The Washington Report
January 29, 2025
Note to Subscribers
While we do our best to provide timely updates, it is possible that the information shared in the newsletter may change after our publication deadline.
Health
HHS Announces 15 Additional Drugs Selected for Medicare Drug Price Negotiations
On January 17, 2025, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the selection of 15 additional drugs covered under Medicare Part D for price negotiations, as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. The negotiations with participating drug companies for these 15 drugs will occur in 2025 and any negotiated prices will become effective in 2027.
The news release is available here.
A Fact Sheet is available here.
Departments Issue 2024 MHPAEA Report to Congress
On January 17, 2025, the Departments of Labor, HHS, and Treasury (Departments) issued their 2024 Report to Congress on the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) enforcement and implementation, which “suggests that group health plans and health insurance issuers are making progress complying with the MHPAEA but are continuing to fall short of the requirement to cover mental health and substance use disorder benefits in parity with medical and surgical benefits.” On the same day the fiscal year 2023 MHPAEA Enforcement Fact Sheet was also released, which highlights enforcement data and significant results from MHPAEA investigations closed by the Employee Benefits Security Administration and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in fiscal year 2023.
The news release is available here.
The 2024 Report to Congress is available here.
The 2023 Enforcement Fact Sheet is available here.
Retirement
PBGC Releases Proposed Rule on Miscellaneous Corrections, Clarifications, and Improvements
On January 17, 2025, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) released a proposed rule which provides miscellaneous technical corrections, clarifications, and improvements to its regulations, including its regulations on premium rates, premium due dates, and termination of single-employer plans. These changes are a result of the PBGC’s ongoing retrospective review of the effectiveness and clarity of its rules and of statutory changes. Comments on the proposed rule must be received by March 24, 2025.
The proposed rule is available here.
Aon Publications
Medicare Part D Disclosure Reminder
This Aon bulletin is a reminder of an annual disclosure requirement applicable to most employers that provide prescription drug coverage to individuals who are Medicare Part D-eligible. This disclosure is not new and should have occurred each year since 2006. The disclosure applies regardless of whether an employer provides retiree prescription drug benefits.
The Aon bulletin is available here.