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.
Read more about state legislative and regulatory developments impacting virtual care here.
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.
US healthcare companies face challenges when offshoring due to stringent patient data privacy laws, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and state-specific regulations that restrict data storage and access outside the United States. To mitigate risks, healthcare organizations should adopt best practices such as robust Business Associate Agreements and regular audits to ensure compliance with complex and evolving regulations.
Learn more about best practices for offshoring patient data here.
On June 20, 2025, the US District Court for the District of Arizona ruled that Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Notice 2021-20, challenged by a tax advisory firm, was an “interpretive rule” and did not violate the Administrative Procedure Act. Despite the IRS issuing $269 billion in Employee Retention Credits, more than 200,000 claims have been disallowed, and 592,000 remain pending. The court noted that the notice’s provisions are not binding, and taxpayers can still argue their eligibility based on specific circumstances, leaving room for future challenges.
Learn more about opportunities for employers and their tax advisers here.
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.
