"This update is a very high-level summary of HHS's progress with the AEOB. It does not include any discussion of the timeframe for implementation of this requirement for group health plans, although the need to develop new technical standards suggests further delay."  MORE >>

"COBRA administrators and employers generally use the [DOL's] model notices without modification, believing they provide a 'safe harbor' from penalties.... [R]epeated litigation has demonstrated that this practice can lead to failure to include simple information ... which cannot be overlooked or omitted.... Furthermore, the notice should be modified if the employer sponsors a health FSA or has other special situations, such as an EAP."  MORE >>

"This [article] presents an overview of eating disorders and how they are treated. It also covers mental health parity requirements under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA).... In the latest statement on eating disorders, EBSA Assistant Secretary Lisa Gomez writes that people seeking treatment for eating disorders, such as therapy, medications, nutritional counseling, or residential treatment programs, should not face barriers or roadblocks that do not exist for medical treatments."  MORE >>

"This is the first law of its kind in the United States as it provides a separate bank of paid, protected leave for pregnant employees for prenatal care above and beyond existing paid leave entitlements."  MORE >>

"With about a quarter of healthcare benefits costs attributed to pharmacy benefits, it's not surprising that 92% of survey respondents said they're concerned about high-cost drugs in the pipeline, and 91% are concerned about the pharmacy cost trend overall.... What is a PBM? ... How do PBMs work? ... Who should consider a PBM? ... What are the advantages of a PBM?"  MORE >>

74 pages."VBC payment arrangements seek to align payment with performance on quality, cost, and patient experience.... [This playbook] identifies several voluntary best practices sourced from the direct experience of physicians, VBC entities, and health plans focused on alleviating pain points where possible to deliver better health and smarter spending for patients and communities."  MORE >>

"Well over 50 percent of U.S. states are now 'ICHRA friendly' -- meaning individual coverage premiums are lower than small group premiums.... [T]he number of workers offered an ICHRA in 2023 grew by 171 percent compared to 2022, ... The ICHRA solution provides an affordable alternative to traditional group plans, enabling employers to make themselves more attractive to top talent without dramatically overspending."  MORE >>