McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

MARCH 5, 2024

Group health plan sponsors, third-party administrators and other health plan service providers must navigate a shifting legal landscape as they determine how to offer gender-affirming benefits, including whether − and to what extent − group health plans must cover gender-affirming medical or surgical treatments, especially regarding minors.

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Medical Employee Benefits Health and Welfare 81

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

DECEMBER 5, 2023

This post continues our focus on comment letters submitted in response to proposed regulations under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA). The proposed regulations were issued earlier this year by the US Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and the Treasury (the Departments).

Employee Benefits 107

Employee Benefits Health and Welfare Medical 107

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

FEBRUARY 7, 2024

Multiple states – including Mississippi, New Jersey and Virginia – have been busy finalizing legislation and rulemaking to adopt interstate compacts and expand behavioral health access. The post States Adopt Interstate Compacts, Expand Behavioral Health Access appeared first on EMPLOYEE BENEFITS BLOG.

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Employee Benefits Health and Welfare 78

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

NOVEMBER 2, 2023

Discrimination on the basis of disability has contributed to significant disparities in healthcare and child welfare.

Health and Welfare 80

Health and Welfare Healthcare Employee Benefits 80

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

JANUARY 23, 2024

On January 2, 2024, McDermott filed an amicus curiae brief on behalf of the ERISA Industry Committee (ERIC) and the United States Chamber of Commerce (Chamber) in United Behavioral Health v. 23-586, in the US Supreme Court.

Employee Benefits 78

Employee Benefits Health and Welfare 78

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

JUNE 20, 2023

At a recent open Commission meeting, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) voted unanimously to issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to amend the Health Breach Notification Rule (HBNR). The FTC’s proposed amendment aims to codify the HBNR’s application to digital health and mobile technologies.

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Commissions Technology Employee Benefits Health and Welfare 88

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

DECEMBER 13, 2023

The enactment of the Affordable Care Act in 2010 led to a sharp increase in employers self-funding their group health insurance plans, with the market tripling in size in the decade that followed.

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Health Insurance Employment Medical Insurance 78

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

AUGUST 3, 2023

Following in the footsteps of Washington State’s My Health My Data Act, the governors of Nevada and Connecticut recently approved Nevada SB 370 and Connecticut SB 3. These bills impose a number of new requirements on the processing of consumer health data.

Employee Benefits 85

Employee Benefits Health and Welfare 85

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

AUGUST 8, 2023

The proposed regulations […] The post Treasury, DOL and HHS Issue Landmark Mental Health Parity Proposed Rule appeared first on EMPLOYEE BENEFITS BLOG.

Medical 85

Medical Employee Benefits Health and Welfare 85

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

SEPTEMBER 19, 2023

Generally, these bills seek to codify (or modify) the requirements around hospital and health plan price transparency as […] The post A Look into House Efforts on Hospital and Health Plan Price Transparency appeared first on EMPLOYEE BENEFITS BLOG.

Hospitality 82

Hospitality Healthcare Education Employee Benefits 82

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

AUGUST 24, 2023

What is the current state of digital health? In this TripleTree article, Alya Sulaiman offers her perspective on some of the essential AI questions facing the digital health space. Access […] The post Digital Health and the Direction of AI in Healthcare appeared first on EMPLOYEE BENEFITS BLOG.

Healthcare 81

Healthcare Employee Benefits Health and Welfare 81

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

JUNE 21, 2023

US lawmakers recently advanced a broad healthcare bill during a US House Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee markup. In this Health Policy Breakroom podcast episode, McDermott+Consulting’s Debra Curtis and Rodney Whitlock break down the markup and address extenders, PBMs, site-neutral policies and the timing of this bill.

Healthcare 78

Healthcare Consulting Employee Benefits Health and Welfare 78

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

MAY 2, 2023

The My Health My Data Act in Washington State (the Act) is expected to be signed into law by Governor Jay Inslee this year, after being passed by both the Washington Senate and House in different versions.

