16 presentation slides review [1] The most recent recommendations from the US Preventive Services Task Force, along with developments in the ongoing legal challenge to those ACA requirements. [2] Changes to COVID-19 vaccine and testing requirements now that the public health emergency has officially ended. [3] Proposals to modify religious exemptions and eliminate moral exemptions from ACA"s contraceptive coverage rule and related litigation.  MORE >>

"Minnesota has become the 12th state to adopt a statewide paid program for employees during family and medical leaves. It also joined the more than 40 state and local jurisdictions mandating paid sick leave. Eligible Minnesota employees will be entitled to up to 48 hours of paid sick and safe leave and 20 weeks of family leave benefits."  MORE >>

"SB1550 takes effect on July 1, 2023, and imposes significant new requirements on PBMs.... [1] Licensing and reporting requirements for PBMs. [2] Required contractual terms for agreements between a PBM and a pharmacy benefits plan or program and agreements between a PBM and a participating pharmacy. [3] Annual attestation requirement."  MORE >>

"[An] employer in Colorado [must] allow an employee to take protected leave to: [1] 'grieve, attend funeral services or a memorial' ... [2] 'care for a family member whose school or place of care has been closed due to inclement weather, loss of power, loss of heating, loss of water, or other unexpected occurrence or event that results in the closure of the family member's school or place of care'; or [3] 'evacuate the employee's residence due to inclement weather, loss of power, loss of heating, loss of water, or other unexpected occurrence or event that results in the need to evacuate the employee's residence.' SB 23-017 is expected to take effect on August 7, 2023."  MORE >>

"Aetna provided Morris with individualized consultations with benefit counselors, consulted with her by phone about her benefit amount numerous times, and communicated with Morris's financial institutions to verify her benefit amount. The court found that these actions amounted to a fiduciary act." [Morris v. Aetna Life Insurance Company, No. 21-56169 (9th Cir. Jun. 2, 2023; unpub.)]  MORE >>

"[A]ccording to estimates from [CDC] ... approximately 1 in 36 children in the United States may have some form of [autism spectrum disorder (ASD)]. Given the prevalence of this disorder and the benefits that can come from early childhood intervention, enforcement for treatment options has become a priority for the Departments."  MORE >>

"High-cost claims have become the single fastest-growing healthcare cost for employers in the last decade and were identified as one of the 'most significant threats to employer-sponsored healthcare' in a recent ... survey. This report offers insights and action steps to help employers mitigate the effect of high-cost claims."  MORE >>

"Customizing discounts and expanding these programs to include energy efficient appliances, electric vehicles, solar panels and sustainable travel is an easy way to highlight 'green' practices ... Providing just one day of volunteer time off per year can afford employees much-desired time to support their favorite organizations[.]"  MORE >>

"[T]he 216th open meeting of the [ERISA Advisory Council] will be held on July 17-19, 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.... On July 17 and July 19, the purpose of the open meeting is for Advisory Council members to hear testimony from invited witnesses on ... [1] Long-Term Disability Benefits and Mental Health Disparity, and [2] Recordkeeping in the Electronic Age.... On July 18, the purpose of the open meeting is for the [DOL] to consult with the Advisory Council on section 2509.95-1 of title 29, Code of Federal Regulations (relating to the fiduciary standards under [ERISA] when selecting an annuity provider for a defined benefit pension plan), as required by Section 321 of the SECURE 2.0 Act[.]"  MORE >>