The month of November brought a new delay in reporting required from self-funded plans. It also brought several new notices and regulations that may affect sponsors of group health plans and an updated employer guide and health plan compliance checklist from the Department of Labor (DOL). Transitional Reinsurance Program Filing Delayed until December 5, 2014 […]
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Same-Sex Marriages and Group Health Benefits
On October 6, 2014, the Supreme Court of the United States declined to review seven cases in which the lower appeals court had ruled that a state law or constitutional provision that prohibited same-sex marriage was unconstitutional. This declination means that the ruling of the appeals court is law, and that same-sex marriages are (or […]
Read moreCompliance Recap // October 2014
During the month of October, there were developments in the courts and new information from the regulatory agencies that may affect sponsors of group health plans. Requirement to Obtain a Health Plan Identifier (HPID) Delayed On Friday October 31, 2014 the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) quietly updated its Health Plan Identifier information […]
Read moreFiduciary Responsibilities under ERISA – Webinar, September 16, 2014
Benefit Insurance Marketing is pleased to extend an invitation to attend our upcoming monthly compliance Webinar. In conjunction with our alliance with United Benefit Advisors, you have the opportunity to learn more about the latest compliance trends and regulations from one of the nations leading employment and benefit law firms, Jackson Lewis LLP. Best of all, you can […]
Read moreCompliance Recap // August 2014
August 2014 brought a court case that will be of interest to employers that apply significant penalties to those who choose not to participate in wellness programs. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has now provided an additional way for religious organizations that object to covering contraceptives to receive an exemption and has […]
Read moreDelivering Participant Materials
The Department of Labor (DOL) requires that participant notices and other plan information (“disclosures”) be provided in a way that is reasonably calculated to ensure delivery to all plan participants. The Department of Health and Human Service (HHS) typically follows the DOL’s rules. There are two primary ways to deliver plan information — by paper […]
Read moreEligibility Waiting Periods
Eligibility Waiting Periods On February 20, 2014, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Labor (DOL) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released final regulations on the eligibility waiting period requirements. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) provides that plans may not require an employee who is eligible […]
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