President Joe Biden’s administration is continuing its efforts to curb the COVID-19 pandemic and the spread of the deadly coronavirus Delta variant. Recently, the White House ordered all federal workers and contractors to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Now, the government is imposing a similar requirement on private employers. The move is estimated to affect over…
On Monday, Aug. 23, 2021, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave full approval to the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine. It is the first full approval of any coronavirus vaccine in the United States. The other vaccines, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson, are still available under emergency use authorization (EUA) granted by the FDA. The Moderna…
With a growing percentage of the United States population fully vaccinated against COVID-19, many localities and, in turn, employers, have eased mask mandates and policies. However, due to the spread of an emerging variant of coronavirus known as Delta, these policies may still need updating, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has…
Over the course of the pandemic, many employees refrained from changing jobs due to high levels of uncertainty, along with mental and physical health issues. Now, as things return to normal, experts predict a massive wave of turnover in the second half of 2021. Open enrollment this year provides a fantastic opportunity for organizations to…
The United States is experiencing a spike in COVID-19 cases, specifically in areas with low vaccination rates. A major reason for this spike is an emerging variant known as Delta, which was first seen in India in December 2020. The variant has quickly moved across the globe, and it is now circulating in the United…
With the COVID-19 vaccine becoming much more widely available across the country, the topic of returning to in-person work, school and other activities is being discussed constantly. The reopening of the country, though, comes with some uncertainties and may lead to feelings of re-entry anxiety. What Is Re-entry Anxiety? Re-entry anxiety is an overall uneasiness…
U.S. health experts have identified an emerging strain of the coronavirus known as the Delta variant. It was first seen in India, but has quickly moved across the globe. Experts predict it will soon be the dominant strain in the United States, already accounting for 10% of U.S. coronavirus cases. The good news is that…
On Thursday, March 11, 2021, President Joe Biden directed states to make all adults, ages 18 and older, eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations by May 1. The directive came during Biden’s first prime-time address, one year after the COVID-19 pandemic began and hours after signing his administration’s $1.9 trillion relief bill into law. The president announced…
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a drastic toll on individuals’ health routines. Many people have postponed preventive care during the pandemic, waiting for a safer time to visit a doctor. That time may be coming soon, so employers should be ready for health claims to surge in 2021. This potential surge is evidenced by several…
The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), signed into law March 11, 2021, provides a 100% subsidy of premiums for employer-sponsored group health insurance continued under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 (COBRA) and similar state continuation of coverage (mini-COBRA) programs. ARPA subsidies cover the full cost of COBRA or mini-COBRA premiums from April 1, 2021, through Sept….