The Bar on Healthcare

Happy Halloween from the Bar! This month, J.D. and Kerri bring you a different perspective on the proposed mental health parity regulations. Employers are weighing in, and they’ve got questions, including what qualifies as an NQTL, telehealth, and when these regulations might take effect. And in Last Call, J.D. is looking forward to the World Series. DISCLAIMER: The Bar on Healthcare is an Aon pod...

The Bar takes one last summer road trip, this time visiting the nation’s capital to discuss the new mental health parity regulations. What do the new proposed regulations mean for employer group health plans, what are the compliance requirements, and what should plan sponsors expect in the coming months? We also discuss state pharmacy benefit manager reform, and the dreaded ERISA pre-emption. Fina...

The Bar on Healthcare –August 2023: Mental Health Parity We’re in the dog days of summer (sorry, service animals only allowed in the Bar). This month, J.D. and Kerri go deep on the new mental health parity regulations, plus an update on the mifepristone case and an update on ERISA pre-emption. And during last call, J.D. conjures the power of the Netflix algorithm to recommend the unexpected hit of...

The heat wave hasn’t slowed us down at The Bar—this month, J.D. and Kerri discuss the new regulations hot off the presses from Treasury, Labor and HHS! How “short” and “limited” is short term limited duration insurance? How will the IRS tax payments from employer-paid fixed indemnity policies? And what’s up with the new Mental Health Parity rules? And in Last Call, J.D. and Kerri channel their inn...

It’s summertime at the Bar, and while normally that means drinks with little umbrellas in them, this summer it means looking back at a consequential Supreme Court case, and the effect it has had on group health plans at both a federal and state level over the past 12 months. J.D. and Kerri also revisit ERISA pre-emption, the Braidwood case and the end of the COVID-19 pandemic era emergencies. In L...

The City of Brotherly Love welcomes you to the Bar! This month, J.D. and Kerri give an update on a handful of topics affecting employer group health plans, including an update on what’s going both in the states and federally with pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), the Washington state long term care mandate, and updates on some important litigation working its way through the courts. And in Last Ca...

The Bar is open and we’re back on the road, coming to you from Aon’s annual Albuquerque Health Forum. In a jam-packed episode, Kerri and J.D. discuss the latest from Congress, an update on the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency and National Emergency. They also have a litigation update, from the fight over mifepristone to the Braidwood preventative medicine case. And in Last Call, J.D. sa...

Spring has sprung at the Bar! Kerri and J.D. give an update on the states and their attempts to regulate pharmacy benefit managers. They also discuss how both Congress and ERISA preemption may play a role and the future of ERISA pre-emption itself. In Last Call, with baseball on the way, J.D. looks forward to a new day at the old ballgame. DISCLAIMER: The Bar on Healthcare is an Aon podcast. Aon i...

The Bar is open, and we’re on the road! This month’s episode was recorded live at the 2023 Carolinas Hospital Roundtable. JD and Kerri discuss the issues facing us in 2023, including the end of the COVID-19 emergencies, the new Congress and its priorities, a Supreme Court case to keep an eye on, and abortion access in the states. In Last Call, J.D. salutes the audience for their work during the pa...

Welcome back to the Bar! We’re still writing 2022 on our bar tabs, but with the new year comes the possibility that the Public Health Emergency (PHE) from HHS and the COVID emergency declaration from the President might soon be ending! What are the implications for employers and their group health plans? And in Last Call, with all the talk of PHEs and HHS, J.D. explores the world of congressional...

The Bar on Healthcare – December 2022 That Was The Year That Was Happy Holidays from the Bar! In our special year-end wrap up episode, J.D. and Kerri count down their nominees for the court cases, laws and regulations that had the biggest impact on employer health plans in 2022. And in Last Call, J.D. and Kerri reveal the Bar on Healthcare’s inaugural Person of the Year. DISCLAIMER: The Bar on Hea...

It’s Halloween at the Bar! And what better way to celebrate spooky season than with the Prescription Drug Data Collection (RxDC)? Our special guest Ed Doherty helps us understand this new filing requirement and shows us there’s nothing to be afraid of! During Last Call, J.D. celebrates the return of blockbuster movies to the big screen. DISCLAIMER: The Bar on Healthcare is an Aon podcast. Aon is n...

The Bar on Healthcare – September 2022: The Inflation Reduction Act Welcome back to the Bar! J.D. and Kerri return from summer break to discuss the Inflation Reduction Act’s effects on healthcare, including prescription drug pricing, changes to Medicare, and ACA exchange subsidies. And in Last Call, J.D. reminds us to always keep our heads in the game – or at least our eyes on the big screen.   DI...

