"The end of the Emergency, effective on May 11, 2023, means that the various changes to deadlines and enrollment periods that were put in place to accommodate employers and employees affected by COVID-19 will cease ... [A]ffected ERISA plans can return to their pre-Emergency operation 60 days after the end of the Emergency, which will be July 10, 2023."  MORE >>

"States have until November 1, 2023, to implement the new NMSNs. Employers will start to receive updated NMSNs between now and then.... [T]here are 4 new items: [1] a sample Part A Response page is now included, [2] a separate page of instructions on how to complete Part A, field by field, is now included, [3] a new Addendum is added to the Response page for Part B that includes detail on the coverage being provided ... and [4] all parts now include space for up to 8 children[.]"  MORE >>

"These FAQs do not break new ground or include any surprises. However, they may be helpful to those on the 'front lines' of cafeteria plan administration, who are sometimes asked to explain the reasons for plan operating rules and decisions. They also remind administrators of the importance of obtaining adequate and appropriate substantiation before reimbursing claims and highlight the challenges involved with certain expenses."  MORE >>

"Under the new rules, health insurance companies will need to clarify the distance a doctor is from a patient in their directory in two ways. One listing includes the distance between the patient's address and the provider if a straight line was drawn between the two. The other is the distance and time it takes to drive to the provider's office from the patient's house. Before these new rules, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois was only including the former on their directories."  MORE >>

"Key considerations will include: [1] Choosing how to handle the differences between PLAWA and the Chicago and Cook County paid leave mandates ... [2] Choosing whether to keep PLAWA leave separate from other paid time off banks to avoid the obligation to pay out PLAWA on termination of employment, ... [3] Choosing how to write coherent policies and procedures[.]"  MORE >>

"Protecting the Right of Access continues to be a priority ... HIPAA complaints have continued to rise ... Only a handful of smaller breaches resulted in a compliance review.... Hacking remains the top cause of breaches ... Paper records were the largest category by location for smaller breaches.... Mitigation is important."  MORE >>

"Despite the bad reviews, the bipartisan [Pharmacy Benefit Managers Transparency Act (S 127)] cleared the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee on Wednesday.... PBMs say the bill goes too far. Employer groups say the bill doesn't go far enough."  MORE >>

"This Issue Brief presents current estimates of enrollment in health insurance coverage obtained through the [ACA] Marketplaces, Medicaid expansion, Children's Health Insurance Program, Basic Health Program and the subsequent reductions in state-level uninsured rates since the ACA was implemented in 2014. As of early 2023, the report finds that more than 40 million Americans have coverage under the ACA, the highest total on record."  MORE >>

"[T]he 215th open meeting of the [ERISA Advisory Council] will be held on Friday, May 5, 2023 ... [in] Washington, DC ... The meeting will also be accessible via teleconference and some participants, as well as members of the public, may elect to attend virtually.... The purpose of the open meeting is to set the topics to be addressed by the Council in 2023. Also, the ERISA Advisory Council members will receive an update from leadership of [EBSA]."  MORE >>