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ARTICLE · 30 DECEMBER 2013

Agencies Propose Amendments To Excepted Benefits

Littler Mendelson
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Various federal agencies, including the DOL’s Employee Benefits Security Administration, have issued a proposal to amend regulations governing excepted benefits to permit health plan sponsors to provide coverage for limited scope vision, dental, wraparound, and employee assistance programs consistent with the qualifications for excepted benefits.

United StatesEmployment and HR
Littler Mendelson, P.C.
Littler Mendelson, P.C.
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Various federal agencies, including the DOL's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), have issued a proposal to amend regulations governing excepted benefits to permit health plan sponsors to provide coverage for limited scope vision, dental, wraparound, and employee assistance programs (EAPs) consistent with the qualifications for excepted benefits.  Generally, HIPAA excepted benefits are exempt from certain statutory requirements, including those insurance market reforms recently enacted by the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  According to the proposal, these amendments "would help employees by continuing to maintain their access to health coverage that new requirements could constrain."  

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