coming year. https://youtu.be/zI-ubny_foU
2022 COLAs for Benefit Plans
Each year, various federal regulators announce cost-of-living adjustments affecting tax, employee benefits dollar amounts and penalties for the upcoming calendar year. Highlights of adjustments for 2022 that are most relevant to health and benefits plans (including prior amounts from 2021) are listed below. Download PDF
Steps to Take Now to Comply With OSHA’s ETS Checklist
On Nov. 4, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced a federal Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) to address the grave danger of COVID-19 infection in the workplace. Affected employers will be required to comply with most provisions of the ETS by Dec. 6, 2021, and with its testing requirements by Jan. 4, 2022.…
OSHA’s Vaccine ETS Encounters More Obstacles – Next Steps for Employers with 100+ Employees
The OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) issued on November 4, 2021 has been met with controversy from the outset. It is intended to require employers with 100+ employees to ensure that those employees are either fully vaccinated or produce a weekly negative COVID-19 test beginning January 4, 2022. Other requirements in the ETS are effective…
OHSA Issues COVID-19 Vaccination & Testing Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS)
On November 4, 2021, the DOL’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced a COVID-19 vaccination and testing Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) which takes effect November 5, 2021. The ETS is intended to preempt any State or local requirements that ban or limit an employer from requiring vaccination, face covering, or testing. The ETS applies…
EEOC Issues New FAQs on COVID-19 Vaccine Programs & Incentives
“Can We, Should We… Will You Please?” Five Best Practices When Considering a Vaccination Policy The COVID-19 vaccines have arrived, and as a nation we are seeing unprecedented efforts to make the vaccine available first to our healthcare specialists on the front lines and then to our most vulnerable citizens. We recognize that employers are…
IRS FAQs on COBRA Subsidies created by the American Rescue Plan
IRS FAQs on COBRA Subsidies created by the American Rescue Plan On May 18, 2021, the IRS issued Notice 2021-31 (entitled “Premium Assistance for COBRA Benefits”). The notice provides guidance on the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) subsidy created by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). As background, the ARPA subsidy covers 100% of…
Vaccinations – To Ask or Not to Ask
This article explores strategy, communication and policy steps for organizations looking for a road map through the question of vaccination verification and overall mask and vaccine issues. This document explores the newest questions for employers regarding asking, documenting or tracking employee participation in the COVID-19 vaccination process. Job Summary On May 13, 2021 the CDC…
DOL Releases ARPA COBRA Premium Subsidy Notices
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IRS Extends Time to Make IRA, HSA Contributions and File Forms 1040
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ARPA: Impact on the Affordable Care Act Subsidies and Penalities for ALEs
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ARPA: Impact on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020
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ARPA & FFCRA Matrix
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State-Specific Resources
KFF – State COVID-19 Data and Policy Actions Utah Utah.gov – Updated Utah Guidance on Isolation and Quarantine for the General Population and Students Utah Workplace Vaccine Rules SB2004 Utah.gov – COVID-19 Business Manual Utah.gov – Utah’s Moderate Risk Phase Utah Department of Health Arizona Arizona Department of Health Services Colorado Colorado Department of Health New…