"The proposal would require that entities covered by [HIPAA] achieve specific technical standards like encryption and multifactor authentication. The rule also holds business associates to higher security standards and emphasizes that group health plans have a responsibility to protect electronic health information."  MORE >>

"The Acts generally codify regulatory rules giving employers and plans flexibility in reporting, and provide additional relief in the enforcement process.... [E]mployers will have more time to respond to government requests for penalty assessments, and there is a new six-year statute of limitations."  MORE >>

"[F]or each state mandating health coverage [this chart shows] the requirements and responsibilities for individuals and employers along with the penalties for non-compliance."  MORE >>

2025 edition; 49 pages, with audio. "Topics ... [1] Plan Document and SPD: Understanding the role of wrap documents to satisfy ERISA requirements ... [2] Form 5500: When the reporting requirement applies, the potential penalties, and distributing the SAR to employees ... [3] A practical look into the core four ERISA fiduciary duties for employers ... [4] Establish clearly defined eligibility classes and conditions consistently applied to avoid issues ... [5] ERISA preemption, annual notices, benefits that may or may not be subject to ERISA."  MORE >>

"While many employers have expanded benefits in recent years, having more point solutions to manage can contribute to employees feeling frustrated and overwhelmed when trying to navigate their options. Providing employees with a care navigation solution can address this concern head on, by helping employees understand their options, choose the best provider and get the treatment they need."  MORE >>

"[T]he authors provide highlights from a conference held by the [HHS] Office for Civil Rights [OCR] and the National Institute of Standards and Technology [NIST], where attendees learned that the government is willing and able to provide significant help to the healthcare industry regarding data security."  MORE >>

"The MA VBID Model has aimed to use health plan benefits design to encourage healthy behaviors and promote whole-person health among segments of beneficiaries. It began in 2017 and, after being extended in 2023, was scheduled to run through 2030.... Costs incurred in the operation of the program under the aegis of the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) led to the impending termination. The center said costs totaled $4.5 billion spanning 2021 and 2022, an 'unprecedented' amount for CMMI pilots."  MORE >>