Final HIPAA omnibus rules require attention *

USA - April 19 2013
The time has come to take out and refresh those business associate agreements, HIPAA privacy and security compliance manuals, and HIPAA privacy…

Co-authors: Mark D. Wincek, Martha L. Sewell, Lois Wagman Colbert, Karen D. Martinez, Mark Stember.

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Mandatory fees on health plan insurers and plan sponsors to fund research *

USA - April 18 2012
Last week, the Internal Revenue Service issued proposed regulations on the fees imposed on specified health insurance issuers and plan sponsors of self-funded health plans under the Affordable Care Act to help fund the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute.

Co-authors: Mark D. Wincek, Martha L. Sewell, Lois Wagman Colbert, Karen D. Martinez, Mark Stember.

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Future guidance outlined for automatic enrollment, employer responsibilities and waiting periods *

USA - February 23 2012
This month, the Departments of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Treasury released yet another page from their Affordable Care Act playbook in substantially identical forms.

Co-authors: Mark D. Wincek, Martha L. Sewell, Lois Wagman Colbert, Karen D. Martinez, Mark Stember.

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Final summary of benefits and coverage rules – a rocky compliance road for employer plans *

USA - February 20 2012
On February 14th the Departments of Treasury, Labor and Health and Human Services (the Departments) issued final regulations regarding the Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) Rules under the Affordable Care Act.

Co-authors: Mark D. Wincek, Martha L. Sewell, Lois Wagman Colbert, Karen D. Martinez, Mark Stember.

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Dol raises the stakes for the audit quality initiative *

USA - December 1 2011
The Department of Labor’s (DOL) initiative to review the quality of employee benefit plan financial audits has been in place for many years, but there are signs that it has recently intensified.

Co-authors: Mark D. Wincek, Martha L. Sewell, Lois Wagman Colbert, Mark Stember.

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