17 pages. "This guidance paper deals specifically with questions about preemption of state PBM laws under [ERISA] ... [It] provides some guidance related to ERISA preemption by undertaking an analysis of the different types of state PBM laws and considering how appellate courts have applied the reasoning in Rutledge to those laws."  MORE >>

"[If] your company is an applicable large employer (i.e., if you employed an average of 50 or more full-time employees (or equivalents) in the preceding year), you could face potential employer shared responsibility penalties if you do not offer coverage to an employee's child through the last day of the month containing the child's 26th birthday.... Regulations implementing the penalties specifically provide that a child is a dependent for the entire calendar month during which he or she attains age 26."  MORE >>

"This fourth extension of QPA nonenforcement relief underscores the significant operational difficulties and continued uncertainty facing plans and insurers. Plan sponsors and advisors should confirm that their TPAs or insurers are aware of this latest extension and understand its implications for ongoing claim administration and IDR proceedings"  MORE >>

"The lawsuit ... claims Northwestern violated its fiduciary duty as a plan sponsor under [ERISA]. According to the complaint, the university offered multiple preferred provider organization health plans but failed to properly evaluate and disclose that one option -- the higher-premium 'Premier PPO' -- provided no meaningful advantage over cheaper alternatives." [Barbich v. Northwestern Univ., No. 25-6849 (N.D. Ill. Apr. 2, 2026)]  MORE >>

"65% of employed adults would be more likely to use a GLP-1 medication if their employer covered at least part of the cost. Another 56% said they would be willing to pay out of pocket if their employer offered a behavioral support program to help manage weight loss."  MORE >>

30 pages. "This reform agenda is designed as a 'bill of rights' to ban abuses that deny care, lower deductibles, and stop premium shocks -- in other words, to respond to the growing feeling that health insurance costs too much and offers too little value or protection. A key theme of this report is that markets in health care are highly concentrated, driving up medical prices and premiums."  MORE >>

"In these many situations where AI increases productivity without necessarily improving accuracy or outcomes, or when AI can perform services autonomously, current payment paradigms that reimburse based on human labor inputs like time and skill just don’t fit well.  This may lead to overspending and overuse, which must be balanced with the health benefits of access to the technologies."  MORE >>

"Trustees and administrators must treat AI vendors as ERISA service providers for ERISA purposes. AI tools much be carefully vetted to ensure compliance with ERISA. Legal, IT, trustees and vendors share responsibility for ethical and effective AI use. ERISA plan fiduciaries must act prudently in selecting and monitoring service providers, including with respect to their use of AI. Some of DOL's cybersecurity best practices can be adapted to AI systems, such as strong access control procedures, prudent annual risk assessments and vendor oversight."  MORE >>