"The relief is permissive, not required.... The relief is extended on a prospective basis.... The relief applies on a monthly basis, not on a plan year basis."  MORE >>

"The 2022 COVID-19 leave mandate applies to employers with 25 or more employees. Previously, the PHEL mandate only applied to employers with 50 or more employees.... Covered employees who work 40 or more hours per week are eligible for 40 hours of COVID-19 leave, unless the employer designates a higher amount. Previously, the PHEL mandate provided such employees with 80 hours of leave."  MORE >>

"Enacted Feb. 23, the laws address licensing, transparency, network adequacy, spread pricing, medication limits, affiliated pharmacy preferences and disclosures between a pharmacy and a participant."  MORE >>

"Despite some facially bad facts -- including that the employee was discharged only four days after returning from leave under the [FMLA] and subject to a supervisor's comments about her being 'sick a lot' -- the court affirmed summary judgment in favor of the employer. The case underscores the long-standing legal principle that an employer may discharge an employee if the employee would have been discharged regardless of having taken leave." [Anderson v. Nations Lending Corp., No. 21-1885 (7th Cir. Mar. 9, 2022)]  MORE >>

"Patients are no longer required to pay for out-of-network care given without their consent when they receive treatment at hospitals covered by their health insurance since a federal law took effect at the start of this year. But the law's protections against the infuriating, expensive scourge of surprise medical bills may be only as good as a patient's knowledge -- and ability to make sure those protections are enforced. Here's what you need to know."  MORE >>

"In a dispute over reimbursements for COVID-19 testing and related services, a district court concluded that the coverage mandates of the [FFCRA] and the [CARES Act] did not create a private right of action ... The court therefore dismissed claims by health providers alleging that a health plan's insurer violated the FFCRA and CARES Act by failing to reimburse the providers for COVID-19-related testing services furnished to plan participants. However, the court permitted the providers' related ERISA benefit claims to proceed." [Murphy Med. Assocs., LLC. v. Cigna Health & Life Ins. Co., No. 20-1675 (D. Conn. Mar. 11, 2022)]  MORE >>

9 pages. "[1] Overview of ERISA's fiduciary duties and prohibited transaction rules ... [2] DOL's organization and enforcement resources ... [3] DOL enforcement has remained robust ... [4] Current enforcement priorities ... [5] National enforcement projects ... [6] Additional (unofficial) DOL enforcement priorities ... [7] Possible future DOL enforcement priorities."  MORE >>

"It is crucial you understand the laws that apply to your benefits and the damages available, ... especially as they pertain to ERISA benefits litigation.... [1] What laws apply to employer-sponsored benefits? ... [2] What damages are available if benefits are denied? ... [3] Who has the burden of proof in establishing an entitlement to benefits? ... [4] Do you need an attorney to seek benefits?"  MORE >>