The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has been the subject of several major developments already in 2021. Healthcare providers, health plans, healthcare clearinghouses, and business associates subject to HIPAA must consider these developments to comply with HIPAA’s technical requirements through 2021 and beyond. For those entities subject to the HIPAA Privacy Rule and Security Rule, our team of HIPAA lawyers has penned an Alert describing these developments in detail.… Continue Reading
Christopher T. Cognato
Biden Administration Changes PPP Again, Announces Exclusive Window for Small Businesses, Sole Proprietors, and Independent Contractors
The Biden Administration announced further changes to the Payroll Protection Program (PPP). These changes are aimed at increasing lending to small business and independent contractors, removing barriers to borrowing, enhancing transparency, reducing fraud, and increasing the program’s engagement with other would-be borrowers.
Beginning this Wednesday, February 24, only businesses with fewer 20 employees can apply for PPP loans (first and second draw) for a period of 14 days (until March 10) to increase access by the smallest businesses.… Continue Reading
Department of Labor Suspends Rule on Tipping Pooling and Use of Tip Credit and Rescinds Opinion Letter
On January 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) suspended the Final Rule on tipped employees that it had issued on December 22, 2020. The Final Rule would have clarified tip-pooling for employees in the food service and hospitality industry, as well as how the tip credit applied to employees who perform both tipped and non-tipped duties.… Continue Reading