The Daily Brief for Benefits Professionals
BenefitsWire
Health & Welfare Plans
June 18, 2026
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8 items · ~2 min read
In this issue
Expert Analysis (2) · Regulatory Action and Guidance (6)
Expert Analysis
2 items“Plan sponsors' ongoing efforts to manage rapidly rising prescription drug costs should include identifying and mitigating waste and abuse associated with common pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) practices that may have adverse events on costs. Examples include PBM retention of some manufacturer rebates and the use of spread pricing (where plan sponsors are charged more than the amount reimbursed to retail pharmacies). With major regulatory changes on the horizon for PBMs, including how they make money, now is an ideal time to take a fresh look at your PBM contract.” MORE >>
Source: Segal
“Six percent of large employers dropped their coverage of weight-loss-related GLP-1 coverage in 2026, and another 5% are considering it or planning to do so next year. Shifting higher costs onto workers can have consequences beyond reduced employee morale. Studies have shown employees may reduce or delay care if costs get out of hand, which may increase their and employers' costs over the long term.” MORE >>
Source: HR Dive
Regulatory Action and Guidance
6 items“On May 15, 2026, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”), through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”), released the final “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2027; and Basic Health Program” (2027 NBPP final rule).” MORE >>
Source: Groom Law Group
“The Department of Labor issued new guidance Wednesday concluding that most employer contributions to the new Trump Accounts created under last year’s tax and spending law will not, by themselves, subject employers to the federal pension law that governs workplace retirement plans.” MORE >>
Source: PLANSPONSOR
“The Department of Labor issued new guidance Wednesday concluding that most employer contributions to the new Trump Accounts created under last year’s tax and spending law will not, by themselves, subject employers to the federal pension law that governs workplace retirement plans.” MORE >>
Source: PLANADVISER
“This site displays a prototype of a “Web 2.0” version of the daily Federal Register. It is not an official legal edition of the Federal Register, and does not replace the official print version or the official electronic version on GPO’s govinfo.” MORE >>
Source: Federal Register
“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
“The House Appropriations Committee on June 9 moved forward with an annual spending bill that would cut funding from the Department of Labor (DOL) and the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA).” MORE >>
Source: 401(k) Specialist
Also of Note
- Groom’s Excellence Recognized in the Legal 500 – US Nationwide 2026 Guide — “In the Legal 500 – US Nationwide 2026 Guide, Groom is again recognized for its national leadership in benefits, executive compensation, retirement, healthcare, and ERISA litigation.” (Groom Law Group)
- ACA Dollar Amounts and Percentages | Segal — “Compliance News | June 3, 2026 Many ACA provisions contain numbers or percentages that are indexed to various measures of inflation, and the federal government announces new numbers throughout the year.” (Segal)
- 2027 Budget Cuts for DOL, EBSA Approved by House Committee — “The House Committee on Appropriations approved legislation funding the Departments of Labor, Education, and Health and Human Services for fiscal 2027, advancing the measure by a 34 to 28 vote.” (PLANADVISER)
- House Committee Advances Fiscal 2027 Funding That Includes EBSA Budget Cut — “The House Committee on Appropriations approved legislation funding the Departments of Labor, Education, and Health and Human Services for fiscal 2027, advancing the measure by a 34 to 28 vote.” (PLANSPONSOR)
- Compliance Deadline Approaches for Erie County Biometric Privacy Law — “Starting on June 5, 2026, all for-profit and not-for-profit businesses operating in Erie County, which includes Buffalo, the state's second-largest city, are prohibited from collecting, storing, procuring, using, and selling or otherwise monetizing customer biometric identifier information.” (Ogletree Deakins)
- Monthly Roundup (May 2026) — “We’ve rounded up our latest resources into one place so that you don’t have to! In case you missed any of our updates from last month, read on.” (Groom Law Group)
- Proposed Rule Promotes Fertility Benefits | Segal — “Compliance News | June 3, 2026 The Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Treasury (collectively, the Departments) recently issued a proposed rule that is intended to give group health plan sponsors greater flexibility in offering fertility benefits.” (Segal)
- Express Scripts, PCMA sue to block Tennessee law breaking up PBMs and pharmacies — “Express Scripts and the PBM lobby are following in CVS Caremark’s footsteps in filing a complaint challenging the FAIR Rx Act, which was passed earlier this year despite vehement opposition from PBMs.” (HR Dive)
- Out-of-Pocket Costs for Long-Acting Reversible Contraception Among Individuals Enrolled in Employer Sponsored Insurance Plans — “Despite the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requiring contraceptives to be covered without cost-sharing, many privately insured long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC) users still face out-of-pocket expenses.” (KFF)
- Employers plan to shift more health costs to employees — “Employers are considering raising premiums and increasing other forms of cost sharing as they grapple with stubbornly rising health costs, according to a new survey from Mercer.” (Healthcare Dive)
- CBO asks for more No Surprises research — “The No Surprises Act “might not have the effects that CBO anticipated,” the agency wrote in petitioning for more research into the 2020 law’s effects.” (Healthcare Dive)
- Executive Compensation and Benefits in M&A Transactions: Foundational Frameworks — “2:00 PM ET Virtual Joshua S.” (Troutman Pepper Locke)