"[T]he amount used to calculate the PCORI fee payable for plan years ending on or after October 1, 2023, but before October 1, 2024, is $3.22 per covered life. For 2023 plan years ending on or before September 30, 2023, the PCORI fee due in 2024 is $3.00 per covered life. The IRS Form 720 report and corresponding PCORI fee payment for plan years ending in 2023 is due by July 31, 2024."  MORE >>

Summarizes key dates for calendar year 2024 regarding activities and policies that are outlined in other documents.  MORE >>

"The RFI appears to be prompted (at least in part) by the FDA's recent approval of an OTC oral contraceptive and may signal the agencies' intent to eliminate the prescription requirement in future guidance. Comments are due by December 4, 2023. "  MORE >>

"Fiduciaries should strive to mitigate risks proactively by formalizing a fiduciary compliance review process. A solid process involves evaluating plan documents, participant communications, service provider agreements, and service provider performance to identify potential risks. Making corrections and taking steps to minimize risk can help reduce the chance of costly litigation in the future."  MORE >>

20 pages. "[T]his Issue Brief [discusses] efforts by employers to make primary care more accessible and affordable for their employees, such as offering direct primary care plans and work-site clinics, as well as state and federal level policies to increase the primary care work force."  MORE >>

"HR 6279, the 'Wearable Equipment Adoption and Reinforcement and Investment in Technology Act' [WEAR IT Act] ... would include certain wearable devices as qualified medical expenses for HSA purposes, up to $375 for a taxable year."  MORE >>

"The Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) estimated improper payment rate was 7.38%, or $31.2 billion ... The Medicare Part C estimated improper payment rate was 6.01%, or $16.6 billion.... The Medicare Part D estimated improper payment rate was 3.72%, or $3.4 billion.... The 2023 improper payment rate for the Advance payment of the Premium Tax Credit (APTC) program ... for Benefit Year 2021 was 0.58% or $272 million."  MORE >>

Published comment letters submitted in response to EBSA"s July 25 Technical Release 2023-01P: Request for Comment on Proposed Relevant Data Requirements for Nonquantitative Treatment Limitations (NQTLs) Related to Network Composition and Enforcement Safe Harbor for Group Health Plans and Health Insurance Issuers Subject to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. Deadline for comments was October 2, 2023. (50 letters are online as of Nov. 17.)  MORE >>

"EmployersRx and the 50 participating organizations call on Congress to pass reforms that require full and complete transparency and reporting, ban spread pricing, require PBMs to pass-through 100% of all rebates, discounts and fees and hold PBMs accountable the same way employers are held accountable."  MORE >>