Employee Benefits 82

Employee Benefits Health and Welfare Commissions Health Insurance 82

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

AUGUST 30, 2023

In May 2023, the Florida Legislature amended the Florida Electronic Health Records Exchange Act to add a provision regarding the security and storage of patient information. The post Guarding the Gateway: Florida Tightens Grip on Electronic Health Records Storage appeared first on EMPLOYEE BENEFITS BLOG.

Electronics 77

Electronics Healthcare Employee Benefits Health and Welfare 77

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

MAY 17, 2023

Recently, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced (See Revenue Procedure 2023-23) cost-of-living adjustments to the applicable dollar limits for health savings accounts (HSAs), high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) and excepted benefit health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) for 2024.

Health Savings Account 65

Health Savings Account Deductions Deductible Employee Benefits 65

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

APRIL 25, 2023

Major Points: […] The post Health Data in the EU and UK: Regulatory Trends and Developments appeared first on EMPLOYEE BENEFITS BLOG. Major Points: […] The post Health Data in the EU and UK: Regulatory Trends and Developments appeared first on EMPLOYEE BENEFITS BLOG.

Employee Benefits 80

Employee Benefits Health and Welfare IT 80

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

MAY 14, 2024

On March 18, 2024, the US Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued an update to its December 1, 2022, bulletin titled “Use of Online Tracking Technologies by HIPAA Covered Entities and Business Associates.”

Technology 62

Technology Employee Benefits Health and Welfare Health Insurance 62

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

MAY 8, 2024

However, according to this KFF Health News article, Congress will likely “kick the can” past the November election. The post Congress Likely to Kick the Can on COVID-Era Telehealth Policies appeared first on EMPLOYEE BENEFITS BLOG. Access the article.

Employee Benefits 77

Employee Benefits Health and Welfare 77

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

APRIL 29, 2022

Recently, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced (See Revenue Procedure 2022-24) cost-of-living adjustments to the applicable dollar limits for health savings accounts (HSAs), high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) and excepted benefit health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) for 2023.

Health Savings Account 88

Health Savings Account Deductions Deductible Employee Benefits 88

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

JUNE 1, 2023

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently issued a Chief Counsel Advice memorandum to remind sponsors of health and dependent care flexible spending arrangements (FSAs) about their responsibility to adequately substantiate claims in order to receive favorable tax treatment under Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code (the Code).

Flexible Spending 80

Flexible Spending Taxes Employee Benefits Health and Welfare 80

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

DECEMBER 15, 2022

A North Carolina health plan’s refusal to cover gender dysphoria treatment violated the Affordable Care Act. Biggs is a win for participants and parents of transgender children enrolled in the North Carolina State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees. McDermott’s […].

Employee Benefits 76

Employee Benefits Health and Welfare 76

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

JULY 27, 2022

Wade, health lawyers have been busy making sense of the legal implications of the court’s landmark ruling. The post Abortion Questions Swirl Over Health Lawyers in Post-Roe World appeared first on EMPLOYEE BENEFITS BLOG. Following the US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v.

Hospitality 89

Hospitality Employee Benefits Health and Welfare Health Insurance 89

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

APRIL 18, 2024

offers some useful insights on the enforcement by private litigants of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA). UnitedHealth Group for the 2023 MHPAEA Proposed Rule appeared first on EMPLOYEE BENEFITS BLOG. UnitedHealth Group, Inc.,

Employee Benefits 83

Employee Benefits Health and Welfare Medical 83

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

JULY 20, 2023

A recent Internal Revenue Service (IRS) memorandum addresses the tax status of certain fixed-indemnity health plans that promise employers major payroll tax savings. The post IRS Clarifies Status of Fixed-Indemnity Health Plans Claiming Big Tax Savings appeared first on EMPLOYEE BENEFITS BLOG. Read the article.

Taxes 63

Taxes Payroll Employee Benefits Employment 63

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

MARCH 28, 2024

On January 11, 2024, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published its new final rule governing federal healthcare conscience protection statutes.

