2021 Aon Washington Report Index
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Weekly federal legislative and regulatory updates affecting the U.S. workforce and workplace.
Aon Washington Report - 12/22/2021
- More Court Orders Issued on Vaccine-or-Test Mandates; Stay on OSHA ETS Mandate Lifted, Additional Stays Imposed on Health Care Worker Mandate
- IRS Releases 2022 Standard Mileage Rates
- Federal Appeals Court Lifts Stay of OSHA’s Vax-or-Test/Mask Mandate for Employers with 100+ Employees
Aon Washington Report - 12/15/2021
- Supreme Court Rejects Challenge to New York’s COVID-19 Health Care Worker Vaccine Mandate
- Supreme Court Allows Abortion Clinics to Sue Over Texas Law but Allows Law to Remain in Effect; Court Rejects White House Appeal to Block Law
- EEOC Updates COVID-19 Technical Assistance; Clarifies When COVID-19 May Be Considered a Disability
- Senate Passes Bill Nullifying COVID-19 Vaccine-or-Test Mandate; President Would Veto
- Fall 2021 Regulatory Agenda Released
Aon Washington Report - 12/8/2021
- President Signs Legislation Funding Government Through February 18, 2022
- President Announces COVID-19 Winter Plan With Required Health Plan Reimbursements of At-Home Covid-19 Diagnostic Tests
- Courts Block COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate for Federal Contractors and Health Care Workers
- OSHA Extends Comment Period on COVID-19 ETS to January 19, 2022
- IRS Releases Guidance on Retroactive Termination of the Employee Retention Credit
- EEOC Releases Latest Edition of Federal Sector EEO Digest
- Frozen III! Third Federal Mandate on Ice as District Court Blocks Vaccination Mandate for Federal Contractors
- Transparency Becomes Clearer: Departments Issue Regulations for Reporting Prescription Drug and Health Care Spending
Aon Washington Report - 11/24/2021
- Administration Asks Sixth Circuit Appeals Court to Lift Stay on COVID-19 Vaccine-or-Test Requirement
- House Approves $1.7T Social Spending Bill; Senate Passage Uncertain
- IRS Releases Advanced Copy of Proposed Regulations Which Provide That ‘Minimum Essential Coverage,’ as Used in Health Insurance-Related Tax Laws, Does Not Include Medicaid Coverage That Is Limited to COVID-19 Testing
- HHS Announces New GAPB Advisory Committee in Response to No Surprises Act
- Departments Issue Interim Final Rule on Prescription Drug and Health Care Spending
- OSHA Responds to Recent ETS Court Litigation
- PBGC Releases FY 2021 Annual Report; Finances of Multiemployer Program ‘Substantially Improved’; Single-Employer Program ‘Continues to Improve’
- DOL Issues Final Regulations Implementing EO 14026 — Increasing Hourly Federal Contractor Pay to $15
- EEOC Updates COVID-19 Technical Assistance; Addresses Retaliation
- OSHA Suspends ETS Enforcement After 5th Circuit Blocks Mandate
Aon Washington Report - 11/17/2021
- Federal Court Extends Enforcement of COVID-19 Vaccine-or-Test Requirement for Private Employers
- CMS Releases 2022 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles; Medicare Part D Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts
- DOL, NLRB, and EEOC Announce Joint Initiative to End Retaliation, Promote Workers’ Rights
- DOL Relaunches EARN Website to Assist Public and Private Sector Workplaces to Be More Inclusive for Those With Disabilities
- DOL Announces Notice of Proposed Recission on Religious Exemption
- IRS Provides Tax Inflation Adjustments for 2022
- CMS Issues 2022 Medicare Premiums, Deductibles, and Coinsurance Amounts
- IRS Issues 2022 Benefit Contribution Limits
- Biden Administration Releases Rules on Vaccination Mandate for Health Care Providers
Aon Washington Report - 11/10/2021
- Federal Court Temporarily Halts Enforcement of COVID-19 ETS
