Important Update—Pre-Deductible Telehealth HSA Relief Ends on December 31, 2024: As discussed in our post below, although extension of the telehealth safe harbor was included in various bill drafts, the year-end spending bill signed into law on December 21, 2024 (American Relief Act, 2025) does not include pre-deductible telehealth relief. This means that the
Health Plan Compliance
Benefit Plan Deadlines Extended for Individuals Affected by Recent Natural Disasters
By Roberta Chevlowe & Alex Scharr on
Last week, the U.S. Departments of Labor and Treasury issued a Joint Notice requiring the extension of certain benefit plan deadlines for individuals affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton and Tropical Storm Helene.[1] The deadline extensions echo relief issued during the COVID-19 pandemic, but apply to a more limited group of individuals. The…
Deadlines Approaching for New ACA Section 1557 Nondiscrimination Requirements: Action Items for Covered Group Health Plans
Earlier this year, the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) released a final rule under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (“ACA”), which prohibits discrimination in health programs and activities. The 2024 final rule includes new administrative requirements for covered entities (which may include group health plans to the extent the plan receives…
Recent Health Plan Litigation Puts Family Building Benefits in Focus
By Jennifer Rigterink & Katrina McCann on
Family building benefits continue to be top of mind as employers and plan sponsors implement new benefit programs to support family building journeys for their employees. At the same time, there have been a few recent lawsuits challenging health plan eligibility criteria for infertility treatment coverage. This post summarizes the recent litigation and challenges for…