"With inflation still at high levels, we will have a second consecutive year of unusually large increases to the HSA contribution limits."  MORE >>

"New laws in Arkansas and Tennessee allow for family leave insurance. Illinois now requires all workers to earn paid leave they can use for any reason, starting in 2024. A recent San Francisco ordinance institutes paid military leave, while changes to existing paid leave laws occurred in Puerto Rico and two Minnesota cities.... Telehealth access gained traction in several states, including Idaho, Utah, Vermont, Washington and Wyoming. More than a half dozen states passed prescription drug laws ... Illinois and New York were among states issuing insurance coverage mandates."  MORE >>

"The court pointed out that 'ERISA denial letters play a particular role in ensuring full and fair review,' and thus required United to engage in a 'meaningful dialogue' by addressing the opinions of A.K.'s physicians in its denials.... [T]he Tenth Circuit concluded that the district court was justified and acted within its discretion in awarding benefits outright rather than remanding to United to take a 'second bite at the apple' (or in this case, a sixth). The Tenth Circuit sided with courts that have found that a remand is inappropriate where a plan administrator has not acted consistently with its fiduciary role." [D.K. v. United Behavioral Health, No. 21-4088 (10th Cir. May 15, 2023)]  MORE >>

"[M]any third-party vendors now delegate primary functions to other contractors. These 4th (and nth) party 'subservice' vendors often escape the monitoring required of operations managers and plan committees by federal retirement and health plan laws.... The delegation tactics used by employee benefit plan service providers place a premium on third-party risk management (TPRM) as a strategy."  MORE >>

"While the WA Cares Fund is a laudable initiative, the current maximum lifetime benefit will fall woefully short of covering actual long-term care costs. An analysis of private options showed employer-sponsored LTC insurance is considerably more affordable and more robust than the WA Cares Fund."  MORE >>

"A recent Washington Supreme Court decision may open the door to a new legal challenge to the WA Cares program. In March, ... the Washington Supreme Court upheld the State's capital gains tax and defined the requirements of an excise tax. Under [this case], WA Cares is arguably an unconstitutional income tax rather than an excise tax." [Quinn v. State of Washington, No. 100769-8 (Wash. Mar. 24, 2023)]  MORE >>

"90% of employers provide employee assistance programs for mental health services and 86% provide mental health coverage.... [M]ore needs to be done to promote mental health and access to services ... [1] Improve screening for mental health and substance use disorder needs and promote measurement-based care.... [2] Enhanced collaboration between employers and the federal government related to mental health parity requirements.... [3] Increase support for and access to behavioral health providers."  MORE >>