This article appeared in Employment Law Strategist, an ALM publication delivering news and analysis for employment law practitioners, Corporate Counsel, In-House Counsel. Visit the website to learn more.
As has been the case for several months now, health care legislation has been front and center. However, the Department of Labor (DOL) has recently issued final regulations impacting health and welfare plans that will become law, and are not up for debate, as are other health care changes. On Dec. 16, 2016, the DOL published final regulations on disability benefits claims procedures for any group plans governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA) that provide for disability benefits (the “Final Rule”). This Final Rule applies to any disability claims filed on or after Jan. 1, 2018, and will apply not only to health and welfare plans that provide for disability benefits, but also any qualified retirement plans that may offer disability benefits.
