DOL Issues Association Health Plan Compliance Assistance

The Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued an ERISA compliance assistance bulletin for Association Health Plans (AHPs). The guidance highlights the various rules that apply under ERISA for managing and operating a group health plan, including:

• Disclosure requirements, such as the Plan Document, Summary Plan Description, and Summary of Benefits and Coverage
• Reporting requirements, such as DOL Form 5500 and Form M-1
• Benefit Claim Administration
• COBRA Continuation Provisions
• Consumer Protections under Part 7 of ERISA, such as the Affordable Care Act, the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, the Newborns’ and Mothers’ Health Protection Act, the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act
• Fiduciary Rules and Prohibited Transactions
• MEWA Enforcement Provisions
• State Regulatory Authority

The guidance also contains links to other DOL compliance resources and is a must read for those contemplating sponsoring or participating in an AHP.