- OSHA Releases New ETS on Mandatory Employer COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
- CMS Issues Rule on Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination for Health Care Workers
- IRS Releases 2022 Official Indexed Figures for Retirement Plans and Other Employee Benefit Plans; 401(k) Contribution Limit increases to $20,500 for 2022
- Biden Administration Releases Rules on Vaccinate-or-Test Mandate for Employers With at Least 100 Employees
- IRS 2022 Official Indexed Figures for Retirement Plans and Other Employee Benefit Plans
- Does USERRA Require Paid Military Leave? Some Federal Courts Seem to Think So
- Now Available: Legal Consulting & Compliance Quarterly Update
Aon Washington Report - 10/27/2021
- IRS Issues Two FAQs on Rehired Retirees and In-Service Distributions
- PBGC Posts 2022 Maximum Monthly Guarantee Limits
- EEOC Issues Updated COVID-19 Technical Assistance About Religious Objections to Vaccine Requirements
- EEOC Issues Additional Guidance for Employers on Religious Objections to Employer COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates
Aon Washington Report - 10/20/2021
- EEOC Updates COVID-19 Vaccination Technical Assistance Guidance
- PBGC Issues Technical Update on ERISA 4010 Filing Relief
- PBGC Announces 2022 Premium Rates for Single-Employer and Multiemployer Plans
- EBSA Releases Guidance on a Fiduciary’s Role in Selecting ESG-Related Plan Investments and Exercising Shareholder Rights
- SSA Releases 2022 Indexed Figures; Announces 5.9% Benefit Increase
- SSA Releases 2022 Indexed Figures; Announces 5.9% Benefit Increase
- HHS Again Renews COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Declaration
- Departments Issue Second Set of Rules on “No Surprises” Medical Billing
Aon Washington Report - 10/13/2021
- IRS Publishes Notice of Extension Timeframes for Elections and Payments of COBRA Premiums
- EEO Digest Now Available
- Agencies Extend Deadlines for COBRA Elections and Payments
Aon Washington Report - 10/06/2021
- Departments Release FAQs About ACA Implementation Part 50, HIPAA, CARES Act Implementation
- Additional Guidance on Surprise Billing Issued
- OCR Publishes Guidance on HIPAA, COVID-19 Vaccinations, and the Workplace; Reminds Public That HIPAA Does Not Apply to Employers or Employment Records
- CMS Releases 2022 Premiums and Cost-Sharing Information for Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans
- Departments Say HIPAA Permits Group Health Plan Surcharges, Discounts on COVID-19 Vaccinations
Aon Washington Report - 09/29/2021
- CMS Announces It Will Provide Coverage for COVID-19 Booster Shots
- IRS Releases Drafts of General Instructions for Forms 1094-B/C and 1095-B/C
- PBGC Releases FY 2020 Projections Report and 5-Year Multiemployer Program Report
Aon Washington Report - 09/22/2021
- Departments Release ACA Final Rule: Updating Payment Parameters, Section 1332 Waiver Implementing Regulations, and Improving Health Insurance Markets for 2022 and Beyond Final Rule; Annual Enrollment Period Also Extended 30 Days
- Agencies Seek Public Comment on Proposed Revisions to Form 5500; EBSA Releases Proposed Rule on Revisions to the Annual Information Return/Report Forms Under SECURE Act
- DOL Announces Extension of Effective Date of Joint Employer Rule to October 5, 2021
- DOL Announces Annual Update to Minimum Hourly Wage Rate for Federal Contract Workers
Aon Washington Report - 09/15/2021
- White House Announces “Path Out of the Pandemic” Plan; Includes Provision Requiring Employers With More Than 100 Employees to Have Vaccinated Workforce or Test Employees Weekly
- President Biden Signs Two EOs Requiring COVID-19 Vaccination for Federal Contractors and Employees
- IRS Reminds Taxpayers That the Cost of Home Testing for COVID-19 Is Eligible Medical Expense; Reimbursable Under FSAs, HSAs
