The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) published a Reporting and Disclosure Guide for Employee Benefit Plans. This guide may be used as a reference tool for certain basic reporting and disclosure requirements under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA).
The Guide identifies 29 reporting obligations for sponsors of ERISA-covered group health plans. It explains what must be disclosed, to whom it must be disclosed, and when it must be disclosed. While some items depend on the terms and conditions of the plan, a review of the list will be helpful for ensuring compliance with the requirements of ERISA.
Basic Disclosure Requirements for Health and Welfare Plans include:
Summary plan description
Summary of material modifications
Summary annual report
Notification of benefit determination
Plan documents
Summary of material reduction in covered services or benefits
COBRA general notice
COBRA election notice
Notice of unavailability of COBRA
Notice of early termination of COBRA coverage
Medical child support order notice
National medical support notice
Notice of special enrollment rights
CHIPRA notice
Wellness program disclosure
Newborns’ Act description of rights
Michelle’s law enrollment notice
Women’s health and Cancer Rights Act notice
Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act notices
Grandfathered Plan notice
Summary of Benefits and Coverage with uniform glossary and notice of modification
Notice regarding designation of primary care provider
Claims and appeal and external review notices
EBSA Form 700 contraception exception notice
Employer notice of coverage options
A copy of the Reporting and Disclosure Guide may be accessed by clicking here.