COVID-19 in Pennsylvania: Construction Return-to-Work

Denise GillinNews, Risk Management

By Timothy W. Braun, Risk Control Specialist On May 1, 2020, construction operations in Pennsylvania will be allowed to resume following mandated closure in March. On April 15, 2020, the State issued orders requiring certain practices and protections be implemented at places of business remaining open under the original stay-at-home order. These requirements still apply in addition to requirements related to construction work resuming on May 1. Read the construction return-to-work requirements. Contact Tim at 717.224.1835 or tbraun@murrayins.com.

Liability Immunity Offered by PREP Act

Denise GillinBusiness Insurance, News

By Amy G. Mitchell, CIC, CISR, Vice President, Commercial Solutions Are you manufacturing products to support the COVID-19 solution? Respirators, face shields, face masks, etc. You may be eligible for Liability Immunity offered by the PREP Act that was made effective February 4, 2020, by the Department of Health & Human Services for products used for COVID-19. “The PREP Act authorizes the Secretary to issue a declaration to provide liability immunity to certain individuals and entities (covered persons) against any claim of loss caused by, arising out of, relating to, or resulting from the manufacture, distribution, administration, or use of medical countermeasures (covered countermeasures). Under the March 10, 2020, declaration, covered countermeasures are any antiviral, any other drug, any biologic, …

Close up of a mobile phone with Coronavirus covid-19 news update. There is a patient information form in the background on the desk. The phone is being held and has an image of hand washing hygiene. (Close up of a mobile phone with Coronavirus covid-

Health Insurance Options for You and Your Family

Denise GillinHealth Benefits, Medicare, News

By Tony Montgomery, Assistant Vice President, Senior Plan Advisor In today’s uncertain times, you may be unexpectedly looking for health insurance for you and your family.  Whether you are losing your current insurance due to loss of employment or having hours reduced to where you no longer qualify for insurance through your employer, or are making a job change or looking to retire, there are a few options for healthcare coverage for you and your family. The first option is through the government Marketplace or Obamacare. These plans are normally available only during the open enrollment period of November 1 – December 15. However, if you are losing your current insurance, you may be eligible for a Special Election Period …

Why Dairy Producer Milk Was Going Down The Drain

Denise GillinAgribusiness, News

By Courtney E. Meyer, AFIS, Agribusiness Producer Dairy producers were hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. Initially, their way of doing business was changing by the hour! However, the industry is slowing coming back. Let me explain. The COVID-19 national emergency created a disruption in supply and demand for the dairy industry the beginning of April. As many farmers across the nation were asked to dump milk down the drain, the general public had a hard time understanding why since there were quantity limits on dairy purchases at the store. With schools, coffee shops and other non-essential businesses closing, the milk demand for those businesses decreased significantly. Therefore, milk processors had to figure out a way to repackage these products …

PA Department of Labor and Industry on Safety Committee Meetings During COVID-19

Denise GillinNews, Risk Management

Want to know what the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry has to say about Safety Committee meetings during these uncertain times due to the COVID-19 pandemic?   Watch Laurie Deitrich, CSP, ARM, HEM, Risk Control Specialist, provide answers to: Can our Safety Committee miss monthly meetings during the COVID-19 crisis? What happens if all committee members do not receive their annual training? Will there be any extensions to the certification deadline to get our initial or renewal application submitted? More information is available here: RC Safety Committee Training Contact Laurie at 717.572.5684 or email her.

CARES Act – Small Business Loan Overview

Denise GillinNews

In response to the American economy reeling from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the federal government recently signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Among other provisions, the CARES Act provides businesses suffering under the debilitating effects of the pandemic with unprecedented access to emergency loans. Read more about CARES Act here. The CARES Act creates an employee retention tax credit, which is designed to encourage eligible employers to keep employees on their payroll, despite experiencing economic hardship related to COVID-19. Highlights include: Employers whose business has been financially impacted by COVID-19 may be eligible for an employee retention tax credit. The amount of the credit is 50% of qualifying wages paid, up to $10,000 …

Health Plans Must Provide Free COVID-19 Testing – Legal Update

Denise GillinHealth Benefits, News

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) requires group health plans and health insurance issuers to cover COVID-19 testing without imposing any cost sharing. Key Points: Employer-sponsored group health plans must cover COVID-19 testing, without imposing a deductible, copayment or other cost sharing. This mandate applies to fully insured group health plans and self-insured group health plans. Plans and issuers must pay the provider-negotiated rate for testing (or the provider’s cash price if there is no negotiated rate). Click to read the Legal Update: Health Plans Must Provide Free Coronavirus COVID 19 Testing 03.31.20 Contact your Murray Health Benefits representative at 717.397.9600 with any questions.

Families First Coronavirus Response Act – HR Compliance

Denise GillinHealth Benefits, Human Resources, News

We’ve all heard about the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), but what does it entail? Highlights are below, but more information is available by clicking the links below. Highlights: Coronavirus relief legislation requires employers with fewer than 500 employees to provide 12 weeks of FMLA leave for child care reasons related to COVID-19. The new FMLA leave must be compensated after the first 10 days, at two-thirds of an employee’s wage, up to $200 per day. Employers must also provide 80 hours of paid sick time for specified reasons related to COVID-19. New Coronavirus Relief Law Requires Paid Employee Leave 3.27.20 More information can be found on the Department of Labor (DOL) FAQs page. Click here for the Department …