- HHS Announces Proposal to Lower Prescription Drug Costs
- CMS Will Provide States Additional Funding to Lower Health Coverage Costs Through ARPA
- IRS Publishes Revenue Procedures on Pre-Approved Pension Plans
- IRS Releases Temporary and Proposed Regulations on the Recapture of Excess Employment Tax Credits Under ARPA
- Treasury, IRS Release Guidance for 2021 on Reporting Qualified Sick and Family Leave Wages
- IRS Announces 2021–2022 Special Per Diem Rates
- DOL Publishes Final Interpretive Rule Amending One of the Rules Interpreting the OSH Act’s Anti-Retaliation
- OFCCP and EEOC Publish Rescission of Notice of Intention Not to Request, Accept, or Use Employer Information Report (EEO–1) Component 2 Data
- Social Security 2021 Trustees Report Now Available
- President Biden’s Vaccine Mandate—What It Means for Employers
Aon Washington Report - 09/01/2021
- Affordability Percentage for ACA Employer Mandate Expected to Dip Slightly in 2022
- Departments Delay Health Plan Price Transparency Rules, CAA Requirements
Aon Washington Report - 08/25/2021
- Departments Release FAQs About ACA and CAA Implementation Part 49
- Departments Intend to Propose Changes to 2018 Regulations on Preventive Services Coverage Requirements
Aon Washington Report - 08/18/2021
- Congress Adjourned for Summer Recess
- President Biden Issues Fact Sheet Calling on Congress to Lower Prescription Drug Costs
- OSHA Updates COVID-19 Guidance for All Industries
- IRS Releases Notice on Work Opportunity Tax Credit Deadlines
- IRS Issues Safe Harbor Permitting Employers to Exclude Certain Amounts From Gross Receipts Solely for Determining Eligibility for the ERC
- IRS Issues Guidance on the ERC
- DOL Extends Comment Period for Proposed Minimum Wage Increase for Federal Contractors
- The Legal and Practical Implications of Charging Unvaccinated Employees More for Employer-Sponsored Medical Coverage
Aon Washington Report - 08/04/2021
- President’s Plan to Increase Number of Vaccinated Americans Includes Employment-Related Directives
- IRS Publishes Premium Assistance for COBRA Benefits Under ARP, Part II
- HHS, DOJ Release Guidance on “Long COVID” as a Disability
- CMS Releases Proposed Rule on CY 2022 Hospital OPPS and ASC Payment Systems and Quality Reporting Programs; Also Addresses Price Transparency, Access to Care, Safety and Health Equity
- IRS Issues ARP Funding Guidance for Single Employer Plans
- DOL Issues Temporary Implementing FAQs on Lifetime Income Illustrations
- Tax Credits for Paid Leave Expanded to Cover Employees Accompanying Family Members for COVID Vaccinations
- DOL Announces Final Rule to Rescind March 2020 Joint Employer Rule
- DOL to Offer Virtual Seminars in August to Help Employers, Employees, Stakeholders With Prevailing Wage Requirements
- IRS Issues Proposed Rule on Electronic-Filing Requirements for Specified Returns and Other Documents; Withdrawal of Previous Proposed Rule
- DOL Announces Proposed Rule Implementing EO Increasing Wages for Federal Contractors
- IRS Issues Additional ARP COBRA Subsidy Guidance
- Now Available: Legal Consulting & Compliance Quarterly Update
- ACA Requires Employers to Provide HIV PrEP-Related Services Without Cost-Sharing
- HHS Again Renews COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Declaration
Aon Washington Report - 07/21/2021
- Departments Issue FAQs on ACA Implementation, Part 47
- CMS Releases Proposed Regulations on PFS and Other Changes to Part B Payment Policies; Addresses Health Equity and Patient Access
- IRS Updates Correction Changes to EPCRS
- Departments Issue Interim Final Regulations Prohibiting Surprise Medical Bills
Aon Washington Report - 07/14/2021
- President Biden Signs Executive Order Focusing on 72 Initiatives Promoting Competition
