The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008’s (“MHPAEA”) provisions of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (the “CAA”) became effective February 10, 2021 and added a requirement for group health plans and...more
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (the “CAA”) that was signed into law on December 27, 2020, amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), the Public Health Service Act and the Internal Revenue...more
This webinar will include a discussion on the various provisions of the new surprise billing law, how it interacts with current law, expected guidance from the Biden Administration, and implications for health insurance...more
1/6/2021
/ Biden Administration ,
Health Care Providers ,
Health Insurance ,
Health Plan Sponsors ,
Healthcare Reform ,
Hospitals ,
New Legislation ,
Out of Network Provider ,
Physicians ,
Surprise Medical Bills ,
Webinars
In the recently-decided Rutledge v. Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (“PCMA”), the Supreme Court found 8–0 (Justice Barrett did not take part) that ERISA did not preempt an Arkansas state law that established...more
1/5/2021
/ Corporate Counsel ,
Drug Pricing ,
Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) ,
Health Insurance ,
Pharmaceutical Industry ,
Pharmacies ,
Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) ,
Preemption ,
Prescription Drug Coverage ,
Prescription Drugs ,
Rutledge v Pharmaceutical Care Management Association ,
SCOTUS
On December 21, the House and Senate passed a $2.3 trillion omnibus appropriations and COVID-19 relief package, H.R. 133, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (the “Act”). President Trump signed the Act into law on...more
The dust has settled and the 2020 election has concluded with former Vice President Biden poised to become president. At the same time, Democratic control of the House of Representatives has narrowed to the smallest margin...more
Regular readers of this Benefits Brief will recall that there is a case challenging the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) percolating through the courts. ...more
The House of Representatives recently passed a fourth round of legislation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill – called the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (the “HEROES Act” or the...more
6/1/2020
/ CARES Act ,
COBRA ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Employee Benefits ,
Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) ,
Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) ,
Health and Welfare Plans ,
Health Insurance ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Pensions ,
Relief Measures ,
Retirement Plan
In the face of the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, many employees may experience financial hardship. For example, they may incur unexpected expenses as a result of COVID-19, including being quarantined or under a stay at...more
On Wednesday, March 25, 2020, the Senate passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (H.R. 748, the “CARES Act” or “the Act”). The Act is the largest economic stimulus bill in American history and provides...more
On March 18, 2020, the Senate voted to approve H.R. 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the “Act”), by a vote of 90-8. The version of the Act approved by the Senate is the same as the version with “technical...more
In the early morning hours of Saturday, March 14, 2020, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the “Act”), by a bipartisan vote of 363-40. The Senate has postponed its...more
3/17/2020
/ China ,
Clinical Laboratory Testing ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Cost-Sharing ,
Crisis Management ,
Emergency Management Plans ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) ,
Health and Safety ,
Infectious Diseases ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Paid Leave ,
Paid Time Off (PTO) ,
Pending Legislation ,
Preventive Health Care ,
Public Health ,
Sick Pay ,
Tax Credits ,
Workplace Safety
As you may recall, in late September, we expected a decision from the Fifth Circuit in Texas v. United States—the case challenging the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA)—in the fall of...more
1/10/2020
/ Affordable Care Act ,
Appeals ,
Case or Controversy ,
Congressional Authority ,
Constitutional Challenges ,
Department of Justice (DOJ) ,
Health Insurance ,
Individual Mandate ,
Intervenors ,
Motion to Expedite ,
Penalties ,
Petition for Writ of Certiorari ,
Remand ,
SCOTUS ,
Severability Doctrine ,
Shared Responsibility Rule ,
Standing ,
Tax Penalties