Consumer Health Claim Assistance Act

The Consumer Health Claim Assistance Act creates a new Benefits Assistance Program within the Department of Labor to help employees and beneficiaries navigate denied health claims and file appeals. Starting in 2027, this program will provide direct assistance to individuals facing adverse benefit determinations, offer training for staff, and track complaints to ensure plans follow their rules and laws. To fund these efforts, the bill introduces new filing fees for single-employer welfare plans, with costs ranging from $250 to at least $1,000 depending on the number of participants. At least half of the revenue from these fees must be used to support the new assistance program, while the remainder funds enforcement activities. Additionally, the legislation requires smaller plans that do not normally file annual reports to submit basic notices about their coverage and funding methods.