A federal magistrate has given preliminary approval to a settlement of nearly $12.9 million in a case filed against health insurance giant Anthem under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). In the suit, plan participants and beneficiaries alleged that Anthem inappropriately denied coverage for individuals receiving residential behavioral health treatment for mental health conditions or substance use disorders. The
Latest from Hall Benefits Law Blog
Senate Confirms EEOC Commissioner Nominee to Reestablish Quorum
The U.S. Senate’s confirmation of Brittany Panuccio as a commissioner of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is highly significant because it restores the quorum needed for many EEOC actions. The EEOC requires a simple majority vote to approve actions, but for most of the year, EEOC actions have been hobbled by only two sitting commissioners. With the addition
Federal Agency FAQs Clarify How Insurance Plans May Offer Fertility Treatment as Excepted Benefits
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS), and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently issued FAQs About Affordable Care Act Implementation Part 72. President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14216, “Expanding Access to In Vitro Fertilization,” is likely the reason these FAQs were issued.
The purpose of these FAQs is to clarify how employer-sponsored health
EEOC Filed A Record 10-Year Low Number of Suits in FY 2025
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has hit a 10-year low in the number of suits filed during FY2025. The EEOC filed 93 suits in FY2025, one of the lowest numbers in the past 30 years. In contrast, the EEOC filed 71 suits in just one month of FY2023.
Following the typical pattern, the EEOC’s FY2025 suits were primarily
Cigna to Join TrumpRx Fertility Drug Expansion Program
President Trump recently announced that it would offer Gonal-F, a drug used by women undergoing in vitro fertilization, for a highly discounted price through TrumpRx.gov, a pharmacy website open to the public. TrumpRx.gov is expected to begin operations in January 2026. Its purpose is to offer discounted medications directly to U.S. consumers. The Trump administration launched the project after reaching
Colorado First State to Place Price Cap on Prescription Drug
The state of Colorado has made history as its Prescription Drug Affordability Review Board has placed a price limit on the prescription drug Embrel from Immunex Corp. Embrel is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases.
The Colorado Consumer Health Initiative estimates that the price cap could save consumers $32 million in drug spending. About 60% of the
ICHRA Legislation Reboot May Attract Bipartisan Support Amidst Government Shutdown
Although lawmakers of both parties failed to include a law concerning Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs) into the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), efforts are underway to “reboot” ICHRA through a stand-alone bill. Republican lawmakers in the House and Senate have both introduced versions of a new ICHRA bill. Supporters of ICHRAs praise them for expanding access to
Trump to Impose 100% Tariff on Some Imported Prescription Drugs
President Donald Trump recently posted on Truth Social that he intends to impose a 100% tariff on some imported prescription drugs, effective October 1, 2025. The 100% tariff has not been widely implemented as of October 30, 2025, but its threat remains an active tool for pressuring pharmaceutical companies. The new tariff would affect both brand-name prescription medications and patented
District Court Greenlights ERISA Fiduciary Breach Claim for Lack of Disclosures and No Surprises Act Claim
A federal district court recently allowed claims under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and the No Surprises Act to proceed but dismissed various other claims. More specifically, the court refused to dismiss an ERISA fiduciary breach claim for failing to make certain required disclosures and a claim under the No Surprises Act for failing to update a provider
Federal Court Rules ERISA Doesn’t Preempt Arkansas PBM Rule
An Illinois federal district court has ruled that the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) does not preempt an Arkansas Insurance Department (“the Department”) rule that regulates pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). The case is Central States, Southeast and Southwest Areas Health and Wellness Fund et al. vs. McClain.
Rule 128 requires ERISA-governed plans to report certain information about compensation paid