Public Hearing Set On Proposed Claims Procedures

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

The U.S. Department of Labor today announced its intention to hold a public hearing Feb.17 and 18 and, if necessary Feb. 19, 1999, on a proposed rule governing employee benefit claims procedures.

The proposed rule, which was published in the Federal Register on Sept. 9, responded to the President's Feb. 20 directive to the Secretary of Labor to issue rules implementing specific recommendations of the President's Advisory Commission on Consumer Protection and Quality in the Health Care Industry. The proposed rule would revise the minimum requirements for benefit claims procedures of employee benefit plans covered under Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).

The purpose of the public hearing is to obtain further information to assist the department in assessing whether, and to what extent, the proposed rule should be modified in conjunction with the adoption of a final rule.

The public hearing will be held in the Labor Department's Auditorium starting at 10:00 a.m. each day. Persons wishing to testify at the hearing should contact Jeffrey J. Turner at the department no later than Jan. 15. Individuals with disabilities, who need specific accommodations, also should contact Turner by Feb. 5 through the Office of Regulations and Interpretations, Room N5669, Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20210.

The department also requested that persons testifying on behalf of plans, plan sponsors and service providers be prepared to answer questions pertaining to specific claims processing procedures (notification methods, time frames, etc.) of their plans, their clients' plans or their members' plans. Oral statements will be limited to 10 minutes, but extended statements may be submitted for the record.

The notice announcing the hearing was published in today's Federal Register. The notice also will be available on PWBA's website at www.dol.gov/dol/ebsa/

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.

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

Contact Name: Sharon Morrissey
Phone Number: 202.219.8921