The Daily Brief for Benefits Professionals
BenefitsWire
Health & Welfare Plans
July 27, 2026
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4 items · ~2 min read
In this issue
Regulatory Action and Guidance (3) · General Benefits (1)
Regulatory Action and Guidance
3 items“In 2019, roughly one in 15 small firms offered a level-funded plan. Today, more than a third of covered workers at small firms are enrolled in one. Enrollment in individual coverage health reimbursement arrangements known as ICHRAs nearly tripled in 2026. More than 40% of employers are now using or evaluating group captives and most of that growth is concentrated among employers with fewer than 500 workers. These are not pilot programs anymore. They are real market alternatives competing for the same employers at the same renewal.” MORE >>
Source: Employee Benefit News
“On July 21, 2026, the IRS released Revenue Procedure 2026-26 to index the contribution percentage in 2027 for determining the affordability of an employer’s health plan under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). For plan years beginning in 2027, employer-sponsored coverage will be considered affordable under the ACA’s “pay or play” rules if the employee’s required contribution for self-only coverage does not exceed 10.22% of their household income for the year. The ACA’s pay or play rules require applicable large employers (ALEs) to offer affordable, minimum-value health coverage to their full-time employees (and dependents) or risk paying a penalty.” MORE >>
Source: hylant.com
“On July 23, 2026, the Department of Labor (DOL) published a proposed rule that would make it easier for the plan sponsors and administrators of group health plans to furnish required notices electronically.” MORE >>
Source: Groom Law Group
General Benefits
1 item“The Department also agreed to implement several reforms to its use of common interest agreements. Among other things, the Department will: (i) develop a written policy standardizing its practices; (ii) scrutinize such agreements for potential bias; (iii) require staff involved with common interest agreements to attest that they were not employed with related external parties in the past year and would comply with the post-employment restrictions impose by federal law; and (iv) formally track executed common interest agreements and the information shared with non-governmental entities pursuant to such agreements.” MORE >>
Source: Groom Law Group