The Daily Brief for Benefits Professionals

BenefitsWire

Health & Welfare Plans

June 11, 2026

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9 items · ~2 min read

In this issue

Expert Analysis (1) · Regulatory Action and Guidance (4) · ERISA Litigation (3) · Health & Welfare Plans (1)

Expert Analysis

1 item

Monthly Roundup (May 2026)

“DOL Issues Field Assistance Bulletin on Guiding Principles for EBSA Enforcement PrioritiesMay 1, 2026 Groom Law Group Recognized in BTI Super Listener A-Team 2026May 4, 2026 Executive Order Directs Agencies to Promote Access to Individual Retirement AccountsMay 4, 2026 SEC Clarifies Registration Issues for PEPsMay 6, 2026 Happy Mother’s Day from the Departments!” MORE >>

Source: Groom Law Group

Regulatory Action and Guidance

4 items

Inflation Adjustments Issued for HSAs, HRAs, and Direct Primary Care Service Arrangements (“DPCSAs”)

“Today, the IRS issued Revenue Procedure 2026-24, which provides inflation adjustments for Health Savings Accounts ("HSAs"), Excepted Benefit Health Reimbursement Arrangements ("HRAs"), and the relatively new Direct Primary Care Service Arrangements ("DPCSAs") for 2027.” MORE >>

Source: Groom Law Group

The Departments Issue Final IDR Operations Rule

“The Final Rule will generally be effective 60 days after the date of publication in the Federal Register, which is July 31, 2026.” MORE >>

Source: Groom Law Group

Federal Independent Dispute Resolution Operations

“This document sets forth these final rules related to certain provisions of the No Surprises Act regarding the Federal independent dispute resolution (IDR) process, which was established as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA).” MORE >>

Source: Federal Register

Proposed Rule Will Allow Employers to Establish Stand-Alone Fertility Benefits

“On May 13, 2026, the Internal Revenue Service, Department of Labor, and Department of Health and Human Services (collectively, the "Departments") published a Proposed Rule (the "Proposed Rule") that will, if adopted, allow employers to offer fertility coverage as a "limited excepted benefit.” MORE >>

Source: Trucker Huss

ERISA Litigation

3 items

What’s Next In Health Plan Fee Litigation? Stern, Navarro II, and Lewandowski II

“On March 9, 2026, the Southern District of New York found that the plaintiffs in Stern v. JPMorgan Chase adequately alleged Article III standing regarding their overpayment for prescription drugs and plausibly alleged that” MORE >>

Source: Groom Law Group

$23M Settlement Ends MetLife’s Mortality Table Case

“Plaintiffs alleged that MetLife had given them fewer benefits after using actuarial tables dating back to the disco era.” MORE >>

Source: PLANADVISER

City of Columbus et al. Challenge Provisions of the HHS 2027 Payment Notice Final Rule

“On June 3, 2026, plaintiffs City of Columbus et al. (including municipalities, local governments, and advocacy organizations) filed a complaint alleging that several policies in the HHS 2027 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters Final Rule (2027 Payment Notice Final Rule) are unlawful.” MORE >>

Source: Groom Law Group

Health & Welfare Plans

1 item

Virginia Expands Paid Sick Leave Program to Cover Most Employees

“On May 20, 2026, Governor Spanberger signed SB 199/HB 5, a new statewide Paid Sick Leave (“PSL”) program (“Act”). Virginia previously required PSL only for home health workers (codified Va.” MORE >>

Source: Groom Law Group

Also of Note

PLANSPONSOR National Conference 2026 — “Groom principals David Levine, George Sepsakos, and Rosie Zaklad will be presenting at the 2026 PLANSPONSOR National Conference (“PSNC”) taking place May 31-June 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee.” (Groom Law Group)
Recommendations on Scale-Up and Postapproval Changes Guidances for Industry; Request for Comments; Reopening of the Comment Period — “The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or the Agency) is reopening the comment period for the request for information and comments that appeared in the Federal Register of March 3, 2026.” (Federal Register)