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August 21, 2003 - 8,445 subscribers
Today's sponsor: Thompson Publishing Group, Inc.
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“HIPAA: Electronic Standards – What Employers Need to Know” 8/28/03 * 2:00 p.m. ET The compliance date for electronic transactions and code sets is approaching! Many employers like you, still are uncertain what their group health plans have to do to meet the standards – how much you can rely on insurers, plan administrators and technology vendors, and how to maximize efficiency using the required technologies. Join us for this important audio conference, featuring two specialists in the field who will help you figure out what you need to do NOW to meet the October 16th deadline.
(Please visit our sponsors. We try to make sure their products and services will be of interest to you. Thanks! --Editor)
The Role of Consumer Knowledge of Insurance Benefits in the Demand for Preventative Health
Excerpt: "[W]e find that consumer knowledge has a substantial positive effect on the use of preventive services. Our findings suggest that strategies to educate the insured Medicare population about coverage of preventive services may have substantial social value." (Working paper by Stephen T. Parente, David Salkever and Joan DaVanzo, published by the National Bureau of Economic Research)
How Do HIPAA's Privacy Rules Apply to a Fully-Insured Group Health Plan?
Excerpt: "[I]f a group health plan provides health benefits only through an insurance contract and does not create, maintain, or receive protected health information (PHI) (or if only summary health information and enrollment/disenrollment information is received from the insurer, as discussed below), then many of the administrative burdens imposed by HIPAA's privacy rules will not apply to the plan or the plan sponsor." (EBIA Weekly (Question of the Week))
Abortion Coverage Under Automakers' Health Plans Is New Goal for United Auto Workers
Excerpt: "[T]he UAW clarified it sought coverage of elective or voluntary abortions. Currently, health care plans for UAW workers cover abortions in certain circumstances, such as where medically necessary or determined by a physician, company officials said. The union and company officials noted this demand, like numerous others made by the union, could fall by the wayside and never be part of the final contract." (Detroit Free Press)
U.S. Healthcare Administration Costs Twice That of Canada, Study Says
Excerpt: "Health care administration in the United States costs more than twice as much as in Canada, which has a government-run universal system, according to a study released yesterday." (The Boston Globe)
Opinion: Single Payer Follies, or, Let's Not Open the 'All You Can Eat' Healthcare Buffet
Excerpt: "The Socialized health care systems in Europe are nearly collapsing under the weight of citizens' expectations for free care and shortages of personnel and medical resources. An article in The New York Times recently shows where this all-you-can-eat health care buffet can lead." (The Galen Institute)
A Proposal for Health System Redesign: Part 4
Excerpt: "In the final installment of this series, HealthLeaders member Brad Stephan concludes his discussion on recommended operational solutions for the problematic issues of the uninsured, affordability and quality, with the goal of achieving universal allocation of a minimum set of evidence-based, quality-driven healthcare services for all citizens." (HealthLeaders)
Links to Items on Executive Comp, Benefits in General
Comparison of NYSE and NASDAQ Shareholder Approval Requirements for Equity Compensation Plans
Excerpt: "The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved the NYSE and NASDAQ proposals to change their respective requirements for the shareholder approval of equity compensation plans. The requirements became effective June 30, 2003, with a few exceptions or transitions for pre-existing plans. The exchanges' rules are very similar, as the following comparison shows." (Watson Wyatt)
Newly Posted or Renewed Job Openings
ERISA Associate
for Trucker Huss, PC
in CA
DC Administrator
for Pension Resources, Inc.
in PA
Retirement Services Account Manager
for SunTrust
in VA
Benefits and Compensation Manager
for Large international law firm in Cleveland, Ohio
in OH
Trade Specialist
for BISYS Retirement Services
in PA
New Business/Conversion Specialist
for BISYS Retirement Services
in PA
Actuarial Student
for Qualified Benefits Consultants, Inc.
in MO
Newly Posted Conferences
(Post Yours!)
Fundamentals of Health & Welfare Plans
in MA
September 25, 2003
Greater Boston Chapter ISCEBS
Preventing Workplace Violence: Best Practices and Implications for Employers
in ALL STATES
September 15, 2003
Thompson Publishing Group, Inc.
401(k) Plans
in MD
November 4, 2003
Employee Benefits Institute of America LLC (EBIA)
401(k) Plans
in MN
November 11, 2003
Employee Benefits Institute of America LLC (EBIA)
New EEOC Regulations Would Clarify the Application of ADEA to Retiree Health Benefits
in ