Law Office of Elliot S. Isaac, P.C.

Significant Changes to Health Insurance Law Benefit Employees

2024-09-30T05:51:37Z

The Biden Covid-19 Stimulus Plan contains two very significant benefits for employees who lose their company-sponsored health insurance. First, if you are eligible for COBRA continuation coverage, starting April 1, 2021 you may elect COBRA and for six months the Company will pay the full amount of the COBRA premium subject to reimbursement by the Federal Government. Second, the available subsidy for Obamacare premiums has increased drastically and will significantly boost the subsidy for middle class workers. So, if you lose your company-sponsored health insurance, you should be able to continue your health insurance coverage at no-cost or a reasonable cost to you.

Affordable Care Act Exchanges Have Reopened

2024-09-30T05:51:47Z

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, starting February 15, 2021 and for the next 3 months, the healthcare exchanges in Arizona have re-opened. Many people currently without insurance can obtain coverage that is free or modestly priced. Just go to www.healthcare.gov to see what options you have. In Arizona, the open enrollment period is typically in December for the following year. And if you lose your job, and coverage from your employer, you have a limited period of time to elect COBRA or gain access to the exchange through a special enrollment event, e.g., firing at work or divorce. But starting February 15, 2021, and for three (3) months thereafter, the exchanges are now open again. Obviously, if you are without health insurance because you lost your job, or for any other reason, this is an excellent opportunity to acquire insurance.

Possible New Work Structure

2024-09-30T05:51:56Z

We are accustomed to working 9-5 Monday through Friday. But in light of Covid-19, that may be changing to a 3-2-2 schedule: 3 days in the office, 2 days working from home, and 2 days off. The benefit of this arrangement is that it would offer workers greater flexibility, provide companies with increased productivity, and limit pollution and other issues associated with commuting. In the past, companies have experimented with full telecommuting or 4-day work weeks with little success. The 3-2-2 structure seems a lot more promising. As we recover from Covid-19 (hopefully), you may want to consider implementing this plan.

New Marijuana Law and Your Employment

2024-09-30T05:52:05Z

With the passage of Proposition 207, which legalized recreational marijuana, you may be tempted to allow your medical marijuana card to lapse. Be careful if you do this. Please recall that if you have a medical marijuana card, your employer, with few exceptions, cannot fire you or refuse to hire you because of a positive test for marijuana. So, if you want to prevent your company from firing you (or failing to hire you) because of a positive medical marijuana test, please make sure that you have a current medical marijuana card. It costs money, but it may save your job in the long run.

Welcome To Our Arizona Employment Law Blog

2024-09-30T05:52:13Z

We established this blog to share stories and information about topics relevant to our practice. Our intent is to regularly provide posts highlighting legal issues of local, state and national interest that we think you will find interesting. Check back later for updates.