U.S. Labor Department Publishes 2009 Form M-1 For MEWAs

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration ("EBSA") announced this week the availability of the 2009 "Form M-1" annual report for multiple employer welfare arrangements ("MEWA"). Benefit plan administrators may use EBSA’s online filing system to expedite processing of the form. MEWAs typically are arrangements that offer medical benefits to the employees of two or more employers or to their beneficiaries. The filing deadline for the 2009 Form M-1 is March 1, 2010. However, administrators can request an automatic 60-day extension to May 3, 2010. The online filing system is available on EBSA’s Web site at http://www.askebsa.dol.gov/mewa