The Weekly Highlights for Benefits Professionals
BenefitsWire
Health & Welfare Plans
Week of October 23, 2026
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12 items · ~2 min read
In this issue
Regulatory Action and Guidance (9) · Health & Welfare Plans (3)
Regulatory Action and Guidance
9 items“Seyfarth Synopsis: The Departments of Labor, Treasury, and Health and Human Services (the “Departments”) have finalized significant revisions to the Transparency in Coverage regulations (the “Amendments”).” MORE >>
Source: CMS
“On Sept. 8, the U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration released two pieces of guidance on the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act that, when read together, send a more nuanced message than either does on its own.” MORE >>
Source: Milliman
The FDA has issued Emergency Use Authorizations for four animal drugs to prevent or treat New World screwworm infestations in various animal species. MORE >>
Source: Federal Register
“On August 16, 2026, in City of Columbus v. Kennedy, No. 1:26-cv-02215, the U.S.” MORE >>
Source: CMS
The IRS finalized regulations allowing direct tax payments via credit or debit card, removing prior restrictions on fees for such transactions and for third-party processors. This simplifies tax payments for individuals and businesses. MORE >>
Source: Federal Register
“It’s estimated the proposed rules will save the nearly 2.8 million affected group health plans close to $402 million each year. Once finalized, the new safe harbor will be effective on the first January 1 following the publication of the final rule. It will likely take some time for EBSA to consider the numerous comments it received and finalize the rules, but here are some things group health plan administrators should know and consider now. Administrators of group health plans subject to ERISA are required to furnish various types of documents (“covered documents”) to plan participants and their beneficiaries using a delivery method reasonably calculated to ensure the information is actual” MORE >>
Source: Boutwell Fay
“Quick Hits What It Is The UGESP has been the federal government’s principal guidance on validating selection procedures since the EEOC, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), the U.” MORE >>
Source: Ogletree Deakins
“Key Takeaways For many companies, the end of the plan year brings an unwelcome headache: the DCAP fails its nondiscrimination testing, and HCEs learn that their elections must be capped or that part of their benefit will be taxable.” MORE >>
Source: Foley & Lardner
“Podcasts October 20, 2026 Hiring to Firing Podcast Tracey E. Diamond Emily E. Schifter Casselle A.E. Smith In this episode of Hiring to Firing, hosts Tracey Diamond and Emily Schifter explore the intersection of hair, race, and workplace bias.” MORE >>
Source: Troutman Pepper Locke
Health & Welfare Plans
3 items“A record 52% of assets were invested as of June 30, according to a Devenir report.” MORE >>
Source: PLANSPONSOR
“Workers are paying on average $7,471 annually toward the premiums for employer-sponsored family health benefits this year, which is up 9%, or $621, from 2025, per KFF’s annual benchmark health benefits survey of large and small employers.” MORE >>
Source: KFF
“Workers forfeited an average of $404 in 2024, with younger employees particularly likely to lose unused health care dollars About 40% of flexible spending account (FSA) holders forfeited unused funds in 2024, according to new research released today by the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI).” MORE >>
Source: 401(k) Specialist