Articles
COVID-19 National Emergency Ends
COVID-19 National Emergency extensions are coming to an end. In April 2020, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor, Internal Revenue Service and Department of the Treasury (the “Agencies”) released EBSA Disaster Relief N...
American Rescue Plan Act
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“American Rescue Plan” or “ARPA”) was approved by the House and Senate, and President Biden signed this bill into law on Thursday, March 11, 2021. The American Rescue Plan is the latest COVID-19 relief bill and ...
Electing Plan Changes for the American Rescue Plan Act
If you would like to make plan changes in relation to the American Rescue Plan Act, please click here to notify Sentinel of your election. Once your submission is received and the details are confirmed, Sentinel will make the appropriate updates...
PPE Now FSA/HSA Eligible
On Friday, March 26, 2021, the IRS released Announcement 2021-7 , which states that amounts paid for personal protective equipment (PPE) used for the primary purpose of preventing the spread of COVID-19 now qualify for medical care under § 213(d) ...
Claim Filing Runout Period Extension
On Wednesday, April 29, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor, Internal Revenue Service, and Department of the Treasury (the “Agencies”) released a final rule (“final rule,” or “rule”) which altered and extended the time...
Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021
On Monday, December 21, 2020, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 . Included in the volume of text were several items related to Flexible Spending Account (FSA) relief. Here is an overview of the key FSA provisions: Full FSA...
Electing Plan Changes for Consolidated Appropriations Act
If you would like to make any plan changes in relation to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, please click here to notify Sentinel of your elections. Once your submission is received and the details are confirmed, Sentinel will make the appropr...
Election Changes & Payroll Deductions
On Tuesday, May 12, 2020, the IRS issued Notice 2020-29 and Notice 2020-33 . These Notices included major changes to Section 125 and FSA benefits that may be financially beneficial to plan participants. Some provisions, however, require adoption...
Eligible Expense Period Extension
On Tuesday, May 12, 2020, the IRS issued Notice 2020-29 and Notice 2020-33 . These Notices included major changes to Section 125 and FSA benefits that may be financially beneficial to plan participants. Some provisions, however, require adoption...
FSA Rollover Amount Increase
On Tuesday, May 12, 2020, the IRS issued Notice 2020-29 and Notice 2020-33 . These Notices included major changes to Section 125 and FSA benefits that may be financially beneficial to plan participants. Some provisions, however, require adoption...
CARES Act - New Eligible Expenses
The Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) signed into law on Friday, March 27, 2020 includes an important change to reimbursement plans. Among other provisions, the bill permanently reinstates coverage of over-the-counter (OTC...
Furloughed Employees
In the event that your organization is in the position that employees must be placed on furlough, it is generally acceptable to treat these situations as an unpaid leave of absence. Please speak with our account manager for additional details and to...
Sentinel's Service Commitment
As our valued client, we want to assure you that we are committed to providing continued service to you and your plan participants throughout the duration of the Coronavirus outbreak. While our employees have not been directly affected by the virus ...