Healthcare Archives - Wiss & Company, LLP

NY HERO Act Activation

Written on September 14, 2021. Posted in Healthcare, Human Resources.

By Lisa Calick, Director, HR Advisory As mentioned in our earlier blog, What You Need to Know About the HERO Act, NY private employers were obligated to develop a safety plan should COVID-19 ever be designated an infectious disease. New York’s Governor Hochul has now made this designation, thus triggering activation of the safety plans created by employers under the NY HERO Act. As a result of this designation, NY employers must implement the plans they had adopted. Employers...

Biden’s Announcement on Employer Vaccine Mandates

Written on September 13, 2021. Posted in General Business, Healthcare, Human Resources, Small Business.

By Lisa Calick, Director, HR Advisory Employers have been grappling with whether to enforce vaccine mandates in their companies, however President Biden’s recent Executive Order may now take that decision out of their hands. Late last week, the President announced his multi-level strategy for combatting the continued spread of COVID-19 – a key piece of which includes sweeping vaccine mandates for many employers. The mandate for private employers affects those with 100...

What You Need to Know About the HERO Act

Written on July 30, 2021. Posted in Healthcare, Human Resources.

By Lisa Calick, Director, HR Advisory Private employers with worksites in New York State will soon need to comply with the New York Health and Essential Rights Act (HERO Act), recently signed into law by Governor Cuomo. This Act mandates all employers to adopt a written plan that meets minimum standards that are designed to combat the spread of infectious disease in the workplace. The New York State Department of Labor has published a model standard and model template...

The Masks are Off! …Or Are They?

Written on June 1, 2021. Posted in Healthcare, Human Resources.

By Lisa Calick, Director, HR Advisory Business leaders are grappling with how to manage company practices regarding mask mandates and vaccinations. The CDC’s recent announcement that fully vaccinated individuals do not have to wear masks or social distance, except in limited circumstances, is welcome news to so many people. Employers need to tread carefully, however since many states and localities have their own legislative requirements that companies may still need...

COBRA Model Notices Issued by Department of Labor

Written on April 9, 2021. Posted in General Business, Healthcare, Human Resources.

By Lisa Calick, Director, HR Advisory The Department of Labor has now released model notices as well as additional guidance regarding the COBRA premium subsidies provided under the American Rescue Plan Act. You can review our recent blog for background on the original Act. The model notices and election forms can be found on the Department of Labor website, and are summarized below. These notices can be used to help employers satisfy the new notice requirements under...

New York State Paid Leave for COVID Vaccine

Written on March 16, 2021. Posted in General Business, Healthcare, Human Resources.

By Lisa Calick, Director, HR Advisory New York State employers will now be required to provide paid leave to employees who receive the COVID vaccine. The recently passed legislation, already signed into law by Governor Cuomo, takes effect immediately and ends December 31, 2022. The new law requires all employers in New York State to provide their workers with a “sufficient period of time, not to exceed four hours”, for each injection. Employees must be paid their regular...

American Rescue Plan: Free COBRA Coverage

Written on March 12, 2021. Posted in Financial Planning, Healthcare, Human Resources.

By Lisa Calick, Director, HR Advisory The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), now signed by President Biden, includes important changes which employers need to be aware of regarding COBRA coverage for certain eligible employees and their dependents. It provides up to 6 months of free COBRA coverage for Assistance Eligible Individuals, a special COBRA enrollment window, and new notice obligations. Premium Subsidy for Assistance Eligible Individuals One of the major provisions...

How Companies Can Plan To Reopen the Office

Written on June 12, 2020. Posted in General Business, Healthcare.

By Lisa Calick States have begun to ease restrictions put on businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including laying out timelines for when many businesses may open. Companies now face significant challenges regarding how to reopen their offices safely. A carefully planned approach to returning to work will be necessary to make sure workers are safe and confident and that the business can thrive. Planning the Approach The approach to opening is fairly straightforward — plan, open...

Families First Coronavirus Response Act

Written on March 19, 2020. Posted in Healthcare, Human Resources.

By Lisa Calick President Trump has now signed into law the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, providing emergency economic relief and support to American workers who may be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Act applies to businesses with less than 500 employees and will take effect on April 2, 2020. There are two main aspects of the Act as outlined below: Emergency Paid Sick Leave This portion of the Act allows eligible employees to take two weeks of paid sick leave in...

How U.S. Healthcare Organizations can Secure Their Operations to Better Support Patient Care

Written on March 18, 2020. Posted in Healthcare.

by Michael Castle Uncertainty still abounds on whether and how the virus could mutate as well as how many waves of the outbreak might take place. And with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warning that it’s no longer a matter of if but when the coronavirus spreads further within the United States, patient care is priority #1. Still, for U.S. healthcare organizations, business continuity management is critical, and they must have a proper risk plan in place sooner...