TRI-AD is here to help our clients and participants through this unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. We are doing our part to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. Effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020, we implemented the portion of our Business Continuation Plan that requires all TRI-AD Associates to work from home. Our team is continuously monitoring legislative changes and public health announcements to keep our clients well-informed so they may best navigate the complexities of the Coronavirus Pandemic now and in the future.

COBRA subsidy faq

COVID-19 Resources

Employers:

Employee Care Card

Show employees you care with tax-free financial assistance to help with basic needs during this crisis. Employers have the flexibility to help their employees with what they need most: groceries, office supplies, educational enrichment, healthcare, and more. Learn More.

WEB SEMINARS:

TRI-AD Client Web Seminar: COBRA and FSA Relief Through ARPA and CAA

BLOGS: 

End of the National Emergency and Outbreak Period

Health and Welfare COVID-19 Extended Deadlines to End Soon

IRS Notice 2022-27 Extends the Temporary Relief from the Physical Presence Requirement Through December 31, 2022

Health and Welfare and Retirement Extended (again) Due to COVID-19

Benefits that Attract and Retain Employees as We Emerge from the Pandemic

Insurance Companies and Group Health Plans to Cover the Cost of At-Home COVID-19 Tests

IRS Guidance on COBRA Enrollment and Payment Deadlines, Notice 2021-58

COVID 19 Test Kits are Eligible Expenses in FSA, HSA, HRA

ARPA COBRA Subsidy Ending Soon

IRS Issues Additional ARPA COBRA Guidance Notice 2021-46

IRS Notice 2021-31: Subsidy Calculation and Claiming the Credit

Overview of IRS Guidance for COBRA Subsidy under ARPA

IRS Guidance for COBRA Subsidy: Involuntary Terminations and Reduction of Hours

IRS Issues Guidance on Taxability of Dependent Care FSA for 2021 & 2022

DOL Provides Model Notices and FAQs for ARPA COBRA Subsidy

IRS Announces PPE as Qualified Medical Expense

Increase in Dependent Care FSA Under the American Rescue Plan Act

COBRA Premium Subsidy Under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021

DOL Issues Additional Guidance on Outbreak Period

COVID-19 Vaccine Incentives

“Outbreak Period” Ending February 28, 2021?

Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021: FSA Provisions

COVID-19 Health & Welfare Plans Guidance: Are We Still in the “Outbreak Period?”

What Options are Available in a Dependent Care FSA Now?

IRS Guidance/Relief for Suspension of Safe Harbor Contributions for 2020

CARES Act: Retirement Plan Provisions

FAQ on Extended Period for Flexible Spending Accounts

CARES Act: “In Person” Signature Witness Relief Provided for Retirement Plans 

COVID-19: New IRS and DOL COBRA and HIPAA Guidance Chart

COVID-19: New IRS and DOL Cafeteria Plans Guidance Chart

IRS Notices 2020-29 and 2020-33 – Options for Employers

IRS/DOL Extend FSA Claims Deadlines

IRS COVID-19 Guidance – IRS Publishes Two Notices – Changes to Cafeteria Plans

Government Agencies Provide Deadline Relief for Health and Welfare Employee Benefit Plans

Status of TRI-AD’s COVID-19 Response

Coronavirus Testing and Treatment is Covered by HDHPs

COVID-19 Layoffs – Partial Retirement Plan Termination?

COVID-19 Relief: Extended Deadlines for Tax Return Filings and Contributions due on April 15, 2020

COVID-19 Relief: A Benefit Plans Overview of the CARES Act

COVID-19 and Impact on Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts

CARES Act of 2020 – FSA/HSA Expanded Eligible Expenses and Educational Assistance Provisions

Introducing: The Employee Care Card

COVID-19 Relief: Changing Employer Retirement Plan Contributions

We are prepared to do everything we can to partner with our clients through these difficult times and welcome your thoughts, feedback or other ideas on how we can potentially assist you. Here are a few ways that TRI-AD is working with our clients and is prepared to assist:

COBRA 
While it is unclear at this time if government-subsidized COBRA will be made available (like ARRA in 2009), TRI-AD stands ready to support you and your employees in a caring, helpful, and empathetic manner if reductions in force are unavoidable. TRI-AD is adept at managing any type of subsidy that an employer may wish to provide, and our call center representatives are trained and prepared to guide your impacted employees.

Direct Billing
For employers that are anticipating leaves, furloughs, or a short-term reduction in staff without terminations, TRI-AD offers Direct Billing services. With this service, TRI-AD can invoice employees who wish to continue their group benefits but are not receiving a paycheck to take deductions. Like COBRA, the invoice can be for the full premium amount, the equivalent of what the payroll deduction would have been, or a different defined amount.

Reimbursement Plans
As you may know, TRI-AD supports many different types of Reimbursement plans, pre-tax and post-tax. Post-tax plans allow for a great deal of flexibility in plan design and structure. We can offer a debit card that enables employers to offer targeted financial support for their employees in the form of a convenient, pre-funded debit card. It gives employers a highly flexible and configurable way to provide financial aid to their employees. Unlike cash or gift cards, employers control how the dollars can be spent, preserve unspent dollars, and gain access to real-time insights into employee spending trends – with a turnkey program that doesn’t add work for already-stretched internal resources. If you prefer a non-debit card solution or one that is more focused on specific expenses, we are positioned to assist you with that, as well.

Retirement Plans
TRI-AD is assisting our retirement clients to implement the provisions of the CARES Act passed into law on March 27, 2020.  As employers are dealing with coronavirus-related issues for their own businesses, TRI-AD can provide peace of mind by quickly implementing the new provisions so our clients’ employees can have better access to their retirement funds if necessary.  We are posting COVID-19 and CARES Act FAQs to participants’ online accounts so when they access their accounts, there are resources and answers available there. TRI-AD Participant Services representatives are prepared to answer participant questions on these matters, as well.  We are here to assist you and your employees with all related retirement plan (including COVID-19) questions.

Accessing your Benefits

Participants/Employees:

TRI-AD is committed to ensuring access to benefits and providing exceptional service.  Stay connected through:

TRI-AD and our Associates’ suggestions or recommendations shall not constitute legal advice. No content on our website can be construed as tax or legal advice and TRI-AD may not be considered your legal counsel or tax advisor. Clients are encouraged to consult with their tax advisor and/or attorney to determine their legal rights, responsibilities, and liabilities. This includes the interpretation of any statute or regulation, federal, state or local; and/or its application to the clients’ business activities.