Self Funding Plan? and State Mandates

[Guest kalipper]

I am new to the self funding benefit area and i am trying to find out what benefits are mandated by Erisa or the state. If you have experience with Self Funded plans, I would really like to talk to you about it.

My insurance company is telling me that there are no mandated benefits that we need to follow for the state since we are a self funded plan goverened by ERISA. Can anyone verify that?:confused:

[jeanine]

It's true you don't have to follow state law and offer any state mandated benefits. There are some federal laws though that affect the administration of your plan. For starters, read up on the Womens Health and Cancer Rights Act, the Newborns and Mothers Health Act, COBRA, Mental Health Parity Act, and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (at least for the pre-ex restriction requirements).