The Daily Brief for Benefits Professionals
BenefitsWire
Health & Welfare Plans
October 5, 2026
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7 items · ~2 min read
Top of the Brief
Proposed Regulations Offer Clarity on Dependent Care Assistance Program Nondiscrimination Rules“The IRS issued these proposed regulations because Internal Revenue Code (“Code”) Section 128, governing Trump Accounts, incorporates the provisions of Code Section 129(d)(2), (3), (6), (7), and (8) by reference. These proposed regulations contain definitions and the nondiscrimination rules applicable to DCAPs. The proposed regulations will apply to plan years beginning on or after the date final regulations are published, but employers may rely on them prior to that date.”
In this issue
Regulatory Action and Guidance (2) · Health & Welfare Plans (2) · Litigation (2) · Press Releases (1)
Regulatory Action and Guidance
2 itemsA rule concerning Transparency in Coverage is scheduled for publication, impacting how healthcare costs are disclosed. Benefits professionals must ensure their plans and communications comply with these evolving transparency requirements for plan participants. MORE >>
Source: Federal Register (public inspection)
“The IRS issued these proposed regulations because Internal Revenue Code (“Code”) Section 128, governing Trump Accounts, incorporates the provisions of Code Section 129(d)(2), (3), (6), (7), and (8) by reference. These proposed regulations contain definitions and the nondiscrimination rules applicable to DCAPs. The proposed regulations will apply to plan years beginning on or after the date final regulations are published, but employers may rely on them prior to that date.” MORE >>
Source: Boutwell Fay
Health & Welfare Plans
2 items“For many large employers, annual pharmacy costs can run into the hundreds of thousands — if not millions — of dollars. The natural reaction is to fix this by implementing cost-cutting measures such as rebates or moving a drug to a different tier.” MORE >>
Source: Employee Benefit News
“shutterstock.com/Maskot Images Employee wellbeing continues to be a key business priority, and leading organizations are evolving their strategies to better support a healthy, engaged and productive workforce.” MORE >>
Source: HR Dive
Litigation
2 items“66 Franklin Street, Suite 300 Oakland, CA 94607 In Oliver-Smith v. Lincoln National Life Insurance Company, No. 1:23-cv-276, 2026 WL 2905291 (S.D. Ohio Sept. 28, 2026), United States District Judge Jeffery P.” MORE >>
Source: Littler
“PHI Health LLC has filed suit against Anthem, alleging that the insurer and health plans it administers have failed to pay about $30 million in final payment determinations issued under the No Surprises Act (NSA)’s independent dispute resolution (IDR) process. The suit, which PHI filed in an Indiana federal district court, seeks over $1.3 million in interest on the payments that Anthem is accused of withholding. The NSA is designed to protect patients from certain unexpected medical bills, such as those for out-of-network emergency care in hospitals and air ambulance transportation.” MORE >>
Source: Hall Benefits Law
Press Releases
1 item“Forgot Your Password? If you do not yet have an ERIC Online profile or user name and password, please create one using Create Profile Form. If you need assistance with your user name/password or profile, please contact ERIC at (202) 789-1400.” MORE >>
Source: ERIC