Healthcare 92

Healthcare Government Employee Benefits Health and Welfare 92

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

APRIL 17, 2024

The US Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights (OCR) recently reached a $4.75 million settlement with a New York City hospital for alleged violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Million Over HIPAA Violations appeared first on EMPLOYEE BENEFITS BLOG.

Hospitality 77

Hospitality Health Insurance Electronics Insurance 77

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

JANUARY 19, 2022

Healthcare and life sciences lawyers will likely have plenty of work in 2022 thanks to pending legislative and regulatory actions throughout the healthcare, health insurance, and drug and device industries. The post Wild Ride Awaits Health, Life Science Policy in 2022 appeared first on EMPLOYEE BENEFITS BLOG.

Health Insurance 79

Health Insurance Healthcare Insurance Employee Benefits 79

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

JANUARY 26, 2023

According to this Bloomberg article, disputes between providers and pharmaceutical companies were in limbo as the industry waited for the Biden administration to replace an administrative dispute resolution […] The post Drug Discount Review Boards Proposed by Biden Health Agency appeared first on EMPLOYEE BENEFITS BLOG.

Pharmaceutical 68

Pharmaceutical Employee Benefits Health and Welfare 68

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

JANUARY 11, 2023

We recently reported on an FAQ issued December 23, 2022 (FAQ About Affordable Care Act and Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 Implementation Part 56) by the US Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and the Treasury (collectively, the Departments).

Employee Benefits 76

Employee Benefits Health and Welfare Executive Compensation Retirement Plan 76

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

FEBRUARY 27, 2024

The US Department of Health and Human Services and the US Department of Justice recently published new proposed rules that update and create various requirements under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. What are some of the biggest changes? Read more here.

Healthcare 85

Healthcare Employee Benefits Health and Welfare 85

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

FEBRUARY 20, 2024

This post continues our consideration of comments submitted in response to proposed regulations under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA). Our previous MHPAEA content is available here.

Employee Benefits 77

Employee Benefits Health and Welfare Medical 77

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

APRIL 24, 2024

This chart displays health-related regulations that may be issued this year, organized by federal agency and date of potential release. Access the […] The post 2024 Chart of Healthcare Regulations appeared first on EMPLOYEE BENEFITS BLOG.

Healthcare 58

Healthcare Employee Benefits Health and Welfare Food 58

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

NOVEMBER 24, 2021

A coalition launched by several major health systems and a hospital-at-home company aims to continue delivering hospital-level-at-home care in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The post Major Health Systems, Hospital-at-Home Company Launch Advocacy Effort appeared first on EMPLOYEE BENEFITS BLOG.

Hospitality 70

Hospitality Consulting Employee Benefits Health and Welfare 70

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

JANUARY 4, 2024

Health Net Life Insurance Company, we return to our examination of the comments submitted in response to the proposed regulations under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA). After a brief hiatus to discuss the pleading standards adopted by the US Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit in E.W.

Life Insurance 81

Life Insurance Insurance Employee Benefits Health and Welfare 81

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

OCTOBER 25, 2023

The US Drug Enforcement Administration and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration have further extended flexibilities that allow providers to prescribe controlled substances via telemedicine without first performing an in-person visit. The extension runs through December 31, 2024. Read more here.

Employee Benefits 91

Employee Benefits Health and Welfare 91

McDermott Will & Emery Employee Benefits

MAY 7, 2024

The rate announcement is released annually and includes updates to the methodologies used to calculate MA plan payments, […] The post 340B Remedy Rule and Medicare Advantage Rates: Navigating Shifting Payments appeared first on EMPLOYEE BENEFITS BLOG.

Employee Benefits 84

Employee Benefits Health and Welfare 84

Snell & Wilmer Benefits

MARCH 9, 2022

As reported in our January 7, 2022 SW Benefits Blog “ The DOL Asks and Answers Questions About the New Welfare Plan Fee Disclosure Rules ,” group health plans must now comply with the ERISA Section 408(b)(2) disclosure requirements. United States Department of Health and Human Services, et al.,

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Health and Welfare Medical Retirement Plan Consulting 40