Changes will expand the pool of employers who may be eligible to create, join or establish a self-funded……
The DOL’s Proposed Rule … A Sleeper Provision for Self-Funding?
On February 12, 2018 in Blog, Department of Labor, ERISA
By: Jen McCormick, Esq.
On January 5, 2018, the Department of Labor (DOL) responded with a proposed regulation which would extend the circumstances in which an association may function as an “employer” under ERISA, and would alter the way in which it would be regulated.
The proposed regulations make two important modifications:
(1) create a unique dual status for working owners and
(2) modifies the interpretation of the commonality of interest requirements.
The “dual status” requirement would permit a working owner or sole proprietor to function as both the employer for purposes of joining the association and as the employee for purposes of being covered by the plan.
The “commonality of interest” requirement would allow formation of an association for the purpose of offering health insurance.
The rule does not impose prohibitions on forming new associations (or specify size limitations), but it does provide formal organizational requirements for associations. While it may seem this rule will not have a major impact on self-funding, these two changes will expand the pool of employers who may be eligible to create, join or establish a self-funded. This could create new opportunities.
