"While [CMS] extended many of the flexibilities introduced during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) multiple times over the years, many of these policies are set to expire ... September 30, 2025 -- and others will expire on December 31, 2025. Several bills are pending ... [h]owever, to date, no long-term legislation has offered a solution to make a broad range of telehealth services a permanent benefit under Medicare."  MORE >>

"The deadline has passed for the Trump Administration to appeal the district court decision vacating the HIPAA Privacy Rule to Support Reproductive Health Care that went into effect at the end of 2024.... As a result, many group health plan sponsors will still need to revise their plan's HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices ... [T]his 'how‑to guide' [provides] a brief overview of the Privacy Notice requirements for health plan sponsors seeking to comply with their obligations under the HIPAA Privacy Rule."  MORE >>

"New York State plans to end its Section 1332 Waiver and revert to the Basic Health Program due to major federal funding cuts. Essential Plan eligibility will be limited to residents with incomes up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). The state is seeking comments on the proposed transition through October 10, 2025."  MORE >>

"On July 14, 2025, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe signed Senate Bill 79 into law, which, among other things, allows Farm Bureau to offer health plans in Missouri to Farm Bureau members.... Proponents of Farm Bureau health plans believe the legislation fills gaps for those who would otherwise go without coverage. Critics argue these plans provide inferior healthcare coverage and lack regulatory oversight by operating outside of insurance laws."  MORE >>

"Minnesota is launching a statewide Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFL) program on January 1, 2026 -- a sweeping new benefit program that will offer job-protected leave and partial wage-replacement benefits to nearly all Minnesota workers. Though benefits don't begin until 2026, employers must act now to prepare, with compliance deadlines starting as early as December 1, 2025."  MORE >>

"The Eleventh Circuit ruled that a county health insurance plan’s exclusion of gender-affirming surgery did not violate Title VII, interpreting protections for LGBTQ+ individuals narrowly. The court concluded that the plan’s policy was not facially discriminatory since it applied equally to all employees regardless of sex. A dissenting opinion argued that the ruling improperly relied on a precedent that should not apply to Title VII discrimination cases involving medical conditions that impact employees differently based on sex." [Lange v. Houston County, Georgia, No. 22-13626 (11th Cir. Sep. 9, 2025)]   MORE >>

"Aon projects a 9.5% increase in 2026, marking the third consecutive year with price hikes approaching double digits. The continued rise in chronic and high-cost conditions remains a primary driver of escalating medical costs in the United States. Prescription drug spending is also rising, driven by greater use of costly brand-name and specialty medications."  MORE >>

"For wealth advisors and RIAs, the implications of this ongoing dispute extend beyond the legal maneuvers. Deferred compensation remains a powerful retention tool across the wirehouse and brokerage landscape ... If courts or regulators were to determine that such programs fall under ERISA, it could significantly alter how firms structure advisor pay, adding compliance burdens and limiting forfeiture provisions that firms rely on to retain talent." [DOL Advisory Opinion 2025-03A; O'Neill v. Morgan Stanley, No. 24-00358 (FINRA Aug. 8, 2025)]  MORE >>