"[FAQs Part 72] describe three pathways for employers to offer fertility benefits as excepted benefits under existing guidance: [1] independent, non-coordinated insurance policies covering fertility benefits; [2] excepted benefit HRAs reimbursing out-of-pocket costs for fertility benefits; and [3] EAPs providing non-medical services related to fertility care."  MORE >>

"AB 260, effective September 26, 2025, requires California regulated health plans with prescription drug benefits to cover mifepristone even when [FDA] labeling or federal risk evaluation strategies would otherwise limit its use.... AB 144 requires California regulated health plans to cover preventive services without cost-sharing or prior authorization ... as [federal] recommendations existed on January 1, 2025.... California is 'locking in' the federal and professional standards that were in place on that date, regardless of any future changes or litigation at the federal level.... SB 41, effective January 1, 2026 ... bans spread pricing and requires PBMs to use pass-through pricing models so plans pay pharmacies what PBMs reimburse them, plus a transparent administrative fee."  MORE >>

"Minnesota's paid leave program goes into effect January 1, 2026 ... Employers who have not yet done so should: [1] Provide notice to employees. [2] Consider whether to adopt an equivalent plan. [3] Review their other policies to ensure alignment with the new state program."  MORE >>

"Beginning on January 1, 2026, Minnesota's new Paid Leave Law (PLL) will require nearly all employers to provide up to 20 weeks of paid family and medical leave through a new statewide program. The change introduces new payroll contributions, compliance obligations, and employee protections.... The law applies to employers with one employee working in Minnesota, regardless of the size."  MORE >>

"Although the plaintiff pleaded only state-law claims -- including fraud, negligent misrepresentation, conversion, unjust enrichment, and civil conspiracy -- the court held that ERISA's 'extraordinary pre-emptive power' converted those claims into federal claims under ERISA Section 502(a). Because the plaintiff already had a parallel ERISA action pending over the same conduct, the court allowed dismissal of the duplicative suit." [Patterson v. UnitedHealth Group, Inc., No. 25-3175 (6th Cir. Dec. 2, 2025)]  MORE >>

"Dozens of class action lawsuits have been filed challenging these programs. Several cases have been settled, but the majority are continuing to work their way through the courts. The cases often raise similar issues: I[1] Meaning of 'full reward' ... [2] Time to complete 'reasonable alternative standard' ... [3] Notice of alternative standard ... [4] Breach of fiduciary duty."  MORE >>

"Interactive wellness programs, which can facilitate health risk assessment and increased digital engagement from policyowners, are potentially an emerging trend among U.S. life insurers. While John Hancock Vitality has stood as the preeminent wellness offering in the life insurance space since 2015, more recently launched programs indicate that other top life insurers are noticing the value created by this level of digital engagement with policyowners."  MORE >>

"While gains were made in structuring individual market health plan choices in the ACA, additional standards for plan design, marketing, and enrollment could improve consumer satisfaction and health care affordability. However, progress toward these goals could be undermined by future administrative or congressional changes, such as allowing alternative plan types or rolling back regulations that promote standardization."  MORE >>

"Preliminary results from GAO's ongoing covert testing suggest fraud risks in the advance premium tax credit (APTC) persist.... GAO's preliminary analyses identified over 29,000 SSNs in plan year 2023 and nearly 68,000 SSNs in plan year 2024 used to receive more than one year's worth of insurance coverage with APTC in a single plan year.  ... GAO's preliminary analyses also identified at least 30,000 applications in plan year 2023 and at least 160,000 applications in plan year 2024 that had likely unauthorized changes by agents or brokers." [GAO-26-108742 Dec. 3, 2025]  MORE >>

"A website for Trump accounts has been created, and additional information on how to sign up will be released on Dec. 17. At least a few details will need to be sorted out, including eligible custodians, acceptable investment strategies, the status of foreign securities in pooled vehicles, and enforcing the prohibition on early withdrawals, among other issues."  MORE >>

"Notice 2025-68 provides the first round of helpful guidance for IRA providers interested in maintaining these accounts, and employers interested in funding these accounts for their employees.... Most notable is the confirmation that parents can make pre-tax salary deductions (up to $2,500, indexed) through a cafeteria plan to contribute to their child's Trump account. Of course, employers can also simply elect to contribute up to $2,500 (indexed) tax-free to the Trump accounts of their employees under age 18 or to the accounts of their employees' dependents under age 18."  MORE >>