"[E]ffective October 1, 2022, the Paid Leave Act [provides] eligible individuals with: [1] twelve weeks of paid parental leave, [2] twelve weeks of paid family leave, [3] twelve weeks of medical leave, and [4] two weeks of paid prenatal leave up to a maximum of twelve weeks paid leave in any fifty-two-workweek period.... D.C. employer payroll taxes for the program are reduced to 0.26% of each employee's wages."  MORE >>

"[E]mployers with six or more Massachusetts employees must complete and submit the state's annual Health Insurance Responsibility Disclosure (HIRD) form by December 15, 2022.... HIRD forms must be filed electronically."  MORE >>

"Beginning in January 2023, the maximum total weekly benefit amount will be $1,129.82 (up from $1,084.31), and the contribution rate on eligible employee wages will be reduced to 0.63% (down from 0.68%). Employers must provide current employees who have already signed an acknowledgement of PFML rates and deductions information about the new contribution rate 30 days in advance of the rate change."  MORE >>

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday turned away a challenge to a 2018 Seattle law requiring hotels to pay for health insurance for low-wage workers pursued by a business group that argued the measure violated a federal law that regulates employee benefits.... Their decision not to take up the challenge could encourage other cities and states to adopt similar requirements intended to address the widespread lack of health insurance among low-wage employees." [ERISA Industry Committee (ERIC) v. City of Seattle, No. 20-35472 (9th Cir. Mar. 17, 2021; unpub.; cert. pet. denied Nov. 21, 2022)]  MORE >>

"[T]he US District Court for the Western District of Washington certified a class of individuals who were denied gender-affirming care by a third-party administrator, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL).... [T]he class members have been, are, or will be [1] participants in an ERISA self-funded health plan, which is both administered by BCBSIL and contains a categorical exclusion for gender-affirming care ... [and] [2] denied preauthorization or coverage for excluded gender-affirming care because of BCBSIL's administration of the exclusion." [C.P. v. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, No. 20-6145 (W.D. Wash. Nov. 9, 2022)]  MORE >>

"In addition to drafting a new plan document and summary plan description, negotiating contracts with a claims administrator and other vendors, and purchasing stop-loss coverage to insure against the risk of catastrophic claims, employers must address privacy and security obligations under [HIPAA] and reporting requirements under the [ACA]."  MORE >>

"On the heels of several high-profile acquisitions, Walgreens aims to be a point of entry for consumers for healthcare services ranging from urgent care to specialty care and even in-home health."  MORE >>

"The National Council of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) adopted a model law on [November 19] during its annual conference that will help workers to care for a family member without fear of economic loss. NCOIL is an organization composed of state lawmakers that develops model insurance laws for consideration by state legislatures."  MORE >>

"Notable changes to the list include: ... [1] guidance under Section 408(m), relating to 'collectibles' that result in deemed distributions to the IRA owner, [2] a project relating to the 'timing of the use or allocation of forfeitures in qualified plans' ... and [3] a project on the definition of 'church plan' under section 414(e) has reappeared.... In the health care and employment tax areas, there is a new guidance project relating to 'contributions to and benefits paid from paid family and medical leave programs.' And ... a project covering guidance on W-2 reporting for qualified sick and family leave wages."  MORE >>