Newsletters

04.06.21

Updates from the Wit v. United Behavioral Health ERISA Class Action

On February 1, 2021, Chief Magistrate Judge Joseph C. Spero entered final judgment in Wit v. United Behavioral Health, No. 3:14-cv-2346 (N.D. Cal.).


03.08.21

Claims for Interference With At-Will Contracts Now Require Independently Wrongful Act

On August 3, 2020, the California Supreme Court held in Ixchel Pharma, LLC v. Biogen, Inc. that tortious interference with at-will contracts requires establishing wrongful conduct independent of interference itself.


01.21.21

EEOC Proposes New Incentive Limits for Workplace Wellness Programs

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission proposed two new regulations on January 7 applying the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 to workplace wellness programs.


01.20.21

What Health Plans Need to Know: California DMHC All Plan Letter on Implementing Senate Bill 855

On January 5, 2021, the California Department of Managed Health Care issued an All Plan Letter regarding the newly passed California Senate Bill 855 (Wiener, Stats. 2020, ch. 151 § 2) (SB 855).


01.07.21

Independent Dispute Resolution Under the No Surprises Act—Something for Everyone, When It Applies

The long-awaited and hard-fought No Surprises Act was signed into law on December 27, 2020, as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Division BB, Title I, Sec. 101–118).


11.30.20

HHS Finalizes Anti-Kickback and Stark Reforms that Simplify Compliance and Promote Value-Based Care

On November 20, 2020, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published two rules that finalize sweeping reforms to the regulations governing fraud and abuse in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.


11.04.20

New York Imposes Extensive Behavioral Health Parity Compliance Rules

On September 30, 2020, the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) and Department of Health (DOH) promulgated regulations requiring health insurers operating in the state to develop and implement a mental health and substance use disorder (MH/SUD) parity compliance program.


10.21.20

What a Supreme Court Vacancy Could Mean for the ACA

On November 10, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments in California v. Texas—formerly referred to as Texas v. United States—a case challenging the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).


09.28.20

CA Approves New Parity Law Expanding Coverage Obligations for Mental Health and SUD Treatment

On September 25, 2020, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 855 into law. SB 855 fundamentally alters California’s regulation of mental health and substance use disorder (MH/SUD) treatment, and it applies to all California health plans and disability insurance policies issued, amended or ...


07.22.20

What Are Healthcare Payers’ Coverage Obligations for COVID-19 Antibody Testing?

Manatt examines healthcare payers’ coverage obligations for COVID-19 antibody testing.