On July 22, the Departments of Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services jointly released Interim Final Rules enhancing a plan’s claims and appeals process.

Back in 2000, the Department of Labor issued regulations – for all ERISA health plans – with the intent to ensure timely decisions regarding urgent and non-urgent care, as well as to ensure appropriate notification to plan participants of their appeal rights. The regulations issued on July 22, 2010, generally add six new requirements to those already in the existing internal claims procedures regulation.

These are interim final rules (IFRs), which means final rules may eventually differ, but these rules are final in the interim.

Click HERE for the carrier's release, which includes general highlights of the new regulations.

If you have any questions, please contact your dedicated Savoy Associates Account Executive.