The Weekly Highlights for Benefits Professionals
BenefitsWire
Health & Welfare Plans
Week of July 10, 2026
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12 items · ~3 min read
In this issue
Regulatory Action and Guidance (8) · Health & Welfare Plans (4)
Regulatory Action and Guidance
8 items“Section 203 of Title II of Division BB of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA, 2021), enacted on December 27, 2020, amended MHPAEA, in part, by expressly requiring group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group or individual health insurance coverage that offer both medical/surgical benefits and MH/SUD benefits and that impose non-quantitative treatment limitations (NQTLs) on MH/SUD benefits to perform and document their comparative analyses of the design and application of NQTLs. Further, beginning 45 days after the date of enactment of the CAA, 2021, these plans and issuers must make their comparative analyses available to the Departments or applicable State auth” MORE >>
Source: CMS
“The (a) penalty will be $3,780 (up from $3,340 in 2026), and the (b) penalty will rise to $5,670 (up from $5,010). Benefits professionals must review their employer shared responsibility strategies in light of these escalating penalties.” MORE >>
Source: Hub International
“The US Treasury also posted a rule list that provides SECURE 2.0 guidance including required minimum distributions... The rule lists, posted by the DOL and the Department of the Treasury, revealed that the Employee Benefits Security Administration is again reworking “Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments,” often called the ESG rule, and “Fiduciary Duties in Selecting Designated Investment Alternatives,” commonly referred to as the alts rule.” MORE >>
Source: PLANADVISER
“Among the 702 targeted rules are environmental review requirements for energy projects, energy efficiency standards, rules that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and specific deregulatory actions relevant to the federal contracting community. ... Among the 702 deregulatory actions is the U.S. Department of Labor's proposed rescission of all regulations implementing Executive Order 11246, the long-standing framework that required federal contractors to maintain affirmative action programs and comply with related nondiscrimination obligations.” MORE >>
Source: Ogletree Deakins
“In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the IRS is inviting comments on the information collection request outlined in this notice.” MORE >>
Source: IRS
“On Friday, July 3, Treasury posted its regulatory agenda, which includes the following health and welfare-related provisions: Notably, the prior agenda had the following items listed, but they no longer appear on the agenda, even though Treasury has not yet issued the proposed regulations:” MORE >>
Source: Groom Law Group
Source: Federal Register
“By July 31, employers that sponsor self-funded medical plans must report and pay their PCORI fee. By July 31, employers that sponsor calendar-year employee benefit plans that are subject to ERISA must file a Form 5500 (unless an exception applies) or request an extension by filing a Form 5558.” MORE >>
Source: JD Supra
Health & Welfare Plans
4 items“NEW YORK (AP) — Middle-income Americans straining to pay for Affordable Care Act health insurance are unlikely to get relief next year, according to a new analysis that shows insurers in the marketplace are proposing a second straight year of double-digit premium hikes.” MORE >>
Source: PLANSPONSOR
“In the News Niloy Ray says employers remain “on the hook” for how AI tools are used in the workplace. HCA Magazine View Learn how we can help you confidently address your unique workplace legal challenges.” MORE >>
Source: Littler
“The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) forfeiture litigation landscape continues to evolve as courts continue to weigh in on the viability of this novel theory of ERISA liability.” MORE >>
Source: Holland & Knight
“Some clients might be better off stocking a health savings account to the gills and leaving it relatively untouched — not even using it to buy so much as a box of Band-Aids — according to some financial advisors.” MORE >>
Source: 401(k) Specialist