PLANNING FOR 2011 OPEN ENROLLMENT

With annual enrollment season fast approaching, now is the time to consider new 2011 disclosure obligations.  In particular, with the enactment of the Affordable Care Act, several new notices must be provided to plan participants

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GUIDANCE ISSUED ON NEW CLAIMS AND APPEALS PROCEDURES

The health care reform provisions of the Affordable Care Act will require significant changes in the procedures followed by most employer health plans when processing claims for benefits, as well as appeals from denials of those claims

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DEADLINE APPROACHING FOR 2010 PLAN AMENDMENTS

It may be summer now, but sponsors of tax-favored retirement plans should keep in mind the many required amendments for which a year-end deadline is fast approaching.  This article highlights some of the more important changes that sponsors must address before the sun sets on 2010

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THE FIDUCIARY DUTY TO ASK FOR A BETTER DEAL

When is it appropriate to accept the sticker price listed on a product without asking the salesman for a better deal?  Maybe never, at least if you're a fiduciary of a $2 billion 401(k) plan spending the participants' money, according to a federal court in California

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REGULATIONS REQUIRE SPECIFIC DISCLOSURE OF FEES RECEIVED BY SERVICE PROVIDERS

On July 15, 2010, the Department of Labor issued "interim" final regulations regarding the fee information that service providers must disclose to fiduciaries of ERISA-covered retirement plans
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PLANS REQUIRED TO COVER PREVENTIVE HEALTH SERVICES

Among the many changes made by the Affordable Care Act is a requirement that group health plans (other than plans that are "grandfathered" under the rules described in our June 2010 article) provide benefits for a comprehensive list of preventive health services
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