The Trump administration has issued a series of executive orders aimed at recalibrating federal oversight of employer-sponsored health plans. These directives target unpublished rules and agency enforcement priorities, signaling a shift toward deregulation and increased flexibility for plan sponsors.

As Q4 begins, benefits managers face a trio of compliance developments with implications for plan design, documentation, and year-end filings. Two are federal in scope, while one local ordinance continues to affect employers nationwide.

As the final quarter of 2025 begins, several developments in benefits administration are reshaping how employers manage compliance, coverage, and communications. From rebate distribution rules to state-level legislation, benefits managers should take note of key updates that may affect plan operations and documentation heading into year-end.

To prepare for open enrollment, employers that sponsor health plans should be aware of compliance changes affecting the design and administration of their plans for plan years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2026. These changes include limits adjusted for inflation each year, such as the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) affordability percentage and cost-sharing limits for high deductible health plans (HDHPs). Employers should review their health plan’s design to confirm that it has been updated, as necessary, for these changes.