The DOL, IRS, and HHS have announced that the interim final regulations on internal claims and appeals for group health plans will be amended in the near future and the enforcement grace period for certain provisions of the regulatory standards will be extended to Jan. 1, 2012 for calendar year plans, instead of the previous July 1, 2011 enforcement date.

Officials at the Employee Benefits Security Administration said a review of public comments justified a six-month extension of the enforcement grace period and that it is intended to act as a bridge until an amendment to the interim final regulations is issued.

As background, the interim final rule was published on July 23, 2010 and required group health plans and insurers to establish a comprehensive appeals process for patients who appeal decisions on coverage, services and claim payments. This guidance generally applied to plan years beginning on or after Sept. 23, 2010 and did not apply to grandfathered plans under PPACA.

Click here to read Technical Release 2011-1.