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March 25, 2003 - 8,072 subscribers
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HIPAA Privacy Update: newly-released Security Standards Details on the newly-released Security Standards have been added to the HIPAA Privacy Training & Certification Program from HRcertification.com! This self-paced, online Program provides in-depth training for HIPAA Privacy requirements and its integration with COBRA and other applicable laws. This Program also qualifies for eight hours of PHR and SPHR re-certification credits. Please go to http://www.HRcertification.com for specifics on this and our other courses.
(Please visit our sponsors. We try to make sure their products and services will be of interest to you. Thanks! --Editor)
Bankruptcy Judge Rejects Request to Require Extension of Health Benefits to Bethlehem Steel Retirees
Excerpt: "Company-paid health benefits for 30,000 white-collar Bethlehem Steel retirees will end this month, after a bankruptcy judge Monday rejected a request to extend coverage through April." (AP via the New York Times; one-time registration required)
Overview: HIPAA Security Standards for Electronic Health Data (PDF)
4 pages. Excerpt: "Although these security standards directly apply only to health care providers, health plans, and health care clearinghouses, they will also affect employers as plan sponsors and vendors as 'business associates.' The security standards generally apply beginning April 21, 2005. However, small plans (i.e., annual receipts of $5 million or less) must comply by April 21, 2006." (Aon Consulting)
Healthcare Industry Prepares for HIPAA Privacy Rules
Excerpt: "Your privacy will get a boost next month thanks to new federal rules covering how your personal medical information can be handled. Hospitals, pharmacists, insurance companies, clergy and journalists will feel the effects of the regulations, which are part of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, a far-reaching piece of federal legislation passed in 1996." (The Charleston [W. Va.] Gazette)
Aetna Using Web to Offer Employers Added Service
Excerpt: "Called Simple Steps to a Healthier Life, the Web site tool incorporates information on disease prevention, condition education, behavior change programs and health promotion services into a Web-based product that employers can purchase as a component of their employee benefits, whether or not they are Aetna customers." (The Business Journal of Phoenix via bizjournals.com; one-time registration required)
Extra Benefits Being Used to Entice, Please Workers
Excerpt: "When employees are hired at Oklahoma City-based Kerr-McGee Corp., an on-site physician awaits to check their health status.... For 12 years the company has been offering its 4,500 worldwide employees free, extensive 'executive physicals' at on-site medical clinics." (The Oklahoman via NewsOK.com)
New Rules Expand Childcare Subsidy Benefit for Federal Government Employees
Excerpt: "Agencies that offer childcare subsidies to low-income employees can make advance payments directly to daycare centers, so that families don't have to pay up front, according to guidelines published Monday in the Federal Register." (GovExec.com)
Links to Full Text of Exposure Draft and Plain-Language Supplements for Recent GASB Statements
Target page includes links for 'Accounting and Financial Reporting by Employers for Postemployment Benefits Other Than Pensions' and for 'New--Financial Reporting for Postemployment Benefit Plans Other Than Pension Plans.' Press release (Feb. 20, 2003) is at http://www.gasb.org/news/nr022003.html (Governmental Accounting Standards Board)
2003 State Legislators' Guide to Health Insurance Solutions
Press release; includes link (at bottom of target page) to the guide. Excerpt: "How can states keep health insurance accessible and premiums affordable while expanding choice and availability? The State Legislators' Guide takes 'head-on' these tough issues, and many others, confronting the health insurance market and its consumers." (Council for Affordable Health Insurance and the American Legislative Exchange Council)
Clermont, Fla., Drug Outlet Obtains Cheaper Prescription Drugs from Canada
Excerpt: "Canada Drug Outlet is one of a growing number of businesses across the United States that help people struggling with prescription-drug costs to buy cheaper alternatives from Canada. From Orlando to The Villages to the Mall of America near Minneapolis, American entrepreneurs are fighting soaring drug costs and collecting a commission of their own off each sale of prescription drugs from across the Canadian border." (The Orlando Sentinel via NewsAlert.com)
Health Affairs Publishes Forum on Hospitals and Health Insurance
Articles include 'Hospital Tiers in Health Insurance: Balancing Consumer Choice with Financial Institutions,' 'Tiered Hospital Networks." (Health Affairs)
Forbes Magazine Examines Increasing Drug Costs
Excerpt: "The cover article of the March 31 Forbes examines rising prescription drug prices, a portion of which likely will be passed on to consumers, as private health plans and some state Medicaid programs adopt tiered pricing systems and preferred drugs lists." (KaiserNetwork.org)
Opinion: Controlling Drug Costs
Excerpt: "With a single blow, Congress could curb the expense of Medicare and Medicaid, give public and private employers a break on health insurance for workers and grant the uninsured greater access to life-changing medicines. All the lawmakers have to do is put the interests of their constituents ahead of pharmaceutical industry profits by tackling the issue of scandalously high drug prices." (The Baltimore Sun)
FDA Warns Pharmacy Mail Order Company That It Is Illegally Importing Drugs from Canada
Excerpt: "In its first enforcement action against reimportation of U.S. drugs from Canada, the FDA has sent a letter to Tulsa, Okla.-based Rx Depot warning the company that its practice of selling prescription drugs reimported from Canada violates U.S. law, the Wall Street Journal reports ..." (KaiserNetwork.org)
The Readability of HIPAA Privacy Notices (PDF)
8 pages. Excerpt: "Readability analyses of 31 HIPAA privacy notices (which are supposed to be written in plain language) found that they were actually written at a 2nd-3rd year college reading level. Patients will have a hard time understanding the notices because the writing style uses too many words per sentence, too many complicated sentences and too many complicated words. A one-page 'Summary of HIPAA Privacy Practices' may help readers deal with the information overload ..." (Mark Hochhauser, Ph.D.)
CMS Health Care Industry Market Update: the Managed Care Industry
Excerpt: "The CMS Health Care Industry Market Update is a series of reports on the health care industry. The latest issue covers managed care." (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services)
Links to Items on Executive Comp, Benefits in General
Now Online: the NASDAQ 100-- 2002 Board of Directors Profile and Compensation Report
Target page includes links to executive summary and full report. (Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc.)
Newly Posted or Renewed Job Openings
Defined Benefit Implementation Analysts
for Constantin Control Associates
in NJ
Sales Broker
for Kevin Smith and Associates
in GA
Sr. Benefits Specialist
for Apple Computer, Inc.
in CA
Director Project Management - REQ # 7386
for Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
in CA
Newly Posted Press Releases
(Post Yours!)
Benchmark Your Compensation and Benefits
(Culpepper and Associates, Inc.)
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