Preview Mode Links will not work in preview mode

A former podcast from Lockton’s ERISA Compliance Consulting team 

You’ve reached the home of ERISA is a Friend of Mine, an informal and informational podcast series that Lockton’s ERISA Compliance Consulting team produced from 2019 to 2022. Scroll down to view and listen to any of the podcast episodes. NOTE: These podcasts have not been updated since their publication dates.

For the latest information and content on ERISA and other employee benefits issues, click below to visit Lockton’s Compliance Consulting webpage, and to learn more about our services and Lockton People Solutions.

Visit Lockton.com.

  1. All Episodes
  2. COVID-19: The benefits implications of a pandemic in the making

COVID-19: The benefits implications of a pandemic in the making

Mar 16, 2020

In this special episode, Ed and Scott tone things down a bit but still bring their “A” game, and plenty of hand sanitizer, to take on a serious topic … the new coronavirus, or COVID-19.  Joined by experts Pam Popp, President of Lockton Retirement Services, and Stacie Engelmann, Senior HR Consultant, this episode tackles some of the key elements of employee benefits plans and HR policies that COVID-19 is sure to trigger questions about.

  • Can employers limit a health plan’s coverage of coronavirus treatment? Should they?
  • How does HIPAA effect how and what you can communicate about an employee that has contracted or been exposed to the virus?
  • What are some of the factors actuaries are taking in to account to estimate potential cost?
  • How can COVID-19 impact retirement plans? How far is this going to delay Ed’s retirement timeline?
  • What would an HR policy around COVID-19, or a similar situation, contain?
  • What can and should an employer do to prepare for an employee having, or being exposed to, the coronavirus?
  • What are they doing on Capitol Hill? (Scott spends a lot of time there you know.)
  • Insurers are waiving deductibles for COVID-19 testing, but does that blow up HSA plans?
  • If this episode isn’t legal, medical or investment advice, then what the heck is it?

NOTE: After recording this episode, and shortly before its release, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation that would expand paid sick and family leave to employees of governmental entities, and private employers with fewer than 500 employees. The bill would also require health plans (including self-insured plans) to cover coronavirus testing at no cost. The Senate is working on passing the measure this week.