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December 12, 2001 - 6,712 subscribers
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Federal Judge Denies Request of Kaiser Permanente to Hold State HMO Regulator in Contempt
Excerpt: "Although [the judge] had ruled in August that federal law supersedes state law when it comes to those Medicare members, his ruling yesterday found that the regulator's actions did not warrant contempt charges." (The San Francisco Chronicle)
Market Seen Catching Up With MSA Concept
Excerpt: "With health insurance premiums going through the roof and employers looking for the back door, medical savings accounts (MSAs) are gaining renewed attention as an alternative finance mechanism." (BenefitNews.com)
Possible Extension of HIPAA EDI Compliance Deadline
December 11, 2001 issue. Excerpt: "Although both the House and Senate bills support a delay in EDI, there is no initiative underway in either body to revise any of the substantive requirements of HIPAA. Moreover, the detailed requirements of the House bill make it clear that the government is serious about proceeding with EDI." (The Segal Company)
District Court Erred In Finding That Complaint of "Back Pain" Was Not Evidence of Disability
A federal district court erred when it held that a beneficiary's complaint of recurrent back pain was 'subjective' and thus was insufficient evidence that the beneficiary was 'totally disabled.' This was the ruling of the Second Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Connors v. Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (No. 00-9288). (Spencernet)
Generation Rx: How Young People Use the Internet for Health Information
Excerpt: "New findings from a national survey of teens and young adults' experiences with and attitudes toward online health information were presented." (The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation)
Tax Risks Cloud Defined Contribution Health Plans
Excerpt: "Defined contribution health care with sponsor-funded employee spending accounts is proliferating, despite regulatory confusion regarding the taxability of funds that accumulate from year to year." (BenefitNews.com)
Enhanced Federal Health Coverage for Dependents of Reservists and National Guard Members Called Up
Excerpt: "The enhancement, in the form of a TRICARE demonstration project, attempts to make these families whole for health care during the potentially disruptive transition from employer-sponsored health care to health coverage under TRICARE. TRICARE is the federal government's health insurance program for the military. Reservists and National Guard members who are called to active duty for more than 30 days (or an indefinite period) are eligible for health care benefits under TRICARE Prime..." (The Segal Company)
Consumer Group Issues Revised Edition of California HMO "How-To" Guide
Excerpt: "Consumer Action, a national non-profit consumer education and advocacy group, has revised and reprinted its popular free multilingual guide to HMO coverage.... The newly revised version -- available in Chinese, English, Spanish and Vietnamese editions -- contains information about the independent external review (IER) process now provided by many HMOs and health plans." (Business Wire via Excite News)
IRS, DOL, PBGC Issue Regulatory Agendas
The Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Labor, and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation have issued their semiannual regulatory agendas. The agendas, all of which appeared in the December 3 Federal Register, set forth when proposed rules are scheduled to be issued and when final action is expected on proposed regulations. (Spencernet)
American Benefits Council Letter to Congress Suggests Priorities for Remainder of Session
Excerpt: "Today, the American Benefits Council submitted a series of recommendations to Congress regarding a range of employee benefits issues still pending before Congress. 'Members of Congress have much to accomplish within the next two weeks,' said Council President James A. Klein in the letter, 'and we urge you to keep the health of the American benefits system squarely in mind as you conclude the session.'" (American Benefits Council)
Newly Posted or Renewed Job Openings -
| Manager, Benefits Administration | for NYU Medical Center in NY |
Newly Posted Press Releases
| Pyramid Introduces PlanTransmit (tm): New Web-Based Tool for Efficient Data Receipt, Validation, and Conversion for Retirement Plan Providers (Pyramid Digital Solutions) |
| Survey Shows Employers Dedicated to Providing Viable Retirement Plan Options (BPS&M, LLC) |
Newly Posted Announcements of Promotions and New Personnel (Post Yours!)
| Christopher B. Valentine, CMFC (First Security Investments, Inc.) |
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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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