On April 10, 2023, President Biden signed a resolution ending the National Emergency (NE) as of that date. While the
NE has ended early, the presidential action does not affect the Public Health Emergency (PHE), which is still set to
expire on May 11. 

How does this affect employee benefit plans?
Based on informal guidance from the Department of Labor (DOL), it does not.

The NE and PHE affect different aspects of employee benefit plans. As you may recall, the NE sets forth the tolling of
deadlines for purposes of COBRA, HIPAA special enrollment, claims submission, claim appeals, and independent third-party review of denied claims. This tolling of deadlines is called the Outbreak Period, which ends the earlier of (1) one
year after the individual was first entitled to relief; or (2) 60 days after the expiration of the NE (or another date
announced by DOL, the Treasury Department, and the IRS). Once the Outbreak Period ends, regular deadlines are back
in effect.

Although the NE ended on April 10, the DOL maintains that the Outbreak Period will continue to run through July 10,
2023 (60 days after the anticipated NE end of May 11).

The PHE, on the other hand, expired on May 11 and affects COVID-related benefits offered under health plans.

The government recently released frequently asked questions (FAQs) to provide clarification and additional guidance regarding the end of both the NE and PHE. 

​​Key Takeaways

• The COVID-19 NE ends on April 10, 2023. However, per informal DOL guidance, this will not impact the Outbreak

Period. 

• The tolling of deadlines under the Outbreak Period will not extend beyond July 10, 2023 (60 days after the initial May 11 anticipated end to the NE).
• The COVID-19 PHE expired on May 11, 2023.
• New FAQs were issued, which further explain the impact of the ending of NE and PHE on employee benefit plans.
• COVID-19 testing, and treatment will no longer be required free of charge after the PHE expires; however, continuing to provide these services without cost-sharing will not affect HDHP/HSA status until further government notice.
• COVID-19 vaccines must still be provided in-network without cost-sharing by non-grandfathered plans (or out-of network if no in-network provider can provide the service).
• Employee notice and communication are required for material modification in plan benefits.

This information is provided by Lockton Companies, which administers the Minnesota Credit Union Employee Benefits Plan. ​Login to view the full alert.

As your trade association, the Minnesota Credit Union Network is committed to helping the credit unions prosper and thrive by finding the right solutions to navigate logistical, economical, and regulatory obstacles.

MnCUN is pleased to introduce a new, biweekly newsletter, ACCELERATION to provide credit unions with the latest on consumer trends, training opportunities and products that will help your credit union meet the financial needs of your members. 

​ACCELERATION will be delivered to inboxes every other Monday at 1 p.m. starting on June 5. You can choose which types of communications to receive by logging into the Member Portal and navigating to the "Edit this Profile" section and choose the “Update Your Preferences” section to review and manage your subscriptions.

Invest in the Community Investment Fund (CIF) or Charitable Donation Account (CDA) to support the improvement of member financial well-being. These unique investments provide credit unions the opportunity to donate a portion of the earnings to both the Minnesota Credit Union Foundation and the National Credit Union Foundation. Investment options are available through several corporate credit union partners, and include Certificates of Deposit, Money Market accounts, or CIF Securities Options.

​These earnings help to fund grant programs that support initiatives designed to directly improve the lives of credit union members. Services include financial literacy education, professional training, and emergency assistance – on both the state and national levels.

For more information on how the CIF and CDA programs work, please visit the National Credit Union Foundation website or contact Andrea Molnau, Executive Director, Minnesota Credit Union Foundation by email or by phone at 651-288-5527.

Minnesota Credit Union Network committees are made up of credit union professionals who volunteer their time to serve the Minnesota credit union movement. Representing credit unions of all sizes and from across the state, committee members help to further a variety of objectives from political and regulatory advocacy to awareness and recognition. 

​​​​​The following individuals have been appointed to serve on MnCUN Committees:                                                     
     

Join the Minnesota Credit Union Network and partners for another year of spreading kindness on CU Forward Day 2023, Monday, October 9! This year, the kindness day initiative will include partner organizations, volunteer opportunities, and further ways to participate and demonstrate the "people helping people" philosophy. 

​​Please register to confirm your credit union's interest and/or participation in CU Forward Day 2023. Kindness day coordinators will receive communications regarding informational kickoff webinar and planning meetings on Wednesday, July 19 at 10 a.m. CU Forward Day coordinators, credit union leadership and staff are all welcome to join as planning gets underway.

​With questions, please contact Director of Engagement, Xiong Lee, via email or by phone at (612) 802-7695.

CFPB Circular on Unilateral Re-Opening of Closed Deposit Accounts: The CFPB has found that financial institution(s) engage in an unfair practice by unilaterally reopening deposit accounts a consumer previously closed without seeking prior authorization or providing timely notice.

Minnesota Legislative Update: The constitutional deadline for the Minnesota Legislature to adjourn is less than a week away and Minnesota Credit Union Network staff are watching as the two-year budget is formed and monitoring for the impact on credit unions. 

​Minnesota FMLA Bill Summary: The House (HF2) and Senate (SF2) FMLA bills have been passed by the House and Senate and are currently in a conference committee.

​Join us for the Minnesota Credit Union Women’s Leadership Network Summer Luncheon, in person, on July 27, from 10:30 to 1:30 at Willow Creek Golf & Event Center in Rochester.

We will continue our series on Leading through Change with a panel discussion on the external forces that impact our credit unions. Current credit union leaders will share economic and consumer trends that are affecting how their credit unions do business, with the goal of attendees leaving with a broader understanding of how those trends impact their role - at any level of the organization.

​As we return to in-person events, we are excited to also bring back an optional Give Back opportunity for attendees. We will be conducting a Sheets and Towels Drive for Rochester’s Women's Shelter and Support Center (womens-shelter.org). Please consider bringing a set of new twin sheets or new towels to donate to the shelter. Monetary donations are also welcome. Rochester’s Women’s Shelter Executive Director, Artyce Thomas, will also be in attendance to share the impact of their work in the local community.  

For more information about the Minnesota Credit Union Women’s Leadership Network, visit the group page online. With questions, contact Vice President of Communications and Engagement Andrea Molnau.

​The credit union ecosystem is built on the foundation of people helping people. At the same time, it is also continuously evolving to serve members as they navigate an increasingly digital world. By tapping into the rare collaborative power of the movement, CUNA Mutual Group’s Discovery2023 conference will provide inspiration, clarity, and purpose; motivating attendees to accelerate the development of their digital financial ecosystems of the future. 

​This year’s conference will offer energizing virtual sessions inspiring credit union leaders to embrace change and confront uncertainty with confidence. Thought leaders from in and outside the industry will show us how to lean into the core strengths of the credit union digital ecosystem, while also exploring what’s on the horizon. You can expect sessions on:

• Credit Union Industry Trends
• Economy
• Lending
• Leadership and Development
• Member Experience
• And more!

​Collaboration is the lifeblood of the credit union movement, so join CUNA Mutual Group on August 10, 2023, for an all-day, immersive (and free!) experience.