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May 5, 2003 - 8,183 subscribers
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DOL Grants Final Exemption for Funding Employee Benefits Through Captive Insurance Company
Excerpt: "The restrictions of section 406(a) and (b) of ERISA shall not apply to the reinsurance of risks and the receipt of premiums therefrom by Agrinational Insurance Company in connection with insurance contracts sold by Minnesota Life Insurance Company ... to provide basic and supplemental life insurance benefits to participants in Archer's programs to provide such benefits to its employees, provided the following conditions are met..." (U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration)
Some Physicians Now Charging Retainer Fees
Excerpt: "When he opened the letter from his doctor, Stuart Roos was shocked. Unless Roos paid $25 a month, the letter said, his ... doctor ... wouldn't continue providing his care.... Many other patients at Seattle's Polyclinic who got such letters decided to pay. They like their doctors and, like many health-care experts, say the trend toward retainers is inevitable." (The Seattle Times)
Association Health Plan Proposal Dividing Business Community
Excerpt: "The business community has split over whether to back congressional legislation authorizing association health plans, even though AHPs might make health insurance more affordable for thousands of small businesses in Washington [state].... Outspoken in their opposition to the measure ... are the Association of Washington Business and Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce." (Puget Sound Business Journal)
Opinion: Supreme Court is Thinking Clearly About Reining In HMOs
Excerpt: "Thanks to the U.S. Supreme Court, health plans can no longer hide from state regulation. That could give physicians and patients greater strength in holding HMOs accountable for their decisions." (American Medical News)
Employers Should Study College Savings Plans
Excerpt: "Employers are being wooed by investment management firms and payroll administrative providers to set up Code Section 529 college savings plans as part of their employee benefits. What should employers consider in deciding whether to adopt such a program?" (Thompson Publishing Company)
Text of Comments to Government Accounting Standards Board from NCTR, Others (PDF)
7 pages; April 30, 2003. Excerpt: "We are writing to express our deep concern that the proposed accounting changes will unduly jeopardize essential benefits for millions of governmental employees and retirees. Our comments below center on basic retiree health care benefits, as they are the most expensive and most important benefit covered by the OPEB Exposure Draft." (National Council on Teacher Retirement)
Colorado Senate Passes Amended Bill To Allow Basic Health Plan Option
Excerpt: "The Colorado Senate on April 29 voted 19-16 to pass an amended version of a state House-passed bill (HB 1164) that would allow insurance companies to offer 'basic' health plans, the Denver Post reports ..." (KaiserNetwork.org)
Hawaii Legislature Approves Long-Term Care Bill
Excerpt: "The Hawaii Legislature on April 29 approved a bill (SB 1088) that would institute a $10 monthly income tax to finance a state-run long-term care program, although Gov. Linda Lingle (R) is expected to veto the measure, the Honolulu Advertiser reports." (KaiserNetwork.org)
Another Question is Answered in the Eldercare: the Work/Life Issue Q&A Column
A friend had a stroke a couple of months ago, shortly after his 40th birthday. He is making progress in his recovery, but his wife is bearing most of the burden. They have two young children. Do you know of any services provided for a younger age group? (BenefitsLink.com)
Links to Items on Executive Comp, Benefits in General
Case Challenges Employees' Waivers of Right to Sue
Excerpt: "Can employers force workers to waive their right to bring employment-related civil rights suits and to accept arbitration instead? About 8 percent of American workers are bound by arbitration agreements, and the number is climbing because employers view arbitration as less expensive and cumbersome than going to court." (New York Times; one-time registration required)
Opinion: Stiffing Workers, Not Big Shots-- How American
Excerpt: "Just as American's three unions narrowly agreed to $1.8-billion annual concessions, the money-losing company revealed that last fall it had secretly approved millions of dollars in special bonuses and a bankruptcy-proof retirement plan for its top executives." (Newsday.com)
Link to April 2003 Issue of Milliman Global Employee Benefits
Articles include India: Retirement Benefits in India; France: Future of French Pension Funds and Company Savings Plans; Denmark: New Danish Pension Regulations. (Milliman Global)
Newly Posted or Renewed Job Openings
Pension Administrators
for Alliance Benefit Group of Illinois, Inc.
in IL
Employee Benefits Customer Service Representative
for Great West Life & Annuity
in MA
Account Manager
for Primary Consulting, Inc.
in ALL STATES
Senior Associate Health & Welfare Consultant
for Buck Consultants, Inc.
in GA
Newly Posted Press Releases
(Post Yours!)
401(k) Participants Dissatisfied With Providers
(RG Wuelfing & Associates)
Still River Introduces Education Funding Plus Software
(Still River Retirement Planning Software, Inc.)
McKay Hochman Offers "Introduction To Cross Testing" E-Seminar
(McKay Hochman Co., Inc.)
Handy Links:
- View Today's Active Message Threads
- Search BenefitsLink
- Using the Web for Employee Benefits Research
- Employee Benefits Library
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