ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA Technical Releases

Detected March 14th, 2026

Summary

The Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) has compiled a list of technical releases related to ERISA, HIPAA, and COBRA. These releases provide guidance on various aspects of employee benefit plans, including health insurance, claims, and disclosures.

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What changed

This document serves as a compilation of historical technical releases issued by the Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) concerning ERISA, HIPAA, and COBRA. It includes releases dating back to 1997, covering topics such as proposed relevant data requirements for Non-quantitative Treatment Limitations (NQTLs), application of ACA reforms to student health coverage, state regulation of stop-loss insurance, guidance on same-sex marriages and employee benefit plans, HRAs, FSAs, COBRA notices, electronic disclosures, and HIPAA portability provisions.

Compliance officers should review these releases to understand historical guidance and interpretations related to employee benefit plans. While many of these releases may be superseded or updated by subsequent regulations, they can provide context for existing compliance frameworks. Specifically, Technical Release 2023-01P is a current request for comment on proposed relevant data requirements for NQTLs, indicating an ongoing regulatory focus in this area. No immediate actions are required based on this compilation, but it is a valuable resource for understanding the evolution of employee benefits regulations.

Source document (simplified)

Collapse All 2023
- Technical Release 2023-01P - Request for Comment on Proposed Relevant Data Requirements for Nonquantitive Treatment Limitations (NQTLs) Related to Network Composition and Enforcement Safe Harbor for Group Health Plans and Health Insurance Issuers Subject to the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act
2016
- Technical Release 2016-01 - Application of the Market Reforms and other Provisions of the ACA to Student Health Coverage
2014
- Technical Release 2014-01 - Guidance on State regulation of stop-loss insurance
2013
- Technical Release 2013-04 - Guidance on same-sex marriages and employee benefit plans
- Technical Release 2013-03 - Guidance on the applicability to HRAs, health FSAs, and certain other employer healthcare arrangements
- Technical Release 2013-02 - Guidance on the notice to employees of coverage options under FLSA §18B and updated model election notice under COBRA
- Technical Release 2013-01 - Extension of the Transition Period for the Temporary NAIC-similar State External Review Process under the Affordable Care Act
2012
- Technical Release 2012-02 - Guidance on 90-Day Waiting Period Limitation under Public Health Service Act § 2708
- Technical Release 2012-01 - Automatic Enrollment, Employer Shared Responsibility, and Waiting Periods
2011
- Technical Release 2011-03R - Revised Interim Policy on Electronic Disclosure Under 29 CFR 2550.404a-5
- Technical Release 2011-04 - Guidance on Rebates for Group Health Plans Paid Pursuant to the Medical Loss Ratio Requirements of the Public Health Service Act
- Technical Release 2011-03 - Interim Policy on Electronic Disclosure Under 29 CFR 2550.404a-5. Superseded by Technical Release 2011-03R
- Technical Release 2011-02 - Guidance on External Review for Group Health Plans and Health Insurance Issuers Offering Group and Individual Health Coverage, and Guidance for States on State External Review Processes
- Technical Release 2011-01 - Extension of Non-Enforcement Period Relating to Certain Interim Procedures for Internal Claims and Appeals under ACA
2010
- Technical Release 2010-02 - Interim Procedures for Internal Claims and Appeals under ACA
- Technical Release 2010-01 - Interim Procedures for Federal External Review Relating to Internal Claims and Appeals and External Review under ACA
1997
- Technical Release 97-01 - Clarifies the application of HIPAA portability provisions to Flexible Spending Accounts
- Technical Release 97-02 - Clarifies the application of nondiscrimination provisions to individuals who, prior to the effective date of HIPAA, were denied group health coverage based on a health-status related factor
1996
- Technical Release - Notice of Changes Under HIPAA to Cobra Continuation Coverage under Group Health Plans
1992
- Technical Release 92-01 - Announces the revised enforcement policy with respect to cafeteria and contributory welfare plans and provides guidance on the application of the trust, reporting, and disclosure rules under Title I of ERISA to such plans
1991
- Technical Release 91-1 - Notice Requirements Regarding Transfers of Excess Pension Assets to Retiree Health Benefit Accounts
1988
- Technical Release 88-01 - Announces Enforcement Policy on Participant Contributions to Cafeteria Plans and Consideration of a Regulatory Exemption. Superseded by Technical Release 92-01
1986
- Technical Release 86-01 - Statement on Policies Concerning Soft Dollar and Directed Commission Arrangements