Media Release

Release Date: 12/12/2000
Release Number: USDL: 01-07
Contact Name: Gloria Della
Phone Number: 202.219.8921

Labor Department Publishes Year 2000 Form M-1 For Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangements

The U. S. Department of Labor’s Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration today announced it will publish in the Federal Register the Year 2000 Form M-1 annual report for multiple employer welfare arrangements (MEWAs). This form is the same as the 1999 form, but several clarifications were added to the instructions in response to comments.

Generally MEWAs are arrangements which offer medical benefits to the employees of two or more employers, or to their beneficiaries. These arrangements may not include plans which are established or maintained under collective bargaining agreements, by a rural electric cooperative or by a rural telephone cooperative association.

The Labor Department has authority under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act to require reporting of information about MEWAs. Administrators generally must file the one-page Form M-1 once a year. The Year 2000 form is generally due March 1, 2001, but administrators can request an automatic 60-day extension to May 1, 2000.

The Year 2000 Form M-1 is available by calling PWBA’s toll-free publications hotline at 1-800-998-7542 and will be available soon on the internet at www.dol.gov/dol/pwba. Administrators may contact the PWBA Help Desk for assistance in completing this form by calling (202) 219-8770.

U.S. Department of Labor news releases are accessible on the Internet. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the Central Office for Assistive Services and Technology. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call 202.693.7773 or TTY 202.693.7775.