"Since the last update of this standard, changes have been made to ASOP No. 5 ... and ASOP No. 42 ... due in part to the changes imposed by the [ACA].... [T]his revision of ASOP No. 28 reflects these changes in actuarial practice.... This revision clarifies guidance relating to the applicability of this standard for actuaries issuing non-statutory statements of actuarial opinions or statutory statements of actuarial opinions for health entities not subject to the NAIC rules."  MORE >>

"Part I: HSA Contributions and Deduction.... Part II: HSA Distributions.... Part III: Income and Additional Tax for Failure To Maintain HDHP Coverage."  MORE >>

"Reversing prior law, the final regulations unambiguously prohibit categorical coverage exclusions or limitations for health services related to gender transition or other gender-affirming care.... But prohibiting categorical coverage exclusions is not the same thing as requiring covered entities to provide access to gender-affirming care under all circumstances."  MORE >>

"To gain access to weight-loss drugs, many small businesses may have to switch insurance carriers, and probably pay more.... Employers also have to decide how much of that can be reasonably passed to employees ... [A]ny business with at least 50 employees might consider working with a captive health insurance plan ... A GLP-1 drug standalone coverage option could also work for some small businesses."  MORE >>

"HDHP and traditional plan enrollees are both satisfied with the quality of care received and choice of doctors. Differences in overall satisfaction may be driven by cost sharing. HDHP enrollees are less likely than traditional plan enrollees to be extremely/very satisfied with out-of-pocket expenses for prescription drugs and other health care services."  MORE >>

"[I]ndividuals and businesses in parts of Massachusetts affected by severe storms and flooding that began on Sept. 11, 2023 ... now have until July 31, 2024, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make payments. ... [I]ndividuals and households that reside or have a business in Bristol and Worcester counties qualify for tax relief."  MORE >>

"Consistent with commentary to the Rule, the main thrust of the FTC's response argues it has authority to issue the Rule pursuant to the Federal Trade Commission Act's directive that Congress 'empowered and directed' the FTC to prevent the use of unfair methods of competition through rulemaking. The FTC also devotes significant briefing to dispelling the application of the 'major questions doctrine' to curtail its regulatory ability." [Ryan LLC v. FTC, No. 24-0986 (N.D. Tex. response to motion for stay filed May 29, 2024)]  MORE >>

Health Issues include: [1] Proposed Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder parity regulations; [2] No Surprises Act (NSA) implementation; [3] Electronic delivery rules and other guidance for providing applicable notices and making participant elections; [4] Streamlining employer reporting requirements under the ACA; [5] High-Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) modernization.

Retirement and Compensation Issues include: [1] Matching contributions for student loan payments and other account contributions; [2] Catch-up contributions; [3] Clarify the automatic enrollment mandate exemption for existing plans; [4] De minimis financial incentives; [5] Overpayments and self-correction; [6] Optional Roth match; [7] Notice and disclosure; [8] Missing participants, including guidance on uncashed checks.  MORE >>