Archived Insight | January 13, 2021

HHS Extends the National Public Health Emergency into April

The federal government has extended the COVID-19 public health emergency for an additional 90 days, until April 21, 2021.

This is the fourth extension of the emergency, which the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services initially declared on January 31, 2020 (retroactive to January 27, 2020). The secretary could terminate the public health emergency earlier than April 21, 2021 or extend it again.

National Public Health Emergency extended into April

This public emergency declaration is important to health plan sponsors because it determines the period of time during which group health plans and insurers must pay for COVID-19 tests and related services without charging cost sharing. In addition, non-grandfathered plans must cover vaccines in network as a preventive benefit, but during the public emergency must also cover it on an out-of-network basis.

Have questions about how the emergency declarations affect your health plan?

We have answers.

Get in Touch

See more insights

Japanese Businesswoman Checking Schedule In Her Notebook

Year-End Compliance Reminders for Retirement Plan Sponsors

Get on top of 2025 compliance season: key deadlines, Roth catch-up rules, SECURE Act updates and operational tips for retirement plan sponsors.

Retirement, Compliance, Multiemployer Plans, Public Sector, Healthcare Industry, Higher Education, Architecture Engineering & Construction, Corporate

Read Full Insight

Businesswomen Using Tablet And Reviewing Data Charts

Slight Increase in Model Pension Plan’s Funded Status

In Q3 2025, the funded status of our model private sector single-employer pension plan rose 2 points to 107%. Learn why in the latest Prism.

Retirement, Investment, Corporate

Read Full Insight

A Lawyer And The Jury In A Courtroom

Why Commercial Umbrella Insurance Is No Longer Optional

As social inflation impacts the complexity of insurance claims, Umbrella insurance can be a critical safeguard against related catastrophic losses.

Insurance, Multiemployer Plans, Public Sector, Healthcare Industry, Higher Education, Architecture Engineering & Construction, Corporate

Read Full Insight

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax or investment advice. You are encouraged to discuss the issues raised here with your legal, tax and other advisors before determining how the issues apply to your specific situations.