Benefits Forward

The Office of Management and Budget releases the DOL Fall 2011 regulatory agenda and rule status report. Document Excerpt Link http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaMain?operation=OPERATION_GET_AGENCY_RULE_LIST&currentPub=true&agencyCd=1200&Image58.x=54&Image58.y=13&Image58=Submit

HHS has published a final rule implementing provisions regarding the reporting of gross covered retiree plan related prescription drug costs and retained rebates by Retiree Drug Subsidy sponsors. Document Excerpt This final rule implements and finalizes provisions regarding the reporting of gross covered retiree planrelated prescription drug costs (gross retiree costs) and retained rebates by [...]

The DOL has revised its website to reflect its revision to the interim electronic disclosure policy under the participant disclosure regulations. Document Excerpt On September 13, 2011, the Department issued Technical Release 2011-03 (TR 2011-03), which sets forth an interim enforcement policy regarding the use of electronic media to satisfy the disclosure requirements under 29 [...]

The DOL has issued a Fact Sheet on its proposed regulations governing MEWAs issued to reflect the Affordable Care Act. Document Excerpt Link http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/newsroom/fsproposedm1revisions.html

The DOL has issued a notice of proposed revision to the Form M-1 required to be filed by MEWAs. Document Excerpt This document announces proposed revisions to the Form M-1, Report for Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangements (MEWAs) and Certain Entities Claiming Exception (ECEs). The revisions can be viewed on the Employee Benefits Security Administration’s (EBSA) [...]

The DOL has issued a Notice of proposed revisions to the Form 5500 for MEWAs. Document Excerpt This document contains proposed revisions to the Form 5500 Annual Return/Report filed by administrators of employee benefit plans. The proposed revisions are intended to enhance the Department of Labor’s ability to enforce the reporting requirements for multiple employer [...]

The DOL has issued proposed rules governing reporting requirements by MEWAs. Document Excerpt This document contains a proposed rule under title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) that, upon adoption, would implement reporting requirements for multiple employer welfare arrangements (MEWAs) and certain other entities that offer or provide health benefits for employees [...]

Pursuant to the authority provided in the Affordable Care Act, the DOL has issued proposed rules governing Ex Parte Cease and Desist and Summary Seizure Orders for multiple employer welfare arrangements the agency deems fraudulent or a danger. Document Excerpt This document contains two proposed rules under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 [...]

HHS releases final rule on Medical Loss Ratio requirements for issuers. Document Excerpt This final rule with comment period revises the regulations implementing medical loss ratio (MLR) requirements for health insurance issuers under the Public Health Service Act in order to address the treatment of “mini-med” and expatriate policies under these regulations for years after [...]

A Technical Release on fiduciary requirements for handling medical loss ratio rebates is now available at the DOL’s website. Document Excerpt Section 2718 of the Public Health Service Act (PHSA), 42 U.S.C. 300gg-18, as added by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Affordable Care Act) (Pub.L. 111-148, 124 Stat. 119), enacted on March 23, [...]