Archived Insight | January 13, 2021

HHS Extends the National Public Health Emergency into April

The federal government has extended the COVID-19 public health emergency for an additional 90 days, until April 21, 2021.

This is the fourth extension of the emergency, which the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services initially declared on January 31, 2020 (retroactive to January 27, 2020). The secretary could terminate the public health emergency earlier than April 21, 2021 or extend it again.

National Public Health Emergency extended into April

This public emergency declaration is important to health plan sponsors because it determines the period of time during which group health plans and insurers must pay for COVID-19 tests and related services without charging cost sharing. In addition, non-grandfathered plans must cover vaccines in network as a preventive benefit, but during the public emergency must also cover it on an out-of-network basis.

Have questions about how the emergency declarations affect your health plan?

We have answers.

Get in Touch

See more insights

Businessman Working With Laptop While Sitting In Office

Treasury Proposes Rule on Automatic Enrollment

Sponsors of "new" 401(k) and 403(b) plans: Learn about this guidance so you can decide whether to comment by the March 17, 2025 deadline.

Compliance, Retirement, Multiemployer Plans, Public Sector, Healthcare Industry, Higher Education, Architecture Engineering & Construction, Corporate

Read Full Insight

Pregnant Businesswoman Writing On A Blackboard

2025 PBGC Premium Filing Is Due One Month Earlier

See the new filing date based on your plan year start date.

Retirement, Compliance, Multiemployer Plans, Healthcare Industry, Higher Education, Architecture Engineering & Construction

Read Full Insight

Children With Grandfather Having Fun On A Winter Day

Social Security Benefits Will Rise for Some Retirees

Sponsors of Public Sector Plans: Learn About the Implications of the Social Security Fairness Act of 2024

Compliance, Retirement, Public Sector

Read Full Insight

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax or investment advice. You are encouraged to discuss the issues raised here with your legal, tax and other advisors before determining how the issues apply to your specific situations.