[Guidance Overview]

New Illinois State Law Imposes Group Health Coverage Disclosure Requirements on Certain Employers with Illinois Employees

"[T]he 'Illinois Consumer Coverage Disclosure Act' ... requires a covered employer to provide: [1] a written list of the benefits included in its group health insurance coverage; and [2] a comparison of those benefits to the essential health benefits that must be covered under Get Covered Illinois, the health insurance marketplace for the State of Illinois. This information must be provided in a format that allows employees to easily compare the employer-provided benefits with the benefits offered through Get Covered Illinois."  MORE >>

Vorys

[Guidance Overview]

New York Expands Paid Family Leave to Include 'Siblings'

"Pursuant to this legislation, 'family member' will have an expanded definition that will include 'siblings,' which is further defined as a biological or adopted sibling, a half sibling or stepsibling.... Employees can use NY PFL ... [1] to bond with a newly born, adopted, or fostered child; [2] to care for a family member with a serious health condition; or [3] to assist loved ones when a spouse, domestic partner, child, or parent is deployed abroad on active military service."  MORE >>

Goldberg Segalla

Supreme Court Agrees to Review MSP Dispute Over Health Plan's Coverage of Dialysis Benefits

"The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to settle a dispute between two appellate courts regarding the Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) rules and health plan coverage of dialysis.... This case will have significant implications for health plans trying to cap the costs of dialysis treatments." [Marietta Memorial Hospital Employee Health Benefit Plan v. Davita, Inc., No. 19-4039 (6th Cir. Oct. 14, 2020; cert. pet. granted Nov. 5, 2021)]  MORE >>

Thomson Reuters / EBIA

Fifth Circuit ERISA Decision Denies Widow Paid-For Life Insurance Benefits

"The employer actually deducted the premiums from the deceased's wages and then paid them to Unum for multiple years. Yet, the Court does not weigh this actual payment of premiums against the early written denial of coverage to determine whether, under ERISA or state insurance law, the coverage was valid. Nor does the Court explain why it considers the Summary of Benefits the controlling plan document that trumped the misrepresentations and the payment of the premiums." [Talasek v. National Oilwell Varco, L.P., No. 20-20069 (5th Cir. Oct. 19, 2021)]  MORE >>

Jackson Lewis P.C.

Employer Health Insurance Premiums Have Risen 22% in 5 Years and Wages Can't Keep Up

"The average premium for family coverage has surged 22% since 2016 and 47% since 2011.... Americans strapped by skyrocketing health-insurance premiums might have to look for ways to cut health-care costs in other areas. Here are some options."  MORE >>

GOBankingRates

2021 ACA Reporting (PDF)

"[S]ome employers, particularly those that have grown in size, may lack clarity regarding their reporting obligations under the law. As the deadlines for 2021 ACA reporting roll near, it is important to review the basics of reporting, including any changes that may be applicable for the 2021 reporting year."  MORE >>

VCG Consultants

Colorado 'Use It or Lose It' PTO Is Finally Dead

"[T]he combined effect of the statute, the Nieto decision, and the new Wage Protection Rules is that any policy or agreement providing for the forfeiture of accrued PTO is illegal in Colorado.... [E]mployers may want to consider implementing caps on the amount of PTO or vacation an employee may accrue, so long as such accrued leave is never forfeited."  MORE >>

Ogletree Deakins

[Guidance Overview]

Infrastructure Legislation Includes Employee Benefits Provisions

"[T]he Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (HR 3684) ... contains employee benefit provisions related to interest rate stabilization for defined benefit plans, postponement of certain benefits-related tax deadlines during federally declared disasters, and more."  MORE >>

Thomson Reuters Practical Law

Annual Enrollment: Successfully Adjusting to the 'New Normal'

"With end-of-year benefit enrollment periods rapidly approaching, here are a few takeaways that can help you reach your employees with critical information about benefit changes and timelines: [1] Know your audiences.... [2] Provide opportunities to ask questions.... [3] Be mindful of video fatigue.... [4] Leverage your resources.... [5] Emphasize wellness and virtual benefits."  MORE >>

Milliman

KPMG Swaps 401(k) Match for Automatic Employer Contributions, Expands Parental Leave, and Reduces Employee Healthcare Premiums

"Accounting firm KPMG will no longer match employees' 401(k) contributions and instead will make automatic contributions equal to 6-8% of a worker's pay ... The announcement was accompanied by ... a reduction in healthcare premiums, a more robust parental leave program and an expanded employee recognition program."  MORE >>

HR Dive

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John Hancock Retirement Brings Signature Fiduciary Connect to Plan Sponsors Seeking Additional Support in Offering Workplace 401(k)s

John Hancock

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New Mental Health Parity Rules and Requirements for Plan Sponsors and Administrators

January 5, 2022 WEBCAST

Strafford

Benefit Design Strategies Summit

March 30, 2022 in TX

Validation Institute

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2022 Quick Benefit Facts (PDF)

Mercer

2022 Health FSA Limit Increased to $2,850

Newfront

You Are Here: A Mall Directory for Healthcare Transparency Requirements

Verrill Dana LLP