The proposed rules to update healthcare price disclosures required by the Transparency in Coverage final rule were issued in response to a Trump executive order, which called on the departments to improve the accuracy, reliability, and usefulness of the disclosures.

In response to state and employer concerns over the implementation timeframe of the new tax requirements outlined in Rev. Proc. 2025-4, the IRS has delayed the scheduled enforcement of the new tax requirements until 2027.

On January 5, 2026, the DOL issued two opinion letters concerning potential uses of FMLA leave. Opinion letters are official written opinions on how a law the agency enforces applies to a specific workplace situation.

On December 9, 2025, the IRS released IRS Notice 2026-5, which offers guidance regarding modifications to HSAs instituted by the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), enacted on July 4, 2025. These changes involve telehealth services, bronze and catastrophic plans, and direct primary care service arrangements (DPCSAs). 

court determined that the participant plaintiffs had (once again) failed to establish legal “standing” to proceed with the claims. The ruling is good news for J&J and group health plan sponsors, generally.

During the recent government shutdown, the release delayed agency guidance for employee benefits, including important healthcare transparency rules. However, transparency, particularly regarding prescription drug coverage, remains a priority of the Trump administration. Now that government operations have resumed, employers should anticipate the release of significant transparency guidance in the coming days and should understand the potential impact on their prescription drug plans.

The stopgap bill temporarily extended funding for most of the federal government through January 30, 2026. Notably, though, the bill did not include any extension of the ACA enhanced premium tax credits (PTCs), which was the central issue during the shutdown.

PCOR fees are payable by insurers and sponsors of self-insured plans (including level-funded plans, HRAs, and many point solution programs). The fees apply to retiree-only plans but do not apply to excepted benefits such as stand-alone dental and vision plans or most health FSAs.

The IRS recently issued Revenue Procedure 2025-32, providing certain cost-of-living adjustments for a wide variety of tax-related items, including health FSA contribution limits, transportation and parking benefits, qualified small employer health reimbursement arrangements (QSEHRAs), the small business tax credit, and other adjustments for tax year 2026.  

The new guidance was issued in response to President Trump’s Executive Order 14216, "Expanding Access to In Vitro Fertilization," which called for recommendations to protect in vitro fertilization (IVF) access and reduce out-of-pocket and health plan costs for IVF treatment. Specifically, the FAQs clarify the types of “excepted benefits” employers can use to provide fertility benefits.