Several key deadlines that affect employer-sponsored health plans were extended during an “Outbreak Period” associated with the COVID-19 National Emergency. These extensions are now coming to an end.
The COVID-19 pandemic triggered several federal emergencies, but two of them directly impacted group health plans: the Public Health Emergency and the National Emergency.
To assist in keeping up with the current on status on each mandate, please refer to the summary below. Note that this issue continues to evolve under each of the three separate mandates. The GBS Compliance will continue to keep you updated. In the meantime, employers who are affected should prepare to comply by the…
This summary has been provided by our preferred partner for employment law, Fisher Phillips, and has been published with their permission. The Supreme Court of the United States issued an opinion on January 13, 2022 that says the CMS healthcare vaccine mandate can be enforced. This effectively removes the injunctions that had been blocking implementation…
Compliance Update Supreme Court Strikes Down OSHA’s Vaccine ETS: An Employer’s 6-Step Priority List This summary has been provided by our preferred partner for employment law, Fisher Phillips, and has been published with their permission. The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) just blocked OSHA’s vaccine ETS from being enforced for the foreseeable future,…
Today, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an opinion based on oral arguments given on January 7, 2022, and in sum: Vaccine or test mandate for private employers with 100+ is blocked Healthcare vaccine mandate survives Background On July 7, 2022 the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments to decide whether certain federal vaccine requirements can…
On January 10, 2022 the DOL, HHS and IRS issued FAQs to address requirements for issuers/carriers and group health plans to cover over-the-counter COVID-19 diagnostic tests under certain conditions. On the same day, CMS also issued a supporting user-friendly set of 15 FAQs . The FAQs offer more clarification on the requirement that plans and…
Compliance Update Federal Circuit Court Lifted Stay, OSHA Mandate is Reinstated This summary has been provided by our preferred partner for employment law, Fisher Phillips, and has been published with their permission. In one of the more shocking developments in a year full of surprises, a federal appeals court breathed new life into the Biden…
Dr. Russell Vinik, GBS Medical Director Additional Considerations and Treatment Options if you get COVID-19 Isolate yourself immediately. Your family members are not destined to get sick. On average 25% of household contacts get COVID. This can be reduced with isolation. Test close contacts. Close contacts should be tested about 5 days after exposure to…
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.…
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…
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…
Originally published by Fisher Phillips. The GBS & Leavitt Group preferred partner for employment law. Republished with permission. With many current COVID-19 safety protocols dependent on vaccination status, verification and vaccine mandates continue to raise unique confidentiality and privacy considerations for employers. Here are some important points to keep in mind when tracking, collecting, or…
Monoclonal Antibodies can prevent hospitalization or death in people infected with COVID19. It is important to know if you would benefit for antibody treatment, and if you qualify to seek treatment as soon as possible. What are monoclonal antibodies? COVID Monoclonal antibodies are antibodies similar to those which you body would naturally produce in response…
As the Delta variant surges throughout the country, more and more employers are implementing mandatory vaccine policies, especially now that the Pfizer vaccine has received full FDA approval. Most employers know they may need to make reasonable accommodations to the mandatory vaccine plan under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) because of an employee’s disability. But…