Electronic Disclosure by Group Health Plans Under ERISA
Abstract
This proposed rule sets forth a new, additional safe harbor for group health plan administrators to use electronic media (e.g., email or web portal) to furnish documents and information to participants and beneficiaries of plans subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). This proposal, if finalized, would allow plan administrators who satisfy specified conditions to provide participants and beneficiaries with a notice that certain disclosures will be made available electronically on a website. Individuals who prefer to receive these disclosures on paper will be able to request paper copies and to opt out of electronic delivery entirely. The Department expects that the proposal, if finalized, would improve the effectiveness of the disclosures and significantly reduce the costs and burden to group health plans associated with furnishing many of the recurring disclosures.
Federal Register Source
This document is published by the Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration. Access the full regulatory text, preamble, and docket comments below.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 2026-14917 Federal Register document?
Document 2026-14917 is a Proposed Rule published by the Department of Labor in the Federal Register on July 23, 2026. This proposed rule sets forth a new, additional safe harbor for group health plan administrators to use electronic media (e.g., email or web portal) to furnish documents and information to participants and beneficiaries of plans subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). This proposal, if finalized, would allow plan administrators who satisfy specified conditions to provide participants and beneficiaries with a notice that certain disclosures will be made available electronically on a website. Individuals who prefer to receive these disclosures on paper will be able to request paper copies and to opt out of electronic delivery entirely. The Department expects that the proposal, if finalized, would improve the effectiveness of the disclosures and significantly reduce the costs and burden to group health plans associated with furnishing many of the recurring disclosures. View the original at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/23/2026-14917/electronic-disclosure-by-group-health-plans-under-erisa.
Is document 2026-14917 an economically significant rule?
No. Document 2026-14917 is not classified as economically significant under Executive Order 12866. Economically significant rules require OIRA review and are estimated to have impacts of $100 million or more per year.