After substantial delay and uncertainty, the U.S. Department of Labor’s proposed amendments to regulations governing the claims procedures companies must follow when handling claims for disability benefits are now effective. The new rule applies to ERISA employee benefit plans (both tax and non-tax qualified) and all claims for disability benefits under those plans received on or after April 2, 2018. Companies will need to consider whether their employee benefit plans are impacted by the rule and if so, what they must do to comply.
