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The BenefitsLink Newsletter -
Welfare Plans Edition February 6, 2001 Today's sponsor is EmployeeBenefitsJobs.com (click on banner for more information)
An Employer's Guide to the HIPAA Privacy Rules (PDF) 5-page client memorandum. Excerpt: "Led by the newly created position of 'privacy official,' employers will need to make major changes to self-insured health plan documents, contracts and administration." (Timothy J. Stanton, Esq. and Lisa L. Collins, Esq. of Gardner, Carton & Douglas) Health Care HIPAA Module Released Based On Microsoft's BizTalk Excerpt: "Microsoft on Monday unveiled the first vertical solution built with its BizTalk Server, which is designed to help health care organizations comply with the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). With BizTalk Server Accelerator for HIPAA, the health care industry will be able to build standards-based XML technology based on the HIPAA schema that will work with organizations' existing IT infrastructure, Microsoft officials said ..." (Infoworld.com) Management Association Releases Sample Position Description for HIPAA-mandated Privacy Officer Excerpt: "The position description, unveiled at the 2001 Healthcare Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Conference and Exhibition, is intended to serve as a template for organizations in development of a privacy officer position." (U.S. Newswire) Employers Are Taking Health Into Cyberspace Excerpt: "The goal is to shift employees from unaccountable consumers into the role of informed consumers with the tools to plan and manage their own health care.... Liability for violating HIPAA privacy regulations gives self-service another boost." (Workforce) Perk Alert: Companies Try Prizes Instead of Bonuses Excerpt: "As technology companies experiment with new strategies to recruit and retain workers, many are rewarding top workers with points, prizes and gadgets instead of the traditional tech carrots: cash bonuses and stock options. The trend is on the rise in tech hubs such as Silicon Valley and Boston, where worthless stock option packages and high turnover have created a relatively disloyal work force and hot competition among recruiters." (CNET.com) Lower Turnover Turns Bosses Into Flextime Believers Excerpt: "Since flexibility was offered as part of a package at Deloitte & Touche to retain female employees, the difference in turnover between women and men at the firm now is 2 percentage points, compared with 10 percentage points eight years ago." (Chicago Tribune) McCain Joining Democrats to Offer Health Rights Bill Excerpt: "Senator John McCain, the maverick Republican who irritated many leaders of his own party in his quest for the presidency, will join Democrats this week in proposing legislation intended to break a three-year impasse over patients' rights." (New York Times; free registration required) Many States Tackled Big Health Issues in 2000 Excerpt: "Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association's annual 'State of the States' report reveals that the top item on most states' agendas in 2000 was expanding access to health insurance. Managed care reforms and regulation of health plans were also priorities, according to the analysis of state legislative activity related to healthcare." (Reuters via Excite! News) HMO Bill In Doubt After Bush Bid For Delay Excerpt: "Lawmakers will introduce legislation Tuesday to give Americans an unprecedented right to sue their health plans-- but they will do so without the help of its chief Republican sponsor after a private lobbying blitz by the Bush administration." (Reuters via Excite! News) Groups Criticize Patient Privacy Rules Excerpt: "A group of 39 health industry organizations is asking the federal government to postpone patient privacy rules written by the Clinton administration, arguing they will hinder those who need medicine quickly." (Associated Press, via Excite!) What HIPAA Means for Employers Excerpt: "Partly because of its name, and partly because of the media focus on the law’s impact on the health care industry, many employers have been lulled into a belief that HIPAA applies only to health care providers and insurers. Not so. In fact, the law applies to a broad range of employers whose businesses may have nothing to do with the provision of health care or health insurance." (Faegre & Benson LLP) Interesting Benefits Magazine Published in the UK: Journal of Pensions Management Excerpt: "And, not only is the journal guided by an International Editorial Board of lawyers, actuaries, economists, academics and pensions and properly researched and written by practicing experts in their fields, rather than journalists, it is untainted by advertising or advertorials (each article is independently reviewed by two peer reviewers and we reject more than we publish)." (Henry Stewart Publications) Budget Figures, Workload Data, Fiscal Year 2001 Priorities for PWBA Excerpt: "... the budget request for [enforcement and compliance] ... includes program enhancements for ... implementing a new program (the Rapid ERISA Action Compliance Team initiative) to protect the rights and benefits of plan participants when the plan sponsor faces severe financial hardship ... expanding PWBA's reporting compliance "help desk" function related to Form 5500 Report filings ... installation of an interactive toll-free line ... " (Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Labor) 2001 Fiscal Year Budget Request for the Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration Excerpt: "I am pleased to report ... that PWBA's return on the taxpayers' investment continues to be significant. In this regard, I'd like to tell you about just a few of PWBA's most recent accomplishments in helping to build a more secure workforce." (Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration, U.S. Department of Labor)
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