The claims procedure regulation changes the minimum procedural requirements for the
processing of benefit claims for all employee benefit plans covered under ERISA, although the changes
are minimal for pension and welfare benefit plans other than those that provide group health and
disability benefits. For group health and disability benefit claims, the regulation substantially changes
the procedures for benefit determinations. Among other things, it creates new procedural standards for
initial and appeal-level decisions, new time frames for decision making, and new disclosure rights for
claimants.