Benefits Compliance & Legal Requirements
Benefits Compliance & Legal Requirements
Benefits Compliance & Legal Requirements is the definitive course for benefits professionals who want to master the complex web of federal laws governing employer health plans. Across 16 modules, you will learn every major compliance obligation — from ERISA fiduciary duty and ACA employer mandate to HIPAA, COBRA, MHPAEA, the No Surprises Act, and state law considerations. Built for advisors who want to be indispensable compliance partners and protect their clients from costly penalties and litigation.
What You Will Learn
Learning objectives for this course.
Who This Course Is For
This course is designed for the following roles.
Course Modules
16 modules · 80 lessons
ERISA Fundamentals: The Foundation of Benefits Law
Master the Employee Retirement Income Security Act — the federal law that governs most employer health plans.
5 lessons · 45 min
ACA Employer Mandate: Compliance and Penalty Avoidance
Navigate ACA employer shared responsibility requirements and avoid costly 4980H penalties.
5 lessons · 50 min
HIPAA Privacy and Security for Employer Plans
Understand HIPAA obligations for self-funded plans and the employer's role as plan sponsor.
5 lessons · 45 min
COBRA: Administration, Notices, and Common Pitfalls
Master COBRA continuation coverage requirements and avoid the costly penalties of non-compliance.
5 lessons · 45 min
FMLA: Leave Administration and Benefits Continuation
Navigate FMLA requirements including benefits continuation, intermittent leave, and return-to-work obligations.
5 lessons · 45 min
MHPAEA: Mental Health Parity Compliance
Understand the 2024 MHPAEA final rule and build a defensible comparative analysis for your plan.
5 lessons · 50 min
CAA 2021: Transparency, Broker Disclosure, and No Surprises Act
Navigate the Consolidated Appropriations Act's sweeping transparency and disclosure requirements.
5 lessons · 50 min
HSA, HRA, and FSA: Tax-Advantaged Account Compliance
Master the eligibility, contribution, and compliance rules for all three major tax-advantaged health accounts.
5 lessons · 45 min
ADA and GINA: Wellness Program Compliance
Navigate ADA and GINA requirements for wellness programs and avoid the legal pitfalls of health-contingent incentives.
5 lessons · 45 min
PCORI Fee, Reinsurance Contributions, and Other ACA Fees
Master the ongoing ACA fee obligations for self-funded and fully insured plans.
5 lessons · 40 min
Section 125 Cafeteria Plans: Design and Compliance
Design compliant Section 125 cafeteria plans that maximize tax savings for employers and employees.
5 lessons · 45 min
Medicare Secondary Payer: Coordination and Compliance
Navigate Medicare Secondary Payer rules to avoid costly penalties and ensure proper claims coordination.
5 lessons · 45 min
Required Notices and Disclosures: Annual Compliance Calendar
Master the full calendar of required benefit notices and disclosures to avoid penalties and DOL scrutiny.
5 lessons · 45 min
DOL Audit Preparation: What to Expect and How to Prepare
Prepare employers for DOL benefit plan audits with a systematic documentation and response framework.
5 lessons · 45 min
State Benefit Mandates: Navigating the Patchwork of State Laws
Understand how state benefit mandates interact with ERISA preemption for self-funded and fully insured plans.
5 lessons · 45 min
Building a Compliance Advisory Practice
Position compliance expertise as a premium service offering and build recurring revenue from compliance advisory.
5 lessons · 45 min
Earn Your Certificate
Complete all modules, pass the module quizzes, and score 80% or higher on the 50-question final exam to earn your certificate of completion and 5.5 certificate hours.