The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was signed into law in December 2017. The Act eliminated the individual mandate of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) beginning in 2019. And so individuals will no longer owe a tax [...]
1. In 2016, the IRS, DOL and HHS (the "Agencies") issued additional guidance on the federal mental health parity law. They confirmed plans cannot impose different "non-quantitative treatment limitations" (such as preauthorization requirements) on mental health and substance abuse [...]
1. Under PPACA, non-grandfathered plans must provide in-network preventive care benefitswithout cost-sharing. In 2016, the IRS, DOL and HHS (the "Agencies") published FAQs clarifying preventive care requirements for colonoscopies and contraceptives. Also, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force [...]
Montanile v. Board of Trustees of Nat. Elevator Industry Health Benefit Plan A copy of the decision is available at: http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/15pdf/14-723_1bn2.pdf. Many ERISA health plans will advance payment of a participant's accident-related medical expenses so long as [...]
1. Federal law does not expressly require that ERISA health plans cover same-sex spouses . However, in 2015 the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ("EEOC") took the position that sexual orientation is protected under federal anti-discrimination law (Title VII). [...]
On October 1, 2014, the IRS, DOL and HHS (the "Departments") issued final regulations on "excepted benefits," which are generally exempt from HIPAA's portability rules and Health Care Reform's benefit mandates.79 FR 59130. These regulations were [...]
1. In June 2013 the Supreme Court issued its decision in U.S. v. Windsor, invalidating a section of DOMA, the law which limited federal recognition of marriages to opposite-sex couples.U.S. v. Windsor, 133 S. Ct. 2675 (2013). [...]
In June 2013 the Supreme Court issued a decision invalidating a section of DOMA, the law which limited federal recognition of marriages to opposite-sex couples. U.S. v. Windsor, 133 S. Ct. 2675 (2013). And so, applicable state [...]
In November 2013, the IRS, DOL, and HHS (the "agencies") jointly issued final regulations implementing the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 ("MHPAEA"), and a related set of FAQs. Generally, MHPAEA prohibits group [...]
On September 9, 2013, the IRS released two new sets of proposed regulations covering plan sponsor, insurer and large employer reporting requirements designed to implement key provisions of the Affordable Care Act (“ACA”). The first set [...]