U.S. Department of Labor proposes e-delivery default for employers

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is drafting a regulation that would establish electronic delivery as the default option for employers interacting with the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) and other federal agencies. The proposal is currently under review by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA).

Industry representatives, including the ERISA Industry Committee (ERIC) and the Business Group on Health, have expressed support for making e-delivery the default for health plans. Proponents argue that transitioning away from paper requirements can generate significant cost savings that could be redirected toward improving healthcare services for workers.

A report from Ipsos cited by ERIC indicates that 91% of participants in health plans governed by ERISA most frequently access plan information through electronic systems. The survey also found that 78% of participants would prefer e-delivery as their default option.

Additionally, the Labor Department is preparing a proposal intended to facilitate the ability of certain employers to offer association health plans as a means to lower healthcare costs.