On June 14, 2021, the Department Labor (“DOL”) issued Information Letter 06-14-2021 to address whether ERISA requires plan fiduciaries to produce audio recordings and transcripts of telephone conversations between plan insurers and claimants.
The issue arose from a plan insurer’s denial of a claimant’s request for an audio recording. When it denied the request, the
On July 1, 2021, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”), Department of Labor, Internal Revenue Service, and Office of Personnel Management issued their first installment of interim final surprise billing regulations. As explained in a prior post, the regulations implement new requirements for group health plans, health insurance issuers, and healthcare providers and facilities that were imposed by the bipartisan No Surprises Act, which was enacted as part of a 2020 appropriations act. The rules, “Requirements Related to Surprise Billing; Part I,” prohibit surprise or balance billing for certain healthcare services.
One important aspect of the new surprise billing regulations for sponsors of group health plans and health insurance companies is its effect on billing for emergency services, out-of-network air ambulance services, and certain out-of-network services provided at an in-network facility. If a plan or policy provides or covers any emergency services, they must
Continue Reading Federal Agencies Release Interim Final Surprise Billing Regulations