ERISA Violations Get More Expensive

I’ve always admired the modesty of regulatory agencies and their polite expression of force. You might be pleased to learn that the Department of Labor (DOL) just issued interim final rules “to adjust the amounts of civil penalties assessed or enforced in its regulations.” Of course, if you understand official language, you know that the…

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Eating Soup with a Fork – TPA Licensing not the Right Tool

This past legislative session, the Washington House of Representatives considered regulation of third party administrators (TPAs) as recommended by the state Insurance Commissioner. After some confusion over what the Commissioner intended and what should be amended, the bill died a quiet death in committee. Policymakers quickly discovered that TPA regulation had become a surrogate for indirectly addressing…

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Insurance Commissioner Proposes TPA Regulation

The Washington Insurance Commissioner has requested legislation for registration of third party administrators to protect consumers. Third party administrators (TPAs) come in all shapes and sizes and just as many flavors. Insurers typically provide most services for administration of its own health plans. Many Insurers also sell administrative services to self-funded plans which would make…

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