Podcast Episode 33: What It Means: DOL Releases Final Rule For Association Health Plans

In this episode, Suzanne Spradley and K.C. Barner discuss the newly released final rule related to the creation and maintenance of association health plans (AHPs) under ERISA. The DOL’s final rule is a long-awaited response to the Oct. 12, 2017, executive order from Pres. Trump directing the DOL and other agencies to (among other things) expand the availability of AHPs. Suzanne breaks down the DOL’s final rule, which loosens restrictions on AHPs to allow more groups of employers to qualify as associations for the purpose of sponsoring group health plan benefits. The two discuss the impact on sole proprietors and other self-employed individuals, and how state and federal (including ACA) regulation of an AHP would work.