Welfare Plans Edition
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August 17, 2000
Online Group Health Purchasing is Still a Click (or Two) Away
Excerpt: "Companies such as EHealthInsurance and Quotesmith.com have begun adding small group coverage to their offerings in an attempt to help small businesses find affordable, good coverage. But today the online brokers can only show you policy comparisons in a small number of states." (Deborah Whitman, on bCentral)
Bipartisan Proposal Would Allow Long-Term Care Insurance In Cafeteria Plans
Excerpt: "The current Code expressly provides that any product 'advertised, marketed, or offered as long-term care insurance' is not a qualified benefit under Section 125, as noted above. However, the pending legislation would change this treatment in the case of qualified LTCs. Here are some reasons why supporters want this change..." (National Underwriter Company)
District Court Dismisses ERISA Suit Filed by Connecticut Attorney General
Excerpt: "Although U.S. District Court Judge Stefan R. Underhill said that the lawsuit filed in December against PHS Health Plans appears to raise 'very legitimate and serious concerns,' he dismissed it, ruling the state has no legal standing to bring the action." (Hartford Courant)
Supremes Squelch ERISA Attack on HMOs
Excerpt: "As is often the case, policy seemed to drive the Court as much as legal reasoning. One branch of the opinion noted that HMOs have been promoted and protected by Congress for 27 years. And Congress knows as much as anyone that the driving rationale of HMOs is to manage, i.e., ration, care." (Nixon Peabody LLP)
Benefits for Physical and Mental Disabilities Revisited Again
Excerpt: "[The EEOC continues its] attack on employer benefit plans under the Americans with Disabilities Act where those plans impose different durational limits on mental disabilities compared to physical disabilities. For decades, virtually every long-term disability plan has discontinued mental disability benefits after two years (the most common plan provision) while continuing physical disability benefits until retirement or for life." (Nixon Peabody LLP)
Elder Care Becoming Attractive As Employee Benefit
Excerpt: "It's not just child care anymore. A growing number of large employers are rolling out innovative programs to aid workers who are caring for elderly relatives. The stepped-up efforts are coming amid reports that productivity suffers when employees grapple with elder care demands." (USA Today)
Insurance Leaders Say Health Care Reform Tops Presidential Debate
Excerpt: "As the Democrats converge at their national convention, presidential hopefuls from both major parties realize they have to find a remedy for the country's ailing health care system. Reform proposals will remain at the top of the national agenda throughout the fall campaign, local health insurance leaders say." (Knight-Ridder / Tribune Business News)
Top Ten Reasons to Enact a Health Insurance Tax Credit
Excerpt: "In an era of budget surpluses, and with health costs returning as a national issue, the time is right for Congress to readdress health reform and health coverage for the uninsured. All Americans deserve a decent chance to acquire affordable, dependable health coverage. Congress should enact a refundable tax credit for health insurance that will increase the number of Americans who have health care coverage and increase their choice and control over their health insurance." (David B. Kendall, published by the Progressive Policy Institute)
Primer: The United Kingdom National Health Service
Excerpt: "A personal (and probably biased) guide to its history, trials and tribulations for anyone interested. Where possible, dates and figures have been verified but what follows is best taken as a personal view. It is intended as a guide and introduction to a health care system that intrigues and confuses many in the UK, and even more abroad." (Dr Jeremy Rogers MRCGP)
Welcome to new BenefitsLink advertiser Lifestyle Management Solutions, Inc.
Lifestyle Management Solutions, Inc. offers a variety of Work/Life Benefit options for companies looking to attract and retain the most talented work-force. With Domestic Management Services, Lifestyle Management Solutions' cost-effective cash sign-on/retention bonus alternative, they manage select employees personal needs and home. They also offer Relocation Services, Lifestyle related programming and workshops, and Wellness Programming.
(Following also appears in Retirement Plans Edition)
Cheney Officially Collects Hefty Early-Out Package from Texas Oil Company
Excerpt: "The estimated value of his retirement package ranges from nothing to $13.7 million, depending on who is doing the interpreting. 'Zero,' said Gary Morris, the corporation's chief financial officer, when asked about the retirement package's value. 'Everything he is taking away, he earned while he was employed here.'" (Knight-Ridder / Tribune Business News)
Halliburton Press Release on Terms of Dick Cheney's Departure
Excerpt: "Halliburton Company ... announced the following terms relating to Dick Cheney's departure from the company which were approved by its board of directors in a special meeting held on July 25, 2000." (PR Newswire, via news.excite.com)
In Retirement Deal, Cheney Could Keep Options in Office
Excerpt: "Mr. Cheney has previously said that he would sell his stake in Halliburton before he takes office, assuming the Republicans win the presidency. But under Halliburton's stock option plan, Mr. Cheney would not be allowed to sell the options, which cannot be transferred except on death." (New York Times; free registration required)
| Sr. Actuarial Analyst | for Aon Consulting, Inc. in PA |
| Pension Administrator | for Philips Electronics - Personal Access Center for Employees (PACE) in FL |
| Pension Systems Supervisor - Palm Beach Gardens, Florida | for Philips Electronics - Personal Access Center for Employees (PACE) in FL |
| Daily Valuation Administrator | for WESPAC Plan Services, Inc. in CA |
| Account Manager –Internet Benefits | for ClearBenefits.com in CA |
| Client Relationship Manager | for Fidelity Investments in TX |
| ERISA Specialist / Legal | for Fidelity Investments in TX |
| Pension Analyst | for Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company in NE |
| Retirement Plans Service Rep | for Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company in CA, IL, MN |
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