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More is Not Always Better: Supreme Court Reexamines Fiduciary Duty of Prudence

In what may be one of the shortest decisions this term, the Supreme Court handed down a unanimous six-page opinion on January 24, 2022 in Hughes v. Northwestern University.  Vacating the Seventh Circuit’s decision, the Court further defined an ERISA plan fiduciary’s duty of prudence with respect to its control and management of retirement plan […]

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ZS

Group Health Plans Must Provide Free Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Tests Effective January 15, 2022

On January 10, 2022 the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Treasury issued Affordable Care Act FAQs Part 51 which addresses, in relevant part, payment for over-the-counter (“OTC”) COVID-19 testing.   For more information about the OTC COVID-19 testing and its impact on employer-sponsored group health plans, see our SW Benefits Update, “Group Health Plans Must […]

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The DOL Asks and Answers Questions About the New Welfare Plan Fee Disclosure Rules

In Field Assistance Bulletin 2021-03 (12/31/21) (FAB), the Department of Labor (DOL) issued guidance and temporary enforcement policy to address the new 408(b)(2) disclosure requirements that apply to certain service providers to group health plans.  The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 amended ERISA Section 408(b)(2) to extend the disclosure requirements that have long applied to […]

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MS
Former Partner

Final Touches: IRS Clarifies Impact of COVID-19 Disaster Relief on COBRA Payment Deadlines

The Internal Revenue Service recently issued guidance to clarify the interaction between COVID-19 disaster relief and premiums due for continuation coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”). As summarized here, the Joint Notice and the EBSA Disaster Relief Notice (the “Disaster Relief”) extended certain key deadlines in light of the COVID-19 […]

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In Case You Missed It – Summer 2021

Summer has come and gone, but there was no summer vacation for employee benefits legislation and guidance. In case you have been too busy to check out our blogs lately, here are some key items to help you stay organized and catch up on items you might have missed. As always, you may access our […]

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AM

New Ways to Self-Correct Overpayments Under EPCRS

On July 16, 2021, IRS issued Revenue Procedure 2021-30 to update the Employee Plans Compliance Resolutions System (the “EPCRS”).  The update in part expands the opportunities for plan sponsors to self-correct failures under the EPCRS by:  (1) extending the self-correction period from two to three years; (2) expanding the ability for plan sponsors to correct […]

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SEC Approves Nasdaq’s Board Diversity Rules

On August 6, 2021, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) adopted the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC’s (“Nasdaq”) proposed board diversity rule. The rule is intended to encourage greater board diversity by requiring board diversity disclosures for Nasdaq-listed companies. As explained in more detail in our Fall 2021 Corporate Communicator, the new diversity rule does not […]

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Departments Provide Some Relief to Health Plan Sponsors Facing Looming Year-End Deadlines

Year-end is always a scramble for health plan sponsors as they go through renewal and open enrollment.  This year was looking to be worse than normal given the impending deadlines for complying with the transparency in coverage regulations (“TiC”) and the numerous changes made by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (the “CAA”).  As reflected in […]

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NC

Not All Surprises Are Good – Phase I of the Surprise Billing Rules

On July 1, 2021, the Office of Personnel Management, Department of the Treasury, Department of Health and Human Services, and Department of Labor issued the interim final rule “Requirements Related to Surprise Billing; Part I” (the “IFR”), which is the first phase of regulations implementing the No Surprises Act. The No Surprises Act provides certain […]

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Updated Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan Audit Guide

In June the Internal Revenue Service released an updated Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Audit Technique Guide. This updated Guide replaces the initial Guide published in 2015. While it is too early to say whether the release of the updated guidance signals increased audit activity by the Service in the nonqualified plan space, plan sponsors of nonqualified […]

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