29 Oct Final Rule on Health Care Transparency Issued
On Oct. 29, 2020, the Departments of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Treasury (Departments) issued a final rule regarding transparency in coverage that imposes new transparency requirements on group health plans and health insurers in the individual and group markets. These provisions only apply to non-grandfathered coverage, including both insured and self-insured group health plan sponsors.
This final rule was issued in response to an executive order issued on June 24, 2019, aimed at improving price and quality transparency in health care. 25 Sep DOL Proposes Changes to FLSA Independent Contractor Classification Test
On Sept. 22, 2020, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a proposed rule to clarify how employers should classify their workers as either employees or independent contractors.
Accurate worker classification enables employers to determine which obligations, protections, rights and benefits apply to their employees under the law.
08 Sep Open Enrollment 2021—Benefit Notices
Employers that sponsor group health plans should provide certain benefit notices in connection with their plans’ open enrollment periods. Some of these notices must be provided at open enrollment time, such as the summary of benefits and coverage (SBC).
Other notices, such as the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA) notice, must be distributed annually. Although these annual notices may be provided at different times throughout the year, employers often choose to include them in their open enrollment materials for administrative convenience.