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 [...]
On September 13, 2013, the IRS and DOL issued new Q&A guidanceIRS Notice 2013-54 and DOL Technical Release 2013-03. HHS has also published a memorandum stating that it concurs in the application of the laws under [...]
HIPAA generally prohibits health plans from discriminating against individuals based on a health factor –such as nicotine addiction, high blood pressure, or diabetes. Under current guidance, a wellness program is not treated as discriminatory if it [...]
In January 2013, HHS issued final regulations updating the HIPAA privacy and security rules. The new regulations reflect changes made by HITECH and GINA, The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009 [...]
After the DOL’s Fee Disclosure Rules: Best Practices for Fiduciaries Institutional Investor Forum | September 11, 2012 Presented by Steve McCaffrey and Ellen Mondress Click here to download the PowerPoint Presentation
New Guidance Related To Health Plans & Health Care Reform (PPACA) Proposed Safe Harbor on Determining "Affordability" for Employer Excise Tax Purposes & Proposed IRS Regulations on the PPACA Premium Tax Credit Starting in 2014, large [...]
Last month, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued final regulations under Title II of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA). The regulations are effective January 10, 2011, and impact both employment practices and [...]
On March 2, 2010, the Temporary Extension Act of 2010 ("Extension Act") was signed into law extending and expanding (once again) the federal COBRA premium subsidy program. (The program was originally enacted on February 17, 2009, [...]