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America’s New COVID-19 Relief Package — Unpacked

Client Alert
March 23, 2021

On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the highly anticipated American Rescue Plan Act (the “Act”) into law, a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill aimed at addressing and resolving many of the lingering questions and concerns following the expiration of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”) on December 31, 2020.

Among the most notable provisions of the Act include the following:

FFCRA Tax Credit Extension | While employers are no longer mandated to provide paid sick leave to covered employees under the FFCRA, the Act grants an extension to the government tax credit previously provided to employers under the FFCRA if an employer elects to continue such paid time off to its employees. This tax credit remains available through September 2021 for employers with fewer than 500 employees. In addition, the Act now gives paid family leave for 12 weeks, instead of 10 weeks, ultimately providing an employee 14 weeks of paid leave when including the paid sick leave. Finally, the Act resets an employee’s FFCRA availability beginning on April 1, 2021. Meaning, any FFCRA time used before April 1, 2021 will not count against the employee’s leave entitlement after April 1, 2021.

COBRA Coverage | Also through September 2021, the federal government will subsidize the entirety of COBRA premiums for employees (and their covered family members) facing layoffs, ensuring health insurance coverage despite COVID unemployment concerns.

Unemployment Benefits | Prior to the passage of the Act, the weekly $300 unemployment supplement was set to expire in mid-March; however, now, these supplemental payments have been extended through September 6, 2021 — the first $10,200 of which will be tax-free for households earning up to $150,000. The Act additionally provides new protections for self-employed workers otherwise uncovered by state benefits.

Based on the changes to the FFCRA and the increased availability of vaccines, we recommend that clients consider revoking their FFCRA leave policies to avoid renewed employee eligibility for paid leave, including increased paid family leave for 12 weeks. If employers continue to provide paid leave under the FFCRA, they will remain eligible for payroll tax credits, up to the permitted maximums, for eligible leave time, through September 30, 2021.

As businesses across the country witnessed firsthand last year, federal and state legislation related to the COVID-19 pandemic is ever-evolving and requires a watchful eye to remain in the know. For more information on any of the above-provisions or for any questions related to the American Rescue Plan Act, please contact BMD Labor and Employment Partner Bryan Meek at bmeek@bmdllc.com or 330.253.5586.

Thank you to Monica Andress for her assistance drafting this Client Alert.

Labor and Employment LawBryan MeekAmerican Rescue PlanCOVID-19
Client Alert

Ohio Board of Nursing Proposes Rule Changes for Nurses

January 14, 2026On Monday, January 12, 2026, the Ohio Board of Nursing (“BON”) released a package of proposed changes to the Ohio Administrative Code. There are two proposed changes to continuing education requirements that Ohio nurses should be watching.Client Alert

New Florida Law: Patient Overpayments Must Be Refunded Within 30 Days

December 22, 2025Effective January 1, 2026, Florida Senate Bill 1808 requires health care facilities and practitioners to refund patient overpayments within 30 days after an overpayment is identified. The law applies to overpayments tied to claims submitted to government programs or private insurers and introduces fines and disciplinary consequences for noncompliance. Providers should review billing and payment practices now to prepare for the new requirements.Client Alert

USCIS Policy Change Impacting Work Authorization: Advisory for Employers and Human Resources

December 8, 2025USCIS has issued a policy memorandum pausing immigration benefit processing for individuals from 19 high-risk countries and requiring a re-review of certain previously approved cases. This change may affect work authorization, employment verification, and workforce stability. Employers and HR teams should review impacted employees and update compliance procedures.Client Alert

CMS Releases CY 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule with Key Payment and Telehealth Updates

December 4, 2025CMS issued the CY 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule on October 31, 2025, with changes effective January 1, 2026. The Final Rule includes increases to the conversion factor, a new efficiency adjustment, updates to practice expense methodology, permanent telehealth policy changes, revised payment for skin substitutes, expanded rules for Part B drugs and biologicals, enhanced policies for Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers, and new care management and behavioral health services.Client Alert

Ohio Department of Medicaid Updates: Key Changes to Physician Reimbursement Rates in Early Parenthood

December 3, 2025The Ohio Department of Medicaid has proposed amending Ohio Administrative Code Rule related to covered Medicaid reimbursements for physicians. Beginning on January 1, 2026, they are proposing an increase to rates for prenatal care, childbirth, and infant care and provider visits.
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