30.07.2026 10.38 CDT
The Department of Labor has proposed regulations that would permit group health plans to use a notice-and-access electronic disclosure safe harbor similar to the framework available to retirement plans since 2020. The proposal would significantly expand when electronic delivery may be used, while allowing plans to retain current processes. This blog post explains how the proposed rules work, highlights the principal differences from the retirement plan safe harbor, and discusses the practical implications for employers, insurers, and plan administrators.
DOL Proposes New Electronic Disclosure Option for Group Health Plans
New DOL proposal would extend the notice-and-access framework currently available to retirement plans while recognizing the unique privacy considerations applicable to health benefits.
New DOL proposal would extend the notice-and-access framework currently available to retirement plans while recognizing the unique privacy considerations applicable to health benefits.
09.09.2025 10.28 CDT
SEC penalizes Empower and Vanguard for inadequate managed account disclosures
Empower and Vanguard Penalized for Undisclosed Conflicts
On August 29, the SEC issued orders against units of Empower and Vanguard for inadequate and misleading disclosure regarding the firms’ conflicts of interest in promoting their managed account products.
The SEC has issued orders against Empower and Vanguard for inadequate and misleading disclosure regarding the sales of the firms’ managed account products.
28.05.2020 01.44 CDT
On May 15 the Department of Labor finalized new “safe harbor” rules for the use of electronic media to provide documents required under ERISA. These new rules represent a potentially important easing of the efforts needed for plan administrators to meet disclosure obligations under ERISA. However, a more careful review of the rules raises significant questions about whether the new rules will live up to their potential.
The Department of Labor has issued new “safe harbor” rules for the use of electronic media to provide documents required under ERISA. These new rules represent a potentially important easing of the efforts needed for plan administrators to meet disclosure obligations under ERISA. However, a more careful review of the rules raises significant questions about whether the new rules will live up to their potential.
25.10.2018 09.34 CDT
Disclosure on health care costs can help reduce those costs. That is not always true.
Increased Health Care Disclosure: Will It Help?
The federal government has taken steps to increase the amount of information available to consumers about health care costs. Will it help?
In recent weeks the federal government has taken a number of steps to increase the information available to consumers. However, it is not clear whether these new disclosures represent breakthroughs in transparency or are simply window dressing.