EBSA Issues Guidance on COBRA Extensions Related to COVID-19
If the President declares a national disaster, language within ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code permits the Secretaries of the Departments of Labor and Treasure […]
CAA #4: A Prohibition on Gag Clauses
The Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) prohibits health plans from entering into contracts that would restrict the plan from: Offering provider-specific cost or quality of care […]
CAA #3: Strengthening Mental Health and Substance Abuse Parity Rules
The Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) included provisions designed to strengthen the rules for group health plans to impose Nonquantitative Treatment Limitations (NQTLs) on coverage for […]
Advance Explanation of Benefits: the 411
What is it? An Advance Explanation of Benefits (AEOB) starts with the obligation of a health care provider to furnish a patient with an advance […]
CAA #2: Removing the Element of Surprise: the Consolidated Appropriations Act’s Guidelines for Group Health Plans
CAA NO SURPRISES BLOG The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (CAA) contained many provisions that directly affect employer sponsored group health plans. In this blog, […]
New Law Encourages Compliance with Recognized Security Practice
The penalties for failing to observe HIPAA’s security rules can be severe. Recent legislation may cushion the impact of those penalties for covered entities making […]
Group Health Plans Required to Cover Cost of HIV-Preventive Drug, Truvada
Effective January 1, 2021, and with the exception of ACA-compliant Grandfathered Plans, most group health plans and insurance issuers must now cover the full cost […]
ICHRAs and the Shared Responsibility Payment: Final Regulations
The IRS outlined final rules regarding the shared responsibility payment (SRP) and other nondiscrimination rules applicable to health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) and other account-based group […]
CAA #1 The Consolidated Appropriations Act with COVID-19 Relief: An Overview
Beginning in 2021, employers who sponsor group health plans (GHPs) must begin complying with several requirements of the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) of 2021. The […]