Insights

On August 6, 2024, Commissioner Causey released a bulletin to remind health benefit plans of compliance requirements for operations under a state of emergency for purposes of obtaining extra prescriptions. (The bulletin followed Gov. Cooper’s declaration of a state of emergency due to Tropical Storm Debby on August 5, 2024.) Specifically, health benefit plans are required to have a procedure in place to waive time restrictions on filling or refilling prescriptions for medication if requested by

Recently, Gov. Sununu signed several healthcare bills into law. SB 399, which is effective September 1, 2024, provides that health insurance coverage for blood lead testing shall not be subject to a copayment, deductible, or coinsurance. The bill also requires coverage for follow-up blood testing that is necessary to complete the preventive screening when the initial blood testing indicates an elevated blood lead level or is inconclusive. SB 399 Under HB 1296, which is effective January 1, 2025

On August 2, 2024, the Commissioner of Securities and Insurance released an advisory memorandum regarding the amended federal rules issued on March 28, 2024, that addressed short-term limited duration insurance and fixed indemnity excepted benefits coverage. The memorandum is generally a summary of the amended federal rules but does include guidance regarding state notice requirements in addition to those in the amended federal rules. The memorandum also supplements a previous memorandum issued

Under state law, employers must provide reasonable accommodations to an employee for health conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth upon request, with the advice of a licensed healthcare provider or certified doula, unless the employer demonstrates that the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on its business operations. Effective August 1, 2024, the same law requires employers to maintain coverage under any group insurance policy, group subscriber contract, or healthcare plan for

The Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) recently announced the new employer premium rate for DC Paid Family (and Medical) Leave to take effect retroactively on July 1, 2024. The new rate of 0.75%, an increase from 0.26%, will apply to employers with employees working in the District of Columbia and must be collected on a quarterly basis. Tax Calculators: DOES Office of Paid Family Leave »

On October 1, 2024, pursuant to Public Act No. 24-5 (the Act), several amendments to the Connecticut Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) law will take effect. For example, as amended, an employee may receive PFML benefits and compensation under the state's victim compensation program simultaneously, provided the employee's total compensation does not exceed their regular compensation rate. Additionally, qualifying reasons for PFML benefits are expanded to incorporate leave for victims of sexua

On July 18, 2024, the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (Fifth Circuit) vacated a trial court’s determination that DOL’s final rule, on retirement plan ESG investments, enabling retirement plan fiduciaries to consider the potential financial benefits of investing in funds that take environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) factors into account was not “manifestly contrary” to ERISA. The Fifth Circuit rendered its decision in light of the US Supreme Court’s decision to discard

On August 2, 2024, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals (Fifth Circuit) affirmed the district court’s decision to vacate regulations promulgated by three federal agencies: the DOL, HHS, and IRS (the agencies). The regulations established priorities for independent arbitrators appointed to resolve disputes between healthcare providers and payors through an Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) process established under the No Surprises Act (NSA). The IDR process is the subject of ongoing litigation

GLP-1 medications, originally developed for type 2 diabetes management, are being studied for potential future uses beyond their current indications.