Welcome back to The Bar! This month, J.D. and Kerri discuss the impact on state law from the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health , the Biden Administration’s Executive Order protecting abortion access, and the prospect of federal and state legislation. And in Last Call, J.D. gives us a preview of coming attractions at The Bar.  DISCLAIMER: The Bar on Healthcare is an Aon po...

We bring you a special report on the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Center , which has overturned Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey . Kerri and JD discuss some of the initial effects on employee health plans, from ERISA pre-emption to travel and lodging benefits to mental health parity.   DISCLAIMER: The Bar on Healthcare is an Aon podcast. Aon is no...

It’s summertime at the Bar! Join JD, Kerri, and their special guests—Aon legal consultants Abbey Hendricks and Rachel Arnedt, authors of Aon’s “All About Leave” newsletter covering paid family leave, paid sick leave, and the state, municipal and local laws that govern them. How can a company keep up with all the regulations? With All About Leave, of course. And in Last Call, JD pays tribute to a g...

Welcome back to the Bar! In this episode, JD and Kerri tackle the possible ramifications of the leaked Supreme Court draft decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization . What does it mean for employer health plans if Roe is overturned? What’s the impact of multiple state laws on abortion? Are there unintended consequences of expanded travel benefits?  And in Last Call, JD reminds us th...

Welcome back to The Bar! After a much needed Spring Break, J.D. and Kerri are back with a jam-packed episode. First up is the Biden Administration’s proposed rules fixing the ACA’s “family glitch”—will it really help the Brady Bunch get health care coverage?  Our podcasters discuss the House’s bill to tame the cost of insulin and its prospects in the Senate, along with the new rules on telehealth....

The Bar is open!  Join Kerri and J.D. as they tackle a trio of topics—public exchanges, mental health parity, and single-payer healthcare—that have been under the radar during the pandemic.  And in Last Call, our podcasters hope for warmer weather and the strains of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” as J.D. addresses the Major League Baseball lockout.  You’re always welcome at The Bar!   Additional In...

The Bar is open for the New Year!  Join J.D. and Kerri as they discuss the Supreme Court rulings in the OSHA and CMS vaccine mandate cases, as well as what the change in mayoral administrations means for NYC’s vaccine mandate and new rules around insurers and at-home COVID tests. And in Last Call, it’s back to the Supremes, as JD shouts out the justices for keeping us on our toes on ruling days. Y...

The Bar is open for the holidays!  But the Sixth Circuit has foiled JD and Kerri’s plans for a peaceful end of year wrap-up show.  Join our podcasters as they discuss OSHA’s revived vaccine mandate, the Big Apple’s only-in-New-York vaccine mandate, and the impact on employers.  And in Last Call, JD and Kerri bid a fond farewell to a friend of The Bar! Happy Holidays from all of us at The Bar! DISC...

Welcome back to The Bar! Join Kerri and J.D. as they continue discussing the OSHA ETS mandate in the second of a two-part podcast.  And during Last Call, J.D. asks a pressing question--is there such a thing as too many remote controls? From all of us at The Bar we are wishing you and your loved ones a very happy Thanksgiving ! DISCLAIMER: The Bar on Healthcare is an Aon podcast. Aon is not engaged...

The Bar is open! On the first episode of this two-part podcast, Kerri and J.D. discuss OSHA’s newly announced COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard, the deadlines employers need to meet, and the race to the courthouse to debate its legalities. And in Last Call, our podcasters lift their glasses to a municipal achievement in New Jersey!  DISCLAIMER: The Bar on Healthcare is an Aon podcast. Aon is n...

The Bar is open!  On this episode, Kerri Willis and J.D. Piro discuss the ins and outs of the Biden Administration’s upcoming vaccine mandate—what it will mean for employers, the testing issues, and the impact on employees.  And stay tuned for Last Call, as J.D. Piro shares his license to thrill over the new 007 movie!  You’re always welcome at The Bar!  DISCLAIMER: The Bar on Healthcare is an Aon...

The Bar is open! Grab your favorite spot next to Kerri Willis and J.D. Piro as they discuss the legal requirements and practical implications of using HIPAA’s wellness programs to increase COVID-19 vaccination rates among employees. During Last Call, our podcasters give a shout-out to the U.S. Olympic Women’s Team!  Take a break from the heat—you’re always welcome at The Bar!  DISCLAIMER: The Bar...