- IRS Publishes Proposed Rule on Surprise Medical Billing; Follows Interim Final Rule Released Earlier by Departments
- Departments Announce Interim Final Rule on Surprise Medical Billing; First in Series of Regulations to Be Released
- HHS Issues Proposed Rule on ACA; Updating Payment Parameters, Section 1332 Waiver Implementing Regulations, and Improving Health Insurance Markets for 2022 and Beyond
- PBGC Publishes Interim Final Rule Providing SFA to Financially Troubled Multiemployer Pension Plans
- IRS Provides Guidance for Multiemployer Retirement Plans Receiving SFA From PBGC
- IRS Issues Notice Extending Tax Relief for Employer Leave-Based Donation Programs That Aid Victims of COVID-19
Aon Washington Report - 06/30/2021
- House Approves Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act; Senate Passage Uncertain
- IRS Extends Relief to Physical Presence Requirement for Notary an Additional 12 Months
- IRS Releases Fiscal 2020 Data Book; Describes Agency’s Activities During COVID-19
- EEOC Issues New EEO Digest; Includes Selected Notable 2020 Decisions
Aon Washington Report - 06/23/2021
- President Biden Declares Juneteenth a Public Holiday
- Supreme Court Dismisses Challenge to ACA; Preserves Coverage and Availability
- EEOC Announces Two New Resources About Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Workplace Rights
- Out at Third—SCOTUS Dismisses Latest ACA Challenge, Holding Plaintiff States Lacked Standing to Bring Case
Aon Washington Report - 06/16/2021
- IRS Publishes Two New FAQs for Small and Mid-Sized Employers Under ARPA
- Spring 2021 Regulatory Agenda Released
- OSHA Releases COVID-19 Guidance for Health Care Workers and Updates Guidance for Other Industries
Aon Washington Report - 06/09/2021
- President Biden Releases Fiscal Year 2022 Blueprint
- HHS Announces 31 Million Individuals Covered Under ACA
- Departments Release FAQs on Limitations on Cost-Sharing Under ACA
- EEOC Releases Updated COVID-19 Guidance on Employer Incentives Under EEO Laws; Publishes New Resource Page
- EEOC Issues Rules for Employers on COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates and Incentives
Aon Washington Report - 05/26/2021
- IRS Publishes Draft Forms 1094/1095-C
- IRS Publishes Draft Forms 1094/1095-B
- IRS Releases Guidance on Premium Assistance for COBRA Benefits
- IRS Issues Guidance on ARPA’s COBRA Subsidies
Aon Washington Report - 05/19/2021
- House Approves Pregnant Workers Fairness Act; Senate Passage Uncertain
- OSHA Instructs Employers to Refer to CDC Guidance for Fully Vaccinated Individuals
- “A Plan’s Gotta Know Its Limitations”: HHS, IRS Announce 2022 Limits for OOP Costs, HSAs, and HDHPs
- Biden Administration Reinstates ACA Discrimination Rules on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Aon Washington Report - 05/12/2021
- IRS Announces 2022 HSA Limits; Excepted Benefit HRA Maximum Amount
- OCR Announces That Prohibition on Sex Discrimination Includes Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity; Will Enforce Prohibitions on Sex Discrimination in Line With Supreme Court Decision
- IRS Publishes Notice on Taxability of Dependent Care Assistance Programs for 2021, 2022
- DOL Withdraws Independent Contractor Rule
- IRS Issues 2022 HSA Limits
- Aon White Paper: Lump Sum Windows - Emerging Trends and New Opportunities Amidst a Pandemic
- Aon White Paper: 2021 U.S. Pension Risk Transfer Annuity Settlement Market Update
Aon Washington Report - 05/05/2021
- HHS Announces Reimbursement Program for COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Fees Not Covered by Insurance
- CMS Releases Final Regulations on 2022 Benefit and Payment Parameters; Lowers 2022 Health Care Costs in Marketplace Plans and Publishes Second Fact Sheet
