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…
Have you wanted to check in on a coworker, but worried you would say the wrong thing? Have you avoided having difficult conversations because you didn’t want to make things worse? Do you worry about your loved ones and wish you knew how to reach out? If so, please join our ‘Talk It Out’ webinar.…
Background On June 24, 2019, President Trump signed Executive Order Improving Price and Quality Transparency in American Healthcare to Put Patients First directing the Departments of Health and Human Services, Treasury and Labor (Departments) to develop regulations to require hospitals, healthcare providers, health insurance issuers, and self-insured group health plans to provide or facilitate access to information…
On Oct. 29, 2020, the Departments of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Treasury (Departments) issued a final rule regarding transparency in coverage that imposes new transparency requirements on group health plans and health insurers in the individual and group markets. These provisions only apply to non-grandfathered coverage, including both insured and self-insured group…
The Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor and Treasury (collectively“Departments”) released the Interim Final Rule “Requirements Related to Surprise Billing; Part I”. This rule is the first round of sub regulatory guidance written in response to the No Surprises Act passed as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act. The Act establishes protections from surprise…
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA) was enacted on Dec. 27, 2020. The CAA includes a $900 billion coronavirus relief package that provides funding to individuals and businesses. Within the CCA, there is a somewhat overlooked but important provision that affects group health plans because it requires such plans to prepare a report with specific information demonstrating…
COVID-19 vaccinations are a contentious topic in America. Many U.S. adults still haven’t gotten the shot despite the Food and Drug Administration’s recent (FDA) full approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. This reluctance is seen as a problem by health experts, who contest that vaccination is the most effective way to control the widespread coronavirus Delta…
A number of new transparency-related rules impose new obligations upon employers that sponsor group health plans to their employees. GBS is committed to support you in your efforts to comply as new information becomes available and as new requirements go into effect. If you have any questions, or are looking for additional information, please reach…
To address the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Biden administration announced September 9, 2021 that the Department of Labor (DOL) through its federal workplace safety officials, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), will soon issue a rule that will require all employers with 100 or more employees to either ensure their workers…
Many employers are struggling to increase COVID-19 vaccination rates among their workforce, concerned not only about both the safety of the workforce but also the costs of COVID-19 treatment that could be avoided through vaccination. Some are now turning to the possibility of a higher premium cost, or surcharge, for any group health plan participants…