Entries by Simon Carlson

COVID-19: April 1 Effective Date for FFCRA Leaves

On Tuesday, March 24, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced that the effective date of the leaves available through the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) will be April 1, 2020. Based on the language in the bill, the effective date was widely believed to be April 2. The DOL announced the effective date in […]

The Impact of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act

On March 18, 2020, the Senate voted to approve, and President Trump signed, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the Act). The Act is substantively the same as the version approved by the House of Representatives on March 16, 2020, is effective no later than 15 days after the date of the enactment, and sunsets […]

COVID-19 – Our Commitment to Employees, Broker Partners and Clients

At the BASIC family of companies, the health, safety, and wellbeing of our employees, partners, clients, and communities are our top priorities. We understand the concern and uncertainty surrounding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and we are committed to providing our clients and their employees with the very best service possible during this difficult period. This communication […]

IRS Allows a HDHP to Cover COVID-19 Testing and Treatment

On March 11, 2020, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that a High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP ) can cover the cost of testing and treatment related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, regardless of whether or not a participant has satisfied their deductible. This includes coverage of any potential vaccine developed to treat the coronavirus, as […]

Are Coronavirus Expenses Eligible for FSA Reimbursement?

The answer: it depends. As the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak continues, many may be wondering which items are reimbursable by their Flexible Spending Account (FSA), and it is not always obvious which expenses their Flex plan classifies as eligible. In order to maximize the tax-advantaged savings of your FSA, let’s explore which healthcare related coronavirus expenses […]

Emergency Family and Medical Leave Act

On March 16, 2020, the House of Representatives introduced revisions to Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201) aimed at dealing with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which adjusts FMLA leave and paid sick leave regulations to help employees during times of emergency. While this legislation is just the House of Representatives’ proposed solution and may be […]

Absence Management – Is Now the Time to Outsource?

When it comes to absence management and dealing with employee illness, injury, or protected leave, choosing not to outsource can seem like the affordable option. However, absence management is often described as a “minefield” for employers and can be one of the most difficult and time-consuming responsibilities a company has. Companies without a sophisticated absence […]