"The Rule complicates the application of the 'Required by Law' exception for disclosure of certain types of PHI. Group health plans should therefore pay close attention to the new requirements of the Rule, ensure they obtain proper attestations in the event of such requests, and of course avoid newly prohibited disclosures."  MORE >>

"While the DOL guidelines do not specify what constitutes an administrative cost, it is generally accepted that these costs ... do not include the effort to track down former participants. Note that the opportunity to exclude participants from MLR rebate actions based on a cost/benefit analysis pertains only to former participants and does not also apply to current participants."  MORE >>

36 pages. "[This report] analyzes major trends and issues affecting the self- funded medical stop loss market over the past year, including: [1] Medical stop loss claims trends; [2] The rise of preterm birth rates; [3] New weight loss drugs: GLP-1 agonists; [4] Specialty pharmacy pricing innovations; [5] Cell and gene therapy advancements; [6] Legislative updates; [7] Medical stop loss captives."  MORE >>

"[T]here are a variety of tools and programs that can improve healthcare affordability for employees.... [1] Benefits literacy ... [2] Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) ... [3] Lifestyle Spending Accounts (LSAs) ... [4] Health Payment Accounts (HPAs)."  MORE >>

"[T]he program [can] be evaluated according to four categories of outcomes: beneficiary access, prices and spending, promotion of value, and effects on innovation.... [B]eneficiaries will likely judge the program based on their personal savings on the selected drugs. This is complicated because other parts of the IRA -- notably, the $2,000 annual out-of-pocket spending cap -- may overshadow any financial effects of the price negotiation program."  MORE >>

"Most policies provide for life insurance continuation after employment; however, continuation of coverage is not automatic, and certain steps need to be taken if an employee wishes to maintain their life insurance.... [1] Understanding life insurance continuation ... [2] Employer's obligations regarding continuation of life insurance ... [3] Consequences of discontinuation of life insurance ... [4] Remedies and legal recourse."  MORE >>

"[I[ndividuals and businesses in Vermont that were affected by severe storms and flooding that began on Aug. 8, 2024 ... now have until Feb. 3, 2025, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.... [I]ndividuals and households that reside or have a business in Addison, Bennington, Caledonia, Chittenden, Essex, Franklin, Grand Isle, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, Rutland, Washington, Windham, and Windsor counties qualify for tax relief."  MORE >>

"[1] Determine if the FTC ban covers your industry.... [2] Determine which workers are exempt from the notice.... [3] Determine how to deliver the notice.... [4] Understand the difference between a non-compete, a non-solicit and a non-hire provision.... [5] Do not just adopt the Sample Notice you find online.  ... [6] Come up with a plan for what agreements you are going to put in place for new employees who join the company after September 3, 2024, if the Final Rule is not enjoined."  MORE >>