Federal Court Blocks Enforcement of Some ACA Preventive Health Service Requirements: What Plan Sponsors Should Consider

In a March 2023 ruling, a Texas federal district court vacated all actions taken by the Departments of Labor (“DOL”), Health and Human Services (“HHS”), and Treasury (collectively, the “Departments”) to implement or enforce certain preventive care requirements under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“ACA”). Recently, the Departments released initial FAQ guidance addressing …

Reproductive Healthcare Issues for Employers Series, Part 4: Navigating Mental Health Parity Requirements for Travel Benefits

On June 24, 2022, the United States Supreme Court released Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, overturning Roe v. Wade. The Dobbs decision has employers scrambling to understand the impact on group health plan coverage. Many employers are considering implementing travel reimbursement options to assist employees who wish to seek abortions that might be restricted …

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals Rules that Retiree Health Benefits May be Terminated Based on Ordinary Contract Principles

In its latest case addressing retiree health benefits, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals has held that a collective bargaining agreement’s general durational clause controls when retiree healthcare benefits end. Zino v. Whirlpool Corp., 2019 BL 50961, 6th Cir. (2019). This is a new data point indicating that the Sixth Circuit has moved away from …