| The BenefitsLink Newsletter - Welfare Plans Edition |  |
October 19, 2001 - 6,428 subscribers
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IFEBP Announces Winners of Creative Excellence in Benefits Awards
Excerpt: "Winners are Definity Health for their consumer-driven health benefit and Sageo, Hewitt's benefit delivery system that capitalizes on the Internet. In addition, two organizations received an honorable mention-- Rosen Hotels & Resorts Family Outreach Center and United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776 and Participating Employer Health and Welfare Fund." (International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans)
Employers Can Catch Cold From Ignoring FMLA
Excerpt: "In 1995, the Department of Labor issued an advisory opinion stating that the fact that an individual was treated two or more times by a physician and missed at least three days of work did not convert a minor illness, such as the common cold, into a serious health condition, absent complications.... The appeals court, in this case, however, had no trouble finding in favor of [the plaintiff]." (Nixon Peabody LLP)
Analysis: Rules for Applying Deemed Substantiation Methods to Travel Expenses
Excerpt: "The IRS has updated the rules for when lodging, meals, and incidental expenses incurred while traveling away from home will be deemed substantiated when the employee receives a per diem allowance." (Practitioners Publishing Company)
MSA Pilot Brings Coverage to the Uninsured
Excerpt: "The Internal Revenue Service estimates that nearly half (42%) of the tax returns reporting contributions to medical savings accounts (MSAs) last year came from people who previously lacked health insurance coverage." (PLANSPONSOR.com; free registration required)
Analysis: Military Duty Protected Under USERRA (PDF)
2 pages. Includes discussion of USERRA's impact on 401(k) plan participants, health & welfare plan participants and employer stock option holders. (Jenkens & Gilchrist)
When the National Guard Calls Up an Employee
Excerpt: "Companies face two major issues when employees are called up. First, how to replace them or handle their responsibilities. And second, what to do about salary and benefits-- should you as an owner continue paying reservists or guard members or provide their families with health insurance?" (Associated Press via Excite News)
Newly Posted or Renewed Job Openings (Post Yours!)
| Pension Investigator | for U.S. Department Of Labor - Pension And Welfare Benefits Administration in IL |
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Copyright 2001 BenefitsLink.com, Inc., but you may freely distribute this email newsletter in whole. This newsletter is edited by David Rhett Baker, J.D.
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