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247 Matching News Items
1.
HIPAA Final Rule Requires Changes for Group Health Plans in Supporting Reproductive Health Care Privacy
Lockton
May 2, 2024
Lockton
May 2, 2024
"While most PHI related to reproductive health care will remain in the hands of third-party administrators and insurance carriers, the new rules will require action on the part of employers with self-funded group health plans (or insured plans with access to PHI) by Dec. 22, 2024.... [E]mployers will need to: [1] Provide training; [2] Revise policies and procedures; [3] Update the Notice of Privacy Practices (by February 16, 2026); [4] Develop an attestation form."
2.
House HELP Subcommittee Hearing: ERISA’s 50th Anniversary: the Path to Higher Quality, Lower Cost Health Care
Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions, Committee on Education and the Workforce, U.S. House of Representatives
Apr. 16, 2024
Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions, Committee on Education and the Workforce, U.S. House of Representatives
Apr. 16, 2024
Video of Apr. 16 hearing. Opening statement, Rep. Bob Good (R-VA); testimony from [1] Mr. Russell DuBose, Phifer Inc.; [2] Ms. Mairin Mancino, Peterson Center on Healthcare; [3] Ms. Karen L. Handorf, Berger Montague; and [4] Mr. Scott Behrens, Lockton Companies.
3.
Agencies Issue Final Regs for Fixed Indemnity Coverage
Lockton
Apr. 1, 2024
Lockton
Apr. 1, 2024
"The rules will require that group coverage contain a new consumer protection notice explaining the coverage is not comprehensive, major-medical coverage. The plan must present the notice to prospective enrollees at enrollment time and re-enrollment. The new model notice that will be required for group coverage is included [in this article]."
4.
Upcoming Key Health Plan Compliance Deadlines and Reminders for Second Quarter 2024
Lockton
Mar. 18, 2024
Lockton
Mar. 18, 2024
"[These reminders cover] standard federal deadlines and select state and local deadlines.... Deadlines may or may not be applicable to your group, depending on the employer and plan characteristics."
5.
Hype of New Weight Drugs Ignores Complex Full Story
Lockton
Mar. 12, 2024
Lockton
Mar. 12, 2024
"Some companies are now facing employee questions/demands to cover the new weight loss medications ... Employers that opted to cover them, quickly found these drugs soared to their top five most expensive health plan costs within 90 days of initiating coverage ... The reality is the benefit of these new weight loss drugs in the health journey of Americans struggling with obesity remains an open question as sustained use is required to measure their long-term effects."
6.
J&J Health Plan Lawsuit Provides Reminder of Fiduciary Duties for Group Health Plans
Lockton
Feb. 14, 2024
Lockton
Feb. 14, 2024
"This lawsuit is an example of the recent uptick in impending lawsuits regarding compliance with recent transparency rules, reinforcing the need for ERISA fiduciary governance.... Action steps include considering the formation of a health and welfare benefits committee to monitor ERISA benefits, including the selection of service providers, reviewing contract terms, ensuring appropriate value for the price, and monitoring service providers and aggregate costs." [Lewandowski v. Johnson & Johnson, No. 24-0671 (D.N.J. complaint filed Feb. 5, 2024)]
7.
Reminder: CMS Medicare Part D Reporting Due Feb. 29, 2024 for Calendar Year Plans
Lockton
Feb. 5, 2024
Lockton
Feb. 5, 2024
"This reporting obligation encompasses both self-funded and fully insured group health plans, and it is mandatory, regardless of whether the prescription drug coverage functions as the primary or secondary option alongside Medicare.... Completing the disclosure to CMS form ... Disclosure to plan participants ... Plans exempt from the filing process."
8.
DOL Increases 2024 Penalty Amounts for Health and Welfare Benefit Plan Violations
Lockton
Jan. 17, 2024
Lockton
Jan. 17, 2024
"[1] Failure to timely file annual report Form 5500 subjects a plan sponsor to a penalty of $2,670 per day ... EBSA offers an amnesty program ... for late filers that voluntarily submit tardy Forms 5500.... [2] Failure to file annual report Form M-1 on a timely basis subjects a plan sponsor to a penalty of $1,942 per day ... There is no formal amnesty program for late M-1 filers ... [3] Failure to timely provide a compliant Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) per the [ACA] requirements subjects a plan sponsor to a penalty of $1,406 per failure."
9.
MEWA Liability in Mergers and Acquisitions (PDF)
Lockton
Dec. 27, 2023
Lockton
Dec. 27, 2023
"[A MEWA may be] unintentionally created by a buyer or seller during the purchase or sale of a company. If not properly handled, this can lead to significant liabilities for the buyer and possible loss of coverage.... This article will discuss three transaction scenarios involving MEWAs and provide advice on how to avoid potential liabilities and compliance failure."
10.
Upcoming Key Compliance Deadlines and Reminders for First Quarter 2024
Lockton
Dec. 19, 2023
Lockton
Dec. 19, 2023
"There are a couple of deadlines falling on a different date than usual due to 2024 being a leap year, such as the CMS creditable coverage status filing and Form 1095 C/B furnishing to employees.... 2024 is the first year when almost all employers must file their informational returns electronically to the IRS, such as Forms 1095-C/B and 1094-C/B."
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