"[DOL FAQs Part 72 provide] a road-map for companies to offer fertility health benefits for employees using existing regulations, promising new regulations to continue making the process easier. Coverage for these treatments has become more and more popular among large companies, but management-side attorneys say many questions remain about how it can be offered in a way that's useful for employees without being cost prohibitive for their employers."  MORE >>

"According to [FAQs Part 72], fertility benefits could be offered by employers as excepted benefits if they meet the following requirements: [1] Benefits are offered in a separate policy, certificate or contract of insurance. [2] There is no coordination between the provision of benefits and an exclusion of benefits under a group health plan from the same plan sponsor. [3] Benefits are paid with respect to an event without regard to whether benefits are provided with respect to such event under any group health plan maintained by the same plan sponsor."  MORE >>

"Compliance with HIPAA is not just about avoiding penalties; it's about demonstrating a commitment to safeguarding data. Organizations must ensure their policies are current and comprehensive, covering all aspects of privacy, security, and breach notification rules. This proactive approach helps prevent incidents and shows regulators that the organization is serious about compliance."  MORE >>

"Now, following a petition for rehearing, the Fifth Circuit has withdrawn its August opinion and issued a revised decision ... The new opinion keeps the same outcome -- largely favorable to the physician groups -- but clarifies the legal reasoning and provides a more detailed explanation of how equitable estoppel and assignment principles apply under ERISA." [Angelina Emerg. Med. Assocs. PA v. Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Alabama, No. 24-10306 (5th Cir. Oct. 23, 2025)]  MORE >>

"[M]ental health, chronic pain, and financial stress don't happen in isolation. Yet, too often, employee benefits are designed without regard for how they are truly connected."  MORE >>

"Cigna Group will eliminate prescription drug rebates in many of its commercial health plans in 2027, upending an opaque, controversial practice ... The insurer will expand the rebate-free model to clients of its pharmacy benefits business starting in 2028. The plan to eventually phase out rebates more broadly portends a seismic shift in the flow of billions of dollars among drugmakers, insurers and employers."  MORE >>

"U.S. consumers across the political spectrum are largely in favor of new legal protections against medical debt, and the majority are laying blame at the feet of the insurance industry rather than other healthcare players like hospitals or drugmakers ... [A recent survey] found about 35% currently owed money or have debts due to medical and dental expenses. Eighty-four percent said they believed having health insurance should protect people from medical debt, and 74% said the country's current health insurance system is 'mostly failing' in protecting from medical debt."  MORE >>

"The IDR process should not be exploited as a default pricing mechanism. Guardrails must be implemented to prevent abuse and ensure it remains a last resort. We urge the Departments to adopt reforms that ensure timely, transparent, and predictable resolution of payment disputes to protect plan sponsors and their enrollees."  MORE >>

"[IRS] plans remain on track to issue regulatory guidance under the One Big Beautiful Bill and continue preparations for the upcoming tax filing season.... DOL has paused work on much of its enforcement and regulatory activities.... During the shutdown, the SEC will not engage in rulemaking or issue any guidance. Much of the agency's routine oversight activities will also be paused.... PBGC is able to operate during the shutdown and will still process filings (e.g., premium filings, reportable events, and terminations), conduct investigations, and participate in litigation."  MORE >>

"Voluntary benefits and support related to retirement planning may be more appealing to your oldest employees than younger generations -- not just because they are closer to retirement age, but also because they are at higher risk of running out of retirement savings than their younger counterparts ... Benefits, education and decision-making tools related to managing chronic conditions can all support Boomers as they navigate their health care choices.... The obvious difference between Baby Boomers and younger colleagues is that they may prefer to receive support over the phone rather than exclusively online."  MORE >>