We recognize that many of our clients sponsor ERISA welfare benefit plans and are currently undergoing their open enrollment process and issuing related participant communications. To assist our clients with that process, we...more
On June 19, 2018, the Trump administration finalized a rule that will enable small businesses and self-employed individuals to band together to offer access to large group health plans, which are typically less expensive (but...more
In January 2018, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced that final regulations affecting how some ERISA plans process claims and appeals will apply beginning April 1, 2018. As explained below, the final regulations...more
As 2017 comes to an end, we are pleased to present you with our traditional End of Year Plan Sponsor “To Do” Lists. This year, we are publishing our “To Do” Lists in four separate Employee Benefits Updates. Part 1 covered...more
The year 1974 was a watershed for employee benefits. For the first time, the federal government undertook the complicated task of providing a statutory and regulatory framework for employee benefit plans and employee pension...more
Final Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) Guidance Issued - The Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Treasury (the “Departments”) recently issued final changes to the Summary of Benefits and Coverage...more
Health and welfare have been around for a long time, and they are ubiquitous. Employees have come to expect medical, dental, life, and other insurance as part of their benefits packages. Employers offer coverage in order to...more
When it comes to telling their employees about certain benefits, many employers have for decades (since 1974 to be exact) flouted a particular provision of the law with impunity. The law to which we refer is the Employee...more
On October 23, 2015, the U.S. Departments of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS), and Treasury issued frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the implementation of preventive care and wellness provisions of the...more
Through new FAQs and final regulations, the U.S. Departments of Labor (“DOL”), Health and Human Services (“HHS”) and the Treasury (the “Departments”) have further clarified various issues related to the preventive care...more
As employers and plans prepare for 2016 open enrollment, they must be sure to address in their benefit design and with their third party vendors the new embedded out-of-pocket maximum limitations on individuals that were...more
Most health plan and health insurance policies include strategies that require persons covered under them to share in the costs that are paid. This strategy, often referred to as cost-sharing, serves two purposes. First, it...more
Starting a new business can be very stressful, and with any successful business comes the added stress of hiring and retaining employees. To attract good employees, employers generally need to offer health benefits. ...more
It’s that time of year again, when fall weather brings with it a host of legal obligations for plan sponsors running open enrollment. Here’s what you need to know to survive the season....more
In This Presentation: - Review Employer Information - Fees - Mandates - Additional Points - Communications - Excerpt from Review Employer Information. Employer’s Health Plans - 1. Identify the...more