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May 13, 2003 - 8,202 subscribers
Today's sponsor: Thompson Publishing Group, Inc.
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DOL Proposes Changes to 'White-Collar' Exemption Rules These changes could affect over 109.5 million employees and 6.5 million workplaces. Stay ahead of the curve and find out how these changes will affect you ... get your copy of Thompson Publishing Group's Special Report: What Employers Need to Know About Proposed Changes to DOL's White-Collar Exemption Rules. Click above for more information.
(Please visit our sponsors. We try to make sure their products and services will be of interest to you. Thanks! --Editor)
Newspapers Feature Employer-Based Health Coverage Issue
Excerpt: "The Wall Street Journal on May 12 examines the increased number of U.S. steel companies that have filed for bankruptcy, which has caused a number of retired workers to lose their health benefits." (KaiserNetwork.org)
Pharmaceutical Companies Might Cooperate on Cancer Drug Development
Excerpt: "Pharmaceutical companies are beginning to contemplate new collaborative efforts to lower the cost and speed the development of drugs for cancer, according to executives involved in the effort." (New York Times; one-time registration required)
On Campaign Trail, Rep. Kucinich Details Plans for Single-Payer Health
Excerpt: "Presidential candidate Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) on May 10 announced a proposal for a government-run, single-payer health system that would cover all Americans by 2013 and altogether eliminate the role of private health insurers, the Washington Post reports." (KaiserNetwork.org)
It's the Prices, Stupid: Why Healthcare in the United States Is So Different From Other Countries (PDF)
Excerpt: "The data show that the United States spends more on health care than any other country. However, on most measures of health services use, the United States is below the OECD median. These facts suggest that the difference in spending is caused mostly by higher prices for health care goods and services in the United States." (Health Affairs)
New Study Finds 60 Million Uninsured During a Year
Excerpt: " Nearly 60 million people lack health insurance at some point in the year, the Congressional Budget Office said today, adding that official estimates fail to distinguish between people who lack coverage for a few months and those who are uninsured for a full year or more." (New York Times; one-time registration required)
Another Question is Answered in the HIPAA Privacy Q&A Column
A self-funded employer recently decided to outsource all of its information technology functions. The IT outsourcing organization asked for a report of the deductibles and out-of-pocket amounts paid by plan participants to date in 2003, so that those amounts can be carried over to the new system. Must the plan sponsor obtain authorizations from each employee before releasing this information? Is a separate authorization required from each spouse and adult dependent, too? (BenefitsLink.com)
Another Question is Answered in the HIPAA Privacy Q&A Column
If an employee is required to submit an excuse for a return to work, is this action governed by HIPAA? If so, how can employers ensure that this policy can be adhered to? (BenefitsLink.com)
Another Question is Answered in the HIPAA Privacy Q&A Column
Is information on whether an employee is enrolled in a self-insured group health plan PHI? Does the plan need to account for disclosures of that information when the disclosure is made under a court order? Must the plan refuse to disclose that information when inquiries come from court staff? (BenefitsLink.com)
Links to Items on Executive Comp, Benefits in General
Profile: Ann Combs, Assistant Secretary of EBSA
Excerpt: "As are many plan sponsors, Combs is concerned about health care. 'We're at a crossroads,' she says, 'and the issue is how do we keep a vibrant private system in place and engaged.'" (PLANSPONSOR.com; one-time registration required)
Newly Posted or Renewed Job Openings
Trustmark/SRT Senior Administrator
for Alliance Benefit Group of New England
in NH
Plan Administrator/Manager
for National recruiting firm.
in ALL STATES
Retirement Plans Manager
for Exult, Inc.
in NC
Pension Plan Administrator
for Alliance Benefit Group of New England
in NH
Defined Benefit Pension Plan Consultant
for Streelman Richards & Company - Search and Recruiting
in TX
Pension Plan Coordinator - San Mateo
for Transamerica - The Winning Organization
in CA
Retirement Services Account Manager 2
for SunTrust
in DC
Compliance Analyst
for T. Rowe Price
in MD
Client Services Specialist
for Expertplan, Inc.
in NJ
Newly Posted Conferences
(Post Yours!)
Dealing with Fiduciary Responsibility in 401(k) Plans
in
May 22, 2003
Clark Consulting, formerly Clark/Bardes Consulting
Summer School
in IL
2 June - 22 August 2003
The John Marshall Law School Center for Tax Law & Employee Benefits
Newly Posted Press Releases
(Post Yours!)
Most High-Tech Companies Provide Group Life and AD&D Insurance
(Culpepper and Associates, 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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Editor and Publisher: David Rhett Baker, J.D.
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