Welcome! Strafford is now BARBRI! The expert courses you know from the trusted global leader in legal education.
Description
On Sept. 9, 2024, final MHPAEA regulations were released providing significant challenges for plan sponsors in ensuring that their health plans remain compliant. In addition to the strict requirements under the final MHPAEA regulations, health plans providing MH/SUD benefits must ensure compliance with CAA requirements and recent federal regulations.
All group health plans and insurers that provide MH/SUD benefits must comply with parity rules, with limited exceptions. Benefits counsel and advisers must address the risks to plan sponsors and insurers by reassessing current health plans, adhering to the new final MHPAEA rules and disclosure obligations under ERISA, and confronting other issues that result in DOL or HHS audits or class action lawsuits.
Under the 2021 CAA, plan sponsors and insurers must perform and document a comparative analysis of the design and application of NQTLs and the duty to disclose this analysis and related information to the DOL or HHS (or participants and beneficiaries) on request. The final regulations amend existing provisions and provide new requirements for NQTL comparative analyses as mandated by the CAA. In addition, the final regulations also encompasses new standards for determining "meaningful benefits" under the regulations.
Listen as our panel discusses the legal requirements of the parity rules under the MHPAEA regulations, CAA requirements, ERISA disclosure requirements, recent DOL and HHS enforcement of parity violations, and techniques for maintaining compliance and handling DOL and HHS health plan audits and plaintiff lawsuits.
Presented By
Ms. Campbell is co-chair of the firm’s Health Services group. She advises clients on all aspects of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), including the insurance market reforms, qualified health plan standards, exchange rules, consumer assistance programs for the federal marketplace, and ACA section 1557 nondiscrimination rules. Ms. Campbell also works with clients on the Federal Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA), state insurance law, and Medicare and Medicaid. She represents health insurance companies, employers, consultants, and trade associations on federal and state laws regulating health coverage. Ms. Campbell also provides advice on advocacy with federal and state agencies, compliance programs, government enforcement, and regulatory initiatives.
Ms. Fepelstein advises clients on health and welfare plans, helping them stay in compliance with applicable requirements under ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, the Affordable Care Act, COBRA, and HIPAA. She also prepares and reviews plan documents and related materials. In addition, Ms. Fepelstein reviews and negotiates services agreements with third parties. Before joining Morgan Lewis, she served in the US Department of Labor’s (DOL) Office of Health Plan Standards and Compliance Assistance.
Mr. Shillcutt has deep experience in the areas of behavioral health, government and commercial reimbursement, and managed care due to his work at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
-
This 90-minute webinar is eligible in most states for 1.5 CLE credits.
-
Live Online
On Demand
Date + Time
- event
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
- schedule
1:00 p.m. ET./10:00 a.m. PT
Outline
- Regulatory timeline and context for the 2024 MHPAEA regulations
- Key provisions and compliance considerations for the 2024 final rules for MHPAEA
- DOL and HHS compliance enforcement processes and penalties for MHPAEA
- Best practices for contracting with and monitoring service providers for MHPAEA compliance
Benefits
The panel will review these and other crucial questions:
- Final MHPAEA rules and legal requirements for plans providing MH/SUD benefits
- DOL, HHS, and IRS guidance on MHPAEA compliance and implementation
- Comparative analysis requirement for any NQTLs under the CAA
- New standards for "meaningful benefits" and NQTLs
- ERISA disclosure requirements for health plans providing MH/SUD benefits
- DOL and HHS compliance enforcement and handling health plan audits
Unlimited access to premium CLE courses:
- Annual access
- Available live and on-demand
- Best for attorneys and legal professionals
Unlimited access to premium CPE courses.:
- Annual access
- Available live and on-demand
- Best for CPAs and tax professionals
Unlimited access to premium CLE, CPE, Professional Skills and Practice-Ready courses.:
- Annual access
- Available live and on-demand
- Best for legal, accounting, and tax professionals
Unlimited access to Professional Skills and Practice-Ready courses:
- Annual access
- Available on-demand
- Best for new attorneys
Related Courses
No Surprises Act Guidance for Health Plans: Final Rules, IDR Process, Qualifying Payment Amounts, Disclosures
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
1:00 p.m. ET./10:00 a.m. PT
Navigating 401(k) and 403(b) Plan Litigation Risks: Key Issues for Sponsors and Administrators
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
1:00 p.m. ET./10:00 a.m. PT
AI in Employee Benefits Administration: Navigating the Legal Framework, Fiduciary Considerations, State Law Issues
Thursday, December 4, 2025
1:00 PM E.T.
Recommended Resources
Getting the Most Out of BARBRI Resources
- Learning & Development
- Business & Professional Skills
- Talent Development
Navigating Modern Legal Challenges: A Comprehensive Guide
- Business & Professional Skills
- Career Advancement