"Here is the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) grid with the limits for 2024 and the corresponding limits for 2023.... [This chart] also includes important health and welfare plan notice and filing deadlines, as well as retirement benefit plan annual limits with key retirement plan notice and filing deadlines."  MORE >>

"The adjustment for 2024 represents a $150 increase to the current $3,050 health FSA salary reduction contribution limit in 2023.... The indexed carryover limit for plan years starting in calendar year 2024 ... will increase to $640.... [E]mployer contributions (including non-cashable flex credits) generally cannot exceed $500 per plan year for the health FSA to maintain excepted benefit status (absent a dollar-for-dollar matching structure)."  MORE >>

"Q2 of FAQs Part 61 explains that the Departments will no longer continue to maintain an 'enforcement safe harbor' for the TIC in-network rates machine readable file requirement and ... they are rescinding the statement of enforcement discretion provided in FAQs Part 53.... Plans that are unable to determine dollar amounts for the in-network rates should follow the Department's technical reporting guidance."  MORE >>

"Tobacco use is a health status factor that is protected by the [HIPAA/ACA] rules on nondiscrimination in health status. So, any financial incentives (whether rewards or penalties) related to tobacco use must comply with the wellness program requirements."  MORE >>

"The 2023 updates report a significant evolution of the telemental health and telehealth industries, including extended regulatory flexibilities that promote increased use of telehealth.... [E]xpansion and innovation have contributed to an expanded focus on telefraud and increased enforcement activity."  MORE >>

"PBMs operating in New York State must be licensed by DFS by January 1, 2024.... The new provisions significantly increase documentary and informational materials PBMs must submit to [the Department of Financial Services (DFS)], such as contracts, financials, governance, and ownership structure. Companies applying for licensure must also certify their compliance with DFS's cybersecurity regulation."  MORE >>

"Plaintiff alleged that Defendant breached its fiduciary duties under ERISA Section 502(a)(3), by providing inadequate advice on how to effectuate the extension of her husband's life insurance policy and that she was therefore entitled to 'make whole' compensation under the equitable theory of surcharge ... The Court found that Defendant's argument against equitable surcharge was not supported." [Foughty v. Cleaver-Brooks, Inc., No. 23-3074 (N.D. Ga. Nov. 3, 2023)]  MORE >>

"[1] Get feedback from employees.... [2] Think about working with a provider.... [3] Make sure menopause benefits are supplemented by other comprehensive benefits.... [4] Train company leaders.... [5] Consider working with a women's group or ERG.... [6] Educate employees.... [7] Educate the entire workforce."  MORE >>

18 pages. "[A] HIPAA-centric defensive strategy provides an employer plan sponsor with the means to identify, segregate, and potentially exterminate ransomware infiltration prior to the malware's proliferation with a user's network ... In this way, while a single device may become corrupted, savvy device operators are able to reduce the potential for an attack to infect the user's entire network."  MORE >>

"[This] guide offers a handy single-sheet reference giving key 2021-2023 annual limits for retirement plans on one side, with health, fringe benefit and [ACA] figures on the other."  MORE >>

"Although there is no amendment required to single employer retirement plan documents by December 31, 2023, there are operational requirements that you will need to implement and keep records of the choices you make  ... Many employers rely on their TPA or broker to manage ... compliance requirements. Employers should verify that the TPA or broker is complying with all of the changes, as the penalties generally fall on the employer sponsoring the group health plan subject to these requirements."  MORE >>