New York's attorney general and the federal Employee Benefits Security Administration have agreed to share information and address violations of laws covering health insurance offered as worker benefits.
They say the five-year memorandum enables them to conduct joint investigations and assist each other with enforcement, whether those covered are members of plans offered by insurance companies or self-insured plans created by private employers.
According to authorities, New York is prohibited from enforcing state laws against self-insured health plans, covering about half New York workers, where private employers pay all or a portion of employees' health care costs directly.
Conversely, they say federal officials lack authority to regulate health insurance companies in their role as insurers.
Both offices have investigated lapses under their respective laws for parity in mental health treatment.