HIPAA Breaches Result in $2.15 Million Penalty Against Jackson Health System
The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) penalized Jackson Health System (JHS) $2.15 million for multiple violations under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of […]
DOL Releases Proposed Regulations Authorizing Default Electronic Notices and Disclosures for 401(k) Plans
On October 22, 2019, the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) issued proposed regulations (and accompanying fact sheet) that would authorize the default usage of electronic […]
Finding Your Path Through AHP Confusion
A federal district court recently struck down the easier pathway employers could use to create association health plans (AHPs). This pathway, also known as Pathway […]
Dental Practice $10,000 Settlement for Social Media HIPAA Violation
A recent settlement highlights the importance of entities subject to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) engaging in appropriate communications regarding their patients’ […]
Sixth Circuit Finds No Qualifying Event Under COBRA
The Sixth Circuit recently ruled that altering an employee’s contribution method to a group health plan does not by itself change the terms and conditions […]
IRS Issues Final Regulations on 401(k) Hardship Distributions
On September 23, 2019, the U.S. Department of Treasury, acting through the IRS, issued final regulations governing hardship distributions (also known as hardship withdrawals) taken […]
Did Procrastination Play a Part in HIPAA Privacy Breach?
We often see headlines about breaches of the HIPAA Security Rule, commonly for failures to adequately either (1) conduct & implement a Security Risk Assessment; […]
DOL Brings Us Back to the Basics of FMLA
The Department of Labor (“DOL”) clarified in a recent opinion letter that once an employer knows an employee’s requested leave is protected by the Family […]
IRS Announces New Address For Determination Letter Applications, Letter Ruling Requests, Certain Other Submissions
On September 12, 2019, the IRS announced a new address to be used for the mailing and delivery of certain submissions relating to employee benefit […]