"For the time period of October 1-December 31, 54 Part B rebatable drugs have an adjusted coinsurance rate based on the inflation-adjusted payment amount. People with Traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage who use these drugs may, depending on other health coverage they may have, pay a reduced amount for their coinsurance during this specific quarter. For the quarter, October 1-December 31, people with Medicare may experience coinsurance amounts that are lower than what they would have paid before the new law passed by as much as $1-$3,854 per day."  MORE >>

"The Final Rules amend the definitions of 'medical/surgical benefits' and 'mental health benefits' by removing reference to state guidelines.... The meaningful benefit requirement found in the proposed rules has been finalized, but modified.  ... The Final Rules revise the requirements applicable to NQTLs.... The Final Rules also solidified various requirements relating to compliance with the CAA's NQTL written comparative analysis requirement."  MORE >>

"For hospital indemnity and other fixed indemnity plans, plans and issuers must prominently display the notice below in marketing, application, and enrollment materials for plan years beginning or renewing on or after January 1, 2025. The notice must be on the first page (either paper or electronic) of any marketing, application, and enrollment materials for a fixed indemnity plan in at least 14-point font."  MORE >>

"Under Maryland law, employees may take up to two hours of paid leave to vote on Election Day if they do not have two consecutive off-duty hours while polls are open.... Under D.C. Law, employees may take up to two hours of paid leave to vote in person (wherever they are registered to vote, including outside the District, and regardless of whether they have sufficient off-duty time in which to vote).... Under W.V. law, employees may take up to three hours of leave to vote, which is paid unless the employee had at least three consecutive off-duty hours in which to vote but failed to do so."  MORE >>

"The court explained that Plaintiffs must show that they have an individual right to the withheld rebate monies, such that MetLife's purportedly unlawful retention of the monies harmed Plaintiffs. Because Plaintiffs failed to allege financial harm that is actual or imminent, they lack Article III standing." [Knudsen v. MetLife Grp., Inc., No. 23-2420 (3d Cir. Sep. 25, 2024)]  MORE >>

"[S]teps to minimize the potential for litigation from an alleged breach of fiduciary duty ... [1]Create and maintain a health and welfare benefits committee that handles plan administration and ERISA compliance. [2] Institute a regular process to monitor and review all plan vendor and service provider activities. [3] Regularly review and revise all contracts with plan vendors and service providers, ensuring they include appropriate indemnification provisions. [4] Hold regular fiduciary duty training for all affected parties. [5] Purchase appropriate ERISA fidelity bonds and consider fiduciary liability coverage. [6] Determine whether plans should be bundled under ERISA or kept separate."  MORE >>