- PBGC Publishes 2019 Data Tables
Aon Washington Report - 04/28/2021
- President Biden to Address Congress Wednesday, April 28
- President Biden Calls on Employers to Provide Paid Time Off for Employees to Receive Vaccinations; IRS Reminds Employers of ARPA Tax Credit
- EEOC Opens 2019 and 2020 Component 1 Data Collection
- IRS Provides Safe Harbor for Small Businesses to Claim Deductions Relating to First-Round PPP Loans
- EEOC Announces Public Hearing to Examine Civil Rights Implications of COVID-19 in the Workplace
- OSHA Releases Guidance on Recording Adverse Vaccine Reactions
- Now Available: Retirement Legal Consulting & Compliance Quarterly Update
- IRS Issues More Guidance on Tax Credits for Paid Leave for COVID-19 Vaccinations
Aon Washington Report - 04/21/2021
- DOL Releases New Cybersecurity Guidance for Plan Sponsors, Plan Fiduciaries, Record-keepers, and Plan Participants
- DOL Issues Guidance on Investment Advice Exemption
- Treasury, IRS Request Comments for the 2021–2022 Priority Guidance Plan
Aon Washington Report - 04/14/2021
- EBSA Issues Guidance on ARPA’s COBRA Premium Assistance Provisions
- Departments Issue FAQs on Comparative Analyses Required Under Appropriations Act Amendments to MHPAEA
- IRS’s TE/GE Updates Webpage for New Employee Plans Initiatives
- IRS Provides Guidance on Temporary 100% Deduction for Business Meal Expenses
- IRS Issues Employee Retention Credit Guidance for First Two Calendar Quarters of 2021
- DOL Issues Model COBRA Notices and FAQs for ARPA’S COBRA Subsidies
- Departments Issue FAQs on Mental Health Parity Compliance
- Raising the DCSA Limit Creates Testing Issues for Employers
Aon Washington Report - 03/31/2021
- Congress Adjourns for Spring Recess
- IRS Announces Face Masks and Other Personal Protective Equipment Are Tax-Deductible and Eligible for Health Care Account Reimbursement
- President Biden, CMS Announce 2021 SEP Access Extended to August 15, 2021, for Marketplace Coverage
- EEOC Announces April 26, 2021, as Opening Date for the Collection of 2019 and 2020 EEO-1 Component 1 Data; Employers Will Have Until July 19, 2021, to Submit Two Years of EEO-1 Data
- DOL Announces Proposed 18-Month Delay to Prevailing Wage Rule Affecting Certain Immigrants and Non-Immigrants
- DOL Launches New Website for Victims of Unemployment Fraud
- IRS Says COVID-19 PPE Is Medical Care Under Code Section 213(d)
Aon Washington Report - 03/24/2021
- House Approves Bill Exempting Medicare From Budgetary Reductions
- OIG, HHS Delay Drug Rebate Rule to January 1, 2023, Due to Court Order
Aon Washington Report - 03/17/2021
- President Signs American Rescue Plan Into Law
- HHS, CMS Release Fact Sheets on ARP
- OCR, HHS Extend Comment Period for Proposed Modifications to HIPAA Privacy Rule
- DOL Releases Enforcement Policy Statement of Its Final Rules on ESG Investments, Proxy Voting by Employee Benefit Plans
- OSHA Launches National Emphasis Program to Protect High-Risk Employees from COVID-19; Updates Interim Enforcement Response Plan
- DOL Announces Two Proposed Rules to Rescind Final Rules Previously Released Related to Unfair Pay Practices
- RESCUE 4-1-1: Employer Health and Welfare Provisions in the American Rescue Plan
Aon Washington Report - 03/10/2021
- COVID-19 Relief Bill Returns to House After Senate Passage; Enactment Expected This Week
- Departments Issue More FAQs on COVID-19 Diagnostic Testing and Coverage of Coronavirus Preventive Services
Aon Washington Report - 03/03/2021
- House Passes COVID-19 Relief Bill; Moves to Senate
- House Passes Equality Act
- PBGC 2021 Premium Filing Instructions Now Available
- IRS Publishes Guidance on the Employee Retention Credit Under Section 2301 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act
