"The rule is largely aimed at retirement plans, however, the DOL did not provide sufficient guidance for health plans that include health savings accounts -- and if HSAs have an investment component, these plans will need to be in compliance before the September 22, 2024 effective date."  MORE >>

"The lawsuit alleges that the notice requirements imposed by the tri-departments exceed the statutory criteria that 'excepted benefits' plans like fixed indemnity insurance must meet to be exempt from the range of consumer protections under the ACA and other federal laws governing the terms of comprehensive health insurance." [Manhattan Life Ins. and Annuity Co. v. HHS, No. 24-0178 (E.D. Tex. complaint filed May 21, 2024)]  MORE >>

"Several courts have determined that in appropriate circumstances, the COBRA election period can be tolled (suspended) when a qualified beneficiary is incapacitated during the election period ... [Here] the employee elected COBRA and only later decided to stop making premium payments.... [T]he bigger issue in this case is the potential for confusion when enclosing information about multiple benefits in the same packet -- especially when the information calls for actions with different deadlines." [Harris v. UnitedHealth Grp., Inc., No. 23-2486 (N.D. Tex. May 28, 2024)  MORE >>

"Courts have generally reasoned that an employer's decision to deny COBRA based on gross misconduct should be evaluated based on evidence available to the employer at the time of the employee's discharge. The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected an employer's use of after-acquired evidence to justify a termination of employment ... [It] is unlikely that a court would allow COBRA coverage to be terminated -- retroactively or going forward -- when gross misconduct is discovered after an employee has elected COBRA. "  MORE >>

"Employers indicated the following coverage for GLP-1 drugs: 57% provide coverage for diabetes only (up from 49% in 2023); 34% provide coverage for both diabetes and weight loss (up from 26% in 2023). Of those that currently only offer GLP-1 coverage for diabetes, 19% are considering offering the drugs for weight loss."  MORE >>

"Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan will no longer cover GLP-1 drugs to treat obesity beginning in January ... A spokesperson for Michigan's largest insurer [said] it will drop coverage of GLP-1 drugs for weight loss in fully insured, large group commercial plans. The change will affect nearly 10,000 members taking the drugs. The spokesperson cited concerns over safety, effectiveness and cost as the reasons for the decision."  MORE >>

"This analysis examines publicly available formularies of plans available on the federally facilitated Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace in 2024 to identify how utilization management tools are used for GLP-1 agonists.... Employer plans may be more likely to cover drugs for weight loss than ACA Marketplace plans given the desire to attract workers, though they may employ similar utilization management strategies."  MORE >>

"The SIHRA may not be the perfect tool for controlling employer health plan costs. Still, for employers seeing spousal and dependent health costs consuming a large and ever-growing percentage of total health care spending, it allows the employer to develop an incentive for the employer's and employee's benefit."  MORE >>

16 pages. "Over the past five years, U.S. workers have consistently said they value the benefits their employers offer them. However, employers believe employees underutilize what's available. Many U.S. workers admit they don't fully understand the voluntary or supplemental benefits that are available or choose to purchase the additional opt-in benefits offered in the workplace. As digital tools, including artificial intelligence, become more prevalent in selecting and managing benefits, the human touch remains important for many workers to help them understand and navigate their options, customize what is right for them and submit a claim."  MORE >>

"During the full projection period (2023-32), growth in national health expenditures is projected to average 5.6 percent and outpace the nominal GDP growth rate of 4.3 percent. Underlying this differential are faster growth in personal health care prices ... the continued aging of the population; and increasingly more demand for health care relative to income growth. These factors contribute to a health share of the economy that is projected to reach 19.7 percent by 2032."  MORE >>

"The changes approved by the Pennsylvania Employee Benefits Trust Fund, which administers health care benefits for the vast majority of state employees and retirees and their dependents, include cutting the waiting period for employee's dependents to begin receiving medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage from 90 days down to 30 days of hiring without an additional buy-up contribution. This change that takes effect Aug. 1 could save a new employee nearly $2,700."  MORE >>

"[I]ndividuals and businesses in Arkansas that were affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding that occurred on May 24, 2024 ... now have until Nov. 1, 2024, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.... [I]ndividuals and households that reside or have a business in Baxter, Benton, Boone and Marion counties qualify for tax relief."  MORE >>

"Signed into law on May 17, Senate Bill 24-205 imposes stringent requirements on employers using AI to prevent algorithmic discrimination. Slated to take effect on February 1, 2026, the new law will require employers using 'high-risk' AI systems to implement risk management policies and programs, conduct impact assessments, and provide certain notices and disclosures."  MORE >>