Archive for month: May, 2025

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On May 12, a federal court granted a request from the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Treasury (“the Departments”) to pause litigation regarding the 2024 Mental Health Parity & Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) final rule while the Departments reconsider whether to modify or rescind the rule through new proposed rulemaking. Then, on May 15, the Departments announced a temporary non-enforcement period for the 2024 MHPAEA final rule, effective immediately, that will remain in place through the eighteenth month after a final court decision is made, giving employers time to comply accordingly. The non-enforcement statement can be found here. 

While enforcement efforts for the 2024 MHPAEA final rule are paused, employers do not have to comply with the new fiduciary certification requirement, certain new definitions, the requirement to provide meaningful benefits, and the requirement to collect and analyze relevant data as part of the written comparative analysis. 

However, the Departments have made it clear that the framework for MHPAEA that existed prior to the 2024 MHPAEA final rule is unaffected, including:  

• The 2013 final rule (e.g., classifications for benefits, substantially all and predominant level tests for financial requirements and quantitative treatment limitations (QTLs), and the concept of parity for non-quantitative treatment limitations (NQTLs); 

• Guidance and FAQs issued since the 2013 final rule; and,  

• The written comparative analysis requirement for NQTLs added by Congress in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021.  

Therefore, employers should continue to design and administer their group health plans in accordance with MHPAEA, test their QTLs for parity, and maintain a current NQTL written comparative analysis in case of agency audit or participant request. It is only those additional requirements introduced in the fall of 2024 that are subject to the Departments’ non-enforcement provision, and we expect that federal employer audits for compliance with the preexisting MHPAEA rules will continue. We will carefully monitor this situation and provide updates as they become available. 

Please follow this link or reach out to us at engage@mzqconsulting.com for more information about our MHPAEA compliance services. 

 

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Join Marissa Rufo, JD, MBA, MZQ Consulting, for the latest Compliance Corner! 

When: Tuesday, May 20, 2025, 11:00 AM Pacific / 2:00 PM Eastern

Where: Zoom | Register here

 

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Fiduciary duty and ERISA plan documents 

Staying compliant with ERISA requirements is a vital part of maintaining your benefit plans and avoiding legal risks. In this session, we’ll dive into the essentials of ERISA compliance, starting with a brief overview of fiduciary duties under ERISA, followed by a high-level overview of ERISA plan documents and disclosures compliance. Get your notebooks and pens ready to take notes for this ERISA overview jam-packed with practical advice, strategy tips, and more!

Who is MZQ Consulting? 

MZQ Consulting is a boutique ACA and benefits compliance consultancy helping people navigate the complex world of employee benefits compliance through deep expertise and superb client service.

Want to attend?

Save your seat by clicking here. 

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