Labor Department Announces Compliance Assistance Program for ERISA Health Laws

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA)  unveiled a new compliance assistance program to help employers and health plans fulfill their obligations under health laws including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the Mental Health Parity Act (MHPA), the Newborns’ and Mothers’ Health Protection Act (Newborns’ Act), and the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA). Generally, all ERISA health plans must comply with these laws, with some exceptions for small businesses.
For details http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/newsroom/pr0226a03.html

This Health Benefits Advisor provides employers with an overview of certain federal laws that can affect health benefit coverage provided by group health plans.
http://www.dol.gov/elaws/ebsa/health/employer/r1.htm

Key Compliance Assistance and materials

15 key compliance considerations for group health plans. Under each is an example of a group health plan provision or practice that would not comply with the above laws and a tip on how to bring the plan into compliance.
http://www.dol.gov/compliance/topics/benefits-health.htm

Laws, regulations, and compliance http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/compliance_assistance.html