September 25 Federal Health & Welfare Updates HHS Cybersecurity Newsletter Explains HIPAA Facility Access Control Requirements HHS's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has recently released its latest cybersecurity newsletter to remind HIPAA-covered entities, which include employer-sponsored health plans, and business associates (collectively, “regulated entities”), that physical security measures such as facility access controls are essential for HIPAA Security Rule compliance. These measures help prevent unauthorized access to electronic protected health information (ePHI) as the incidences of cyberattacks and breaches of ePHI are increasing.
September 25 Federal Health & Welfare Updates Court: Denial of Wilderness Therapy Benefits Not Compliant with ERISA On September 12, 2024, in Amy G. v. United Healthcare, the US District Court of Utah (the court) ruled that the denial of wilderness therapy benefits by defendants United Healthcare and United Behavioral Health (UBH) was arbitrary and capricious because UBH failed to provide a sufficient explanation and analysis for the denial, as required by ERISA. The court remanded the claim back to the defendants for reevaluation and redetermination.
September 11 Federal Health & Welfare Updates The Wait Is Over! Departments Announce Final Rules to Strengthen MHPAEA On September 9, 2024, the DOL, HHS, and IRS (the departments) announced final rules implementing MHPAEA, specifically aimed at ensuring equitable access to treatments for mental health and substance use disorders as compared to medical and surgical treatments.
September 11 Federal Health & Welfare Updates IRS Releases 2025 Required Contribution Percentage for Affordable Coverage On September 9, 2024, the IRS published Revenue Procedure 2024-35, which provides the employer contribution percentage requirements applicable for plan years beginning in calendar year 2025 and the 2025 premium tax credit (PTC) table.