"[E]mployers that wish to add or expand existing abortion-related benefits -- including paying travel expenses for employees seeking abortions -- should be aware of any risks posed by the various state law restrictions on abortion in the states where their employees reside."  MORE >>

"Despite the increase in cost sharing, the percentage of Americans who reported having past-due bills from a health care or medical service provider remained unchanged between 2015 and 2021.... Compared with other sources of debt, Americans were less likely to report that they had past-due medical bills.... The likelihood of having past-due medical bills increased with age for younger adults but decreased with age for older adults."  MORE >>

"Employers' concerns generally fell into three buckets: The high cost of care, the pandemic's impact on health, and the need for a positive care experience. Here's a look at five key findings from the survey and how health systems should respond to employer health plan priorities."  MORE >>

20 pages. "[This Interpretive Bulletin (IB) sets] forth guidelines for determining when a qualified public accountant is independent for purposes of auditing and rendering an opinion on the financial statements required to be included in the annual report filed with the [DOL] under [ERISA].... The purpose of this document is to revise and restate an IB the Department issued in 1975 on accountant independence ... In addition to making the adjustments described in more detail [in this preamble], the Department has reorganized the interpretive bulletin for clarity.... [1] Time period during which accountants are prohibited from holding financial interests in the plan or plan sponsor ... [2] Definition of 'office' for purpose of determining who is a 'member' of the firm."  MORE >>