HCM Newsfeed

Welcome to the HCM Newsfeed—your real-time source for critical updates in HR, payroll, and compliance. Here, you’ll have access to quick, timely alerts on regulatory changes, labor laws, and industry updates to help you stay informed and compliant.

Medicare Open Enrollment & Employer Compliance Deadlines Arrive Oct. 15

Every fall, Medicare Open Enrollment begins on Oct. 15, marking an important time for both employees and employers. This year, there are two key focuses: understanding new Medicare changes taking effect in 2026 and meeting important employer compliance deadlines. Medicare Open Enrollment Starts Oct. 15 Medicare Open Enrollment runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, …

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NY HERO Act – Implementation of Prevention Plans Required

New York recently passed the New York Health and Essential Rights Act (NY HERO Act), which requires employers to adopt an airborne infectious disease exposure prevention plan. It also gives employees the right to form employee-management safety committees. On September 6, 2021, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the designation of COVID-19 as an airborne infectious disease under …

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President Biden Announces COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates for Federal Employees and Large Employers

President Joe Biden’s administration is continuing its efforts to curb the COVID-19 pandemic and the spread of the coronavirus Delta variant. On September 9, 2021, 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 …

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NY HERO Act: All Employers Required to Adopt Plan by August 5, 2021

Earlier this year, New York lawmakers passed a comprehensive revamp of the State’s workplace health and safety laws, known as the HERO Act. The law is intended to “to protect employees against exposure and disease during a future airborne infectious disease outbreak.” WHAT’S REQUIRED: New York employers – regardless of size, industry, or location – …

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2024 HSA Limits

Each year the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reviews the limits for Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions as well as the minimum deductible and out-of-pocket maximums for High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs). They consider criteria such as inflation and increases in HDHP deductibles and out-of-pocket limits. On May 16th, 2023, they released Revenue Procedure 2023-24, announcing …

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COBRA Subsidy Provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)

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 …

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New York Legalizes Recreational Cannabis

New York has passed an expansive law to legalize recreational cannabis (a.k.a. marijuana). The law, called the Marijuana Regulation and Tax Act, includes strong employment protections for off-duty use, effective immediately. The law adds cannabis to New York’s existing lawful off-duty conduct law but carves out a few exceptions. As a refresher, the lawful off-duty …

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