- EEOC Releases FY 2020 Enforcement and Litigation Data
- DOL Issues Guidance to State Unemployment Insurance Program; Expands Eligibility for Employees Who Declined Work Due to COVID-19 Safety Concerns
- With Hours to Spare, DOL Extends COBRA, HIPAA, ERISA Deadlines
Aon Washington Report - 02/24/2021
- Court Delays Drug Rebate Rule to January 2023
- IRS Releases Guidance Providing Additional Flexibility for Health FSAs and Dependent Care Assistance Programs
- The Cafeteria Re-Opens! IRS Menu Offers More Flexibility (Again)
Aon Washington Report - 02/17/2021
- 2021 SEP for Marketplace Coverage to Run Through May 15
- DOL Confirms Investment Advice Exemption Effective as Scheduled
Aon Washington Report - 02/10/2021
- IRS Releases Employer's Tax Guide to Fringe Benefits for 2021
- FAQs—Employer-Provided Incentives for COVID-19 Vaccinations
Aon Washington Report - 02/03/2021
- HHS Announces Marketplace SEP Due to COVID-19
- DOL Announces End of Payroll Audit Independent Determination Program
- DOL Issues Stronger COVID-19 Workplace Guidance
- IRS Updates FAQs on Paid Sick and Family Leave Credits Under FFCRA
- Aon Publications on Federal Developments in 2020
- Frozen! Biden Administration Imposes Regulatory Freeze, Ices Wellness Regs and IC-HRA Rules
- Now Available: Retirement Legal Consulting & Compliance Quarterly Update
Aon Washington Report - 01/27/2021
- IRS Releases 2021 Covered Compensation Tables
- EEOC Issues 2020 Annual Performance Report
- EEOC Approves Revised Enforcement Guidance on Religious Discrimination
- 2021 Medicare Part D Disclosure Reminder
Aon Washington Report - 01/20/2021
- CMS Publishes Final Rule on Contract Year 2022 Policy and Technical Changes to the MA Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Medicaid Program, and Medicare Cost Plan Program
- CMS Releases 2022 MA and Part D Rate Announcement
- CMS Publishes Final Rule on 2022 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters
- IRS and Treasury Release Final HRA Regulations
- EBSA Issues Three Forms of Missing Participant Guidance
- After Delay Due to COVID, EEOC Schedules Openings of EEO Data Collections
- HHS Again Renews COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Declaration
- Now Available: 2021 Aon Compliance Calendar: Significant Retirement and Health & Welfare Due Dates
Aon Washington Report - 01/13/2021
- HHS Releases Final Rule Securing Updated and Necessary Statutory Evaluations as Part of RFA
- EEOC Announces Proposed Wellness Rules Under ADA and GINA
- PBGC Publishes Final Rule on Methods for Computing Withdrawal Liability, Multiemployer Pension Reform Act of 2014
- DOL/EBSA Announce New Exemption for Investment Advice Fiduciaries
- EEOC Announces New Website Concerning Systemic Enforcement
- DOL Announces Final Rule Clarifying Independent Contractor Status Under the FLSA
- IRS Releases 2020 Annual Report
- EEOC Proposes New Wellness Regulations Under the ADA and GINA
Aon Washington Report - 01/6/2021
- President Trump Signs COVID Relief and Government Funding Bill Into Law
- OCR Issues FAQs on HIPAA, Exchanges, and Disclosures of PHI for Public Health Purposes
- IRS Extends Relief to Physical Presence Requirement for Notary for Six Months
- IRS Provides COVID-19 Relief for Employers Using Automobile Lease Valuation Rule
- DOL Updates FAQs on FFCRA
- DOL Issues Guidance Supporting Workplace Flexibilities Through Virtual Communication
- IRS Issues Standard Mileage Rates for 2021
- EEOC Updates COVID Publication Addressing Vaccine Questions Related to ADA and GINA
- Employers Get Surprise Medical Billing, Price Transparency Rules, and More in COVID-Relief Act
- President Trump Signs Funding Bill Into Law; Provides Delivery of FSA Relief
- EEOC Issues Employer Guidance on COVID-19 Vaccinations