Health and Welfare Plans Archives | EMPLOYEE BENEFITS BLOG

Government shutdown continues as start of ACA open enrollment approaches

by Debra Curtis, Rodney Whitlock, Kayla Holgash, Katie Waldo and Maddie News | Oct 28, 2025 | Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Plans

The US government shutdown has now lasted nearly one month, marking it as the longest full shutdown in US history, surpassing the previous record held by the partial shutdown of 35 days in 2018 – 2019. As the shutdown continues, pressure mounts to reopen the government due to the growing number of uncompensated federal employees and affected programs; however, a resolution remains elusive. A critical deadline is approaching on November 1, 2025, which could further escalate the pressure to end the shutdown, as it is the start of open enrollment for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace.

The GLP-1 effect: Innovative care delivery models and compliant disease management

by James Ravitz, Jayda Greco, Paul Gadiock and Jae Hyun Lee | Oct 14, 2025 | Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Plans

GLP-1 therapies are transforming obesity and chronic disease treatment, yet navigating their complex regulatory landscape remains critical. From the Food and Drug Administration’s ‘Green List’ to state-specific rules, compliance isn’t optional – it’s a strategic advantage.

In a recent webinar, McDermott Will & Schulte’s Health & Life Sciences Group explored strategies for scaling GLP-1 programs, covering topics like innovative care delivery models, direct-to-consumer advertising enforcement, and compliance best practices.

Access the webinar recording and key takeaways here.

AI in employer-sponsored group health plans: Legal, ethical, and fiduciary considerations

by Alden Bianchi, Jacob Mattinson, Sarah Raaii and Haley Dow | Sep 16, 2025 | Digital Health, Employee Benefits, Employment, Health and Welfare Plans

Artificial intelligence (AI) has increasingly been integrated into the tools used by and for employer-sponsored group health plans, prompting a multitude of concerns. In this article, we discuss key issues that require immediate attention from both plan sponsors and plan administrators.

Find out the legal, ethical, and fiduciary considerations employer-sponsored group health plans should keep in mind when using AI tools.

CMS to enforce MMSEA 111 reporting compliance beginning October 2025

by Emily J. Cook and Sydney Merritt Martinez | Sep 11, 2025 | Health and Welfare Plans

Starting October 11, 2025, organizations that fail to meet reporting obligations under Section 111 of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 (MMSEA 111) may face civil monetary penalties (CMPs). While this change does not alter the long-standing reporting requirements or the existing risk of liability under the federal False Claims Act for causing Medicare overpayments due to MMSEA 111 reporting errors, the introduction of CMPs significantly increases the compliance risk for insurers, self-insured entities, and third-party administrators subject to MMSEA 111.

Here is what stakeholders in the liability, no-fault, workers’ compensation, and group health plan spaces need to know.

What Venus Williams’ health insurance comments reveal about COBRA

by Sarah Raaii | Aug 14, 2025 | Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Plans

When tennis superstar Venus Williams recently spoke about returning to the sport to maintain her health insurance, it highlighted a broader issue many employees face: navigating complex benefits after leaving their jobs. This challenge is particularly acute when it comes to Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) coverage, which allows former employees to temporarily keep their employer-sponsored health insurance. As Sarah Raaii points out, the high cost of COBRA and limited alternatives create significant financial strain. To address this, employers could provide clearer information about COBRA, its costs, and available alternatives, enabling employees to make more informed decisions about their health coverage during career transitions.

Mississippi enacts new law regulating telemedicine coverage

by Stacey Callaghan, Amanda Enyeart and Abby Higgins | Aug 12, 2025 | Digital Health, Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Plans

Mississippi has enacted SB 2415, ensuring that health insurance and employee benefit plans cover telemedicine services to the same extent as in-person medical consultations. The legislation specifies that all telemedicine must be real-time audio-visual unless using store-and-forward technology or remote patient monitoring.

Key updates on the US health benefits and reimbursement landscape

by Sarah Raaii and Rachel Stauffer | Aug 7, 2025 | Digital Health, Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Plans

The health benefits landscape is undergoing significant changes. Recent developments in policy and legislation are poised to reshape the economic environment, affecting employer plan sponsors, insurance providers, third-party administrators, and those enrolled in employer-sponsored health plans.

Learn more about the changes to the benefits industry here.

OBBBA’s impact on employee benefit plans, programs, and arrangements

by Alden Bianchi, Jacob Mattinson and Sarah Raaii | Jul 29, 2025 | Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Plans

On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) into law. The OBBBA includes several employee benefits-related provisions impacting employer-sponsored plans and fringe benefits, including changes to health savings account eligibility, telehealth coverage, dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSAs), employer-provided childcare credits, student loan repayment programs, and more.

Learn more about the OBBBA’s employee benefits provisions here.

HDHP telehealth safe harbor permanently reinstated

by Sarah Raaii and Rachel Stauffer | Jul 22, 2025 | Digital Health, Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Plans

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act permanently extends the telehealth safe harbor for high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) for plan years beginning after December 31, 2024. This extension allows HDHPs to cover telehealth and remote care services at low or no cost, expanding access for millions of participants and encouraging digital health providers, insurers, and employers to reassess and update their offerings to meet the growing demand.

Learn more about the telehealth HDHP safe harbor extension here.

Unpacking the OBBBA’s HDHP telehealth safe harbor permanency

by Sarah Raaii, Rachel Stauffer and Julia Grabo | Jul 17, 2025 | Digital Health, Employee Benefits, Health and Welfare Plans

In this edition of Health Policy Breakroom, Sarah Raaii and Rachel Stauffer join Julia Grabo to explore a crucial virtual care provision from the recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act, exploring its effects on patients, employers, and the broader landscape of virtual care policy.

Listen to the Breakroom episode.

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