"[EO 14221] directs [Treasury, DOL and HHS] to do the following within 90 days ... [1] Require the disclosure of the actual prices, not estimates, of items and services. [2] Issue updated guidance or proposed regulatory action ensuring pricing information is standardized and easily comparable across hospitals and health plans. [3] Issue guidance or proposed regulatory action updating enforcement policies designed to ensure compliance with the transparent reporting of complete, accurate and meaningful data."  MORE >>

"[S]takeholders should prepare for rulemaking and increased enforcement attention and activity regarding hospital price transparency and health plan transparency requirements. The proposed rules may require close collaboration between payors and hospitals when publishing price information to ensure alignment and consistency between these stakeholders."  MORE >>

"While the extent of the impact of the EO is difficult to surmise at this stage, particularly given the previous lack of enforcement of the health care price transparency requirements by federal agencies, the EO signals that health care price transparency is a priority for the Trump Administration."  MORE >>

"The court found that CBIZ, due to its involvement in providing misleading information and handling premium payments, could be considered as having acted in a fiduciary capacity, thus allowing the fiduciary duty claim against it to proceed. However, the court dismissed the fiduciary duty claim against Hartford, noting that Hartford was not required by ERISA or the plan documents to provide notice of conversion rights or coverage termination." [Butler v. Hartford Life & Accident Ins. Co., No. 23-3144 (D. Minn. Feb. 21, 2025)]  MORE >>

"To implement an effective GLP-1 strategy, employers can consider the following steps: [1] Gate coverage for GLP-1s ... [2] Identify at-risk employees ... [3] Select the appropriate solutions ... [4] Measure results."  MORE >>

"Mayo Clinic research reveals that menopause-related symptoms cost an estimated $1.8 billion in lost work time annually in the US, with total costs reaching $26.6 billion when medical expenses are included.... Despite affecting approximately 17.5% of the US workforce, menopause in the workplace remains one of the most overlooked aspects of workplace health policy."  MORE >>

"[T]he ERISA Advisory Council has not yet set a date for the year's first meeting, which typically occurs in March or April. The [DOL] has also not yet published reports the council presented to EBSA last year, including recommendations about lifetime income and qualified default investment alternatives[.]"  MORE >>

"The bill proposes that independent contractors open portable benefit accounts managed by providers, with contributions from hiring parties being optional and incentivized through state tax deductions. If passed, the new law will take effect on October 1, 2025."  MORE >>