Have a look at some of the top employee benefits stories from this quarter.
Paid Leave Oregon & New Model Notice Requirements
Paid Leave Oregon is a statewide paid family and medical leave program funded through employer and employee contributions in the form of payroll deductions that started January 1, 2023. As an alternative to participating in the state-run Paid Leave Oregon Insurance plan, employers may comply through the offering of an equivalent plan. An equivalent plan provides benefits to employees that are equal to or greater than those provided by the state through the Paid Leave Oregon program.
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CMS Releases Cost-sharing Limits for 2024 Plan Years
On December 12, 2022, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the maximum limits on cost sharing for 2024 under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). For 2024, the maximum annual limitation on cost sharing is $9,450 for self-only coverage and $18,900 for family coverage. This represents an approximately 3.8% increase above the 2023 limits of $9,100 for self-only coverage and $18,200 for family coverage. Employers should review the plan designs each year to ensure they comply with the ACA’s cost-sharing limits.
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How the End of the COVID-19 Emergency Periods Will Impact Health Plans
The Biden Administration has announced its plan to end the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) and National Emergency (NE) on May 11, 2023. The COVID-19 Outbreak Period (OP) ends 60 days after the NE ends, so under this timeline, the OP will end on July 10, 2023. Here is an overview of the items to be aware of when the emergencies end, including health plan coverage rules related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Health Plans Must Submit Gag Clause Attestations by December 31, 2023
On February 23, 2023, the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and the Treasury (Departments) issued FAQs on the prohibition of gag clauses under the transparency provisions of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA). These FAQs require health plans and health insurance issuers to submit their first attestation of compliance with the CAA’s prohibition of gag clauses by December 31, 2023.
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