Benefits: | |
Health Benefits |
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A group health plan is an employee welfare benefit plan established or maintained by an employer or by an employee organization (such as a union), or both, that provides medical care for participants or their dependents directly or through insurance, reimbursement, or other means.
Most private sector health plans are covered by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). Among other things, ERISA provides protections for participants and beneficiaries in employee benefit plans (participant rights), including providing access to plan information. Also, those individuals who manage plans (as well as other fiduciaries) must meet certain standards of conduct under the fiduciary responsibilities specified in the Act.
The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) is responsible for administering and enforcing these provisions of ERISA.
COMPLIANCE ASSISTANCE MATERIALS
- Employment Law Guide - Employee Benefit Plans - Provides information on the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).
- COBRA Continuation Coverage - The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) provides for premium reductions and additional election opportunities for health benefits under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, commonly called COBRA. The TAA Health Coverage Improvement Act of 2009, enacted as part of ARRA, also made changes with regard to COBRA continuation coverage.
- Frequently Asked Questions about HIPAA - Questions and answers about HIPAA, which amended ERISA to provide new rights and protections for participants and beneficiaries in group health plans.
- COBRA Continuation Health Coverage<div class="box-title"> Frequently Asked Questions</div> - Questions and answers that provide a general explanation of requirements under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) for continuation of group health coverage that might otherwise be terminated.
- Reporting and Disclosure Guide For Employee Benefit Plans (PDF) - A quick reference tool for certain basic reporting and disclosure requirements under ERISA.
- Frequently Asked Questions on Benefit Claims Procedures and Appeals - Questions and answers that provide guidance on employee benefit plans procedures for handling health benefit claims and appeals.
- Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangements Under ERISA (MEWA) - Addresses many questions concerning the effect of ERISA on federal and state regulation of MEWAs. (PDF)
Participants and Beneficiaries:
- HIPAA Nondiscrimination Requirements<div class="box-title"> Frequently Asked Questions</div> - Questions and answers on health benefit regulations issued on the nondiscrimination provisions under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
- Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1998<div class="box-title"> Frequently Asked Questions</div> - Questions and answers about the important protections for those who elect breast reconstruction surgery in connection with a mastectomy.
- elaws Health Benefits Advisor - Helps workers and their families better understand employer and employee organization (such as a union) provided group health benefits and the laws that govern them, especially when they experience changes in their life and work situations such as marriage, childbirth, job loss or retirement; also assists employers in understanding their responsibilities under the applicable laws.
- Form M-1 Online Filing System - An electronic filing system for the Form M-1 annual report for multiple employer welfare arrangements that allows filers to complete the form and submit it at no cost.
- Form M-1 Annual Report - Required to be filed for multiple employer welfare arrangements.
APPLICABLE LAWS AND REGULATIONS
- Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) - Sets uniform minimum standards to ensure that employee benefit plans are established and maintained in a fair and financially sound manner. In addition, employers have an obligation to provide promised benefits and satisfy ERISA's requirements for managing and administering private pension and welfare plans.
- 29 CFR Parts 2509 to 2590 - EBSA (formerly known as the Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration) regulations, including interpretive bulletins related to ERISA (29 CFR Part 2509).
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS) - Provides information about the tax provisions in the Internal Revenue Code relating to health plans.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services - For questions about the provisions under the Public Health Service Act.
- Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA)
200 Constitution Avenue, NW
Room N-5623
Washington, DC 20210
Contact EBSA
Tel: 1-866-444-EBSA (3272)
TTY: 1-877-889-5627
Regional Offices - For questions on other DOL laws,
please call DOL's Toll-Free Help Line at 1-866-4-USA-DOL (1-866-487-2365). Live assistance is available in English and Spanish, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Additional service is available in more than 140 languages through a translation service.
Tel: 1-866-4-USA-DOL (1-866-487-2365)
TTY
*Pursuant to the U.S. Department of Labor's Confidentiality Protocol for Compliance Assistance Inquiries, information provided by a telephone caller will be kept confidential within the bounds of the law. Compliance assistance inquiries will not trigger an inspection, audit, investigation, etc.