In the context of medical coverage, the terms “Preventive Services” and “Preventive Care” are often used interchangeably. The two terms, however, have very different meanings. Understanding the difference can have significant...more
On May 12, the Republican majority leadership in the House of Representatives released for consideration its tax and spending reconciliation legislation, called the “One Big, Beautiful Bill” (the “Bill”). This major piece of...more
On May 12, 2025, the House Ways and Means Committee released “The One, Big, Beautiful Bill” containing its draft tax legislation (the OBBB), which includes a number of items that may be of particular interest to US employers...more
The IRS has announced the 2026 cost-of-living adjustments to the applicable dollar limits for health savings accounts (HSAs), high-deductible health plans (HDHPs), and excepted benefit health reimbursement arrangements...more
The Internal Revenue Service has released Rev. Proc. 2025-19 announcing the inflation-adjusted limits for high deductible health plans (HDHPs) and health savings accounts (HSAs) in 2026. The updated 2026 limits are as...more
On May 1, 2025, the IRS announced the Health Savings Account limits for 2026. With respect to contribution limits, the limits are slightly higher than the ones for 2025 and the required deductible and out-of-pocket maximums...more
The US Customs Agency, established in 1789 under the US Department of the Treasury, has undergone significant transformations throughout its history. Initially focused on revenue collection and trade regulation, the agency’s...more
After Congress declined to extend certain relief allowing first-dollar coverage of telehealth services by high-deductible health plans (HDHPs), health plan sponsors may need to make immediate changes to preserve employees’...more
During the COVID-19 crisis, newly-created relief allowed first dollar coverage for telehealth services under a high deductible health plan (HDHP) without ruining health savings account (HSA) eligibility. That relief was...more
We hope you enjoyed the holidays and are settling back in refreshed and recharged for 2025. With a new year comes new rules; please find our thoughts on some of them below....more
On December 21, 2024, President Biden signed into law the American Relief Act, 2025 (2025 Relief Act), which funds the federal government through March 14, 2025, and provides certain disaster relief provisions and other...more
Employers providing health plan coverage through a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) may need to amend their HDHP before year-end to remove first-dollar telehealth coverage. Although prior regulatory relief permitted...more
As we prepare for another change in Administration in the White House, it is crucial for employers and plan sponsors to stay informed and prepared. While much of what lies ahead is speculative, understanding these possible...more
The IRS recently issued Notices 2024-71 and 2024-75, which expand the list of “preventive care” benefits permitted to be provided by a high deductible health plan (HDHP) without a deductible and the list of benefits...more
The IRS has announced the 2025 cost-of-living adjustments for retirement plan and health and welfare benefit plan limitations. The charts below set forth the applicable limitations....more
October 25, 2024 Of Counsel The IRS has recently released its inflation-adjusted contribution limits for certain tax-advantaged welfare accounts. Understanding these new limits will help employers communicate during open...more
Employees increasingly request (and expect) choice in their benefits. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently released Private Letter Ruling 202434006 (PLR), which approved an employer's program allowing employees to...more
On Labor Day fifty years ago, September 2, 1974, President Ford signed the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) into law. It is a combination of tax and labor law incorporating trust law like fiduciary...more
The IRS released Rev Proc 2024-25, 2024-22 IRB 1333, dated May 9, 2024, which outlines the inflation-adjusted contribution limits for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) for the year 2025, as determined under Code Section 223....more
The San Francisco Health Care Security Ordinance (HCSO) is a local ordinance that uniquely applies to employers with workers in the City of San Francisco. The HCSO requires employers to make certain health care expenditures...more
On April 25, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) released regulations redefining who is an investment advice fiduciary under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code...more
The May Monthly Minute highlights litigation wins for plan fiduciaries in a 401(k) fee case and a wilderness therapy exclusion case, and also sets out the 2025 HSA, HDHP, and excepted benefit HRA COLA adjustments....more
Seyfarth Synopsis: The IRS has announced increases to key limits for certain health and welfare benefit programs, including HSA contributions for 2025. The IRS recently released 2025 cost-of-living adjustments applicable to...more
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently announced (see Revenue Procedure 2024-25) cost-of-living adjustments to the applicable dollar limits for health savings accounts (HSAs), high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) and...more
The IRS has announced increased annual limits for retirement and other benefit plans for 2024. While the increases for 2024 are smaller than we’ve seen in prior years, they still may have a significant impact on plans and...more