Topic: Health and Welfare Plans
US Dept. of Labor Announces Cybersecurity Guidance for Plan Sponsors, Plan Fiduciaries, Record-Keepers and Plan Participants
The U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) recently issued guidance on best practices for maintaining cybersecurity directed to plan sponsors, fiduciaries, record-keepers and participants of employee benefit plans governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”). While some prior cybersecurity guidance has been issued for certain employee benefit plans governed by ERISA , this is the first guidance issued by the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) of the DOL related to cybersecurity.
Read MoreNew ERISA Case Results in Another Assignment for Today – Ensure your Group Health Plan’s Claims Administrator is Raising Anti-Assignment during the Claims and Appeals Process!
Anti-assignment clauses in ERISA health plans are useful to plan sponsors in fending off lawsuits by out-of-network providers. Federal courts have consistently upheld anti-assignment provisions contained in the plan document and/or the summary plan description (SPD); however, a recent ERISA case serves as a warning about the unintentional waiver of anti-assignment provisions.
Read MoreNew ERISA Case Results in an Assignment for Today – Check your Group Health Plan’s Anti-Assignment Provision!
Anti-assignment clauses in ERISA health plans are useful to plan sponsors in fending off lawsuits by out-of-network providers. Federal courts have consistently upheld anti-assignment provisions contained in the plan document and/or the summary plan description (SPD).
Read MoreIRS Announces 2021 Retirement Plan Limits – Most Limits Remain Unchanged
The Internal Revenue Service announced the 2021 cost-of-living adjustments to the dollar limitations for qualified retirement plans and other benefits, and the Social Security Administration announced its own cost-of-living adjustments for 2021. Most of the dollar limits, including the elective deferral contribution limit for 401(k), 403(b) and 457(b) plans and the dollar limit for catch-up contributions (if age 50 or older), will remain unchanged from 2020 limits.
Read MoreHelpful FAQ Guidance Issued to Assist Group Health Plans With Implementing COVID-19 Coverage Requirements of the FFCRA and CARES Act
The Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Treasury jointly released additional frequently asked questions (“FAQs”) regarding implementation of the health coverage provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”); the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”), and other health coverage issues related to COVID-19.
Read MoreFAQs Provide Guidance on COVID-19 Testing and Diagnosis Requirements Affecting Employer Health Plans
The Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Treasury (collectively, the “Departments”) jointly issued FAQ guidance regarding implementation of the health coverage provisions under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”) and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”).
Read MoreHang on to Those Pharmacy Receipts: The CARES Act Changes OTC Rules for FSAs, HSAs, and HRAs
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), which was signed into law by President Trump on March 27, 2020, authorizes more than $2 trillion of economic relief for individuals, businesses and industries impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read MoreAddressing Impacts on Group Health Plan Coverage Caused by COVID-19 Employment Changes
This article provides practical guidance regarding how employers should address eligibility and coverage issues under their group health plans resulting from the coronavirus (also known as COVID-19). For more information on legal issues relating to the coronavirus, see Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource Site.
Read MoreBest Practices for Handling and Avoiding Employee Benefit Plan Investigations
The prospect of a U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) investigation or Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) examination of an employee benefit plan can be daunting for any plan sponsor. Understanding the process and adopting best practices, however, can make the experience less intimidating and improve the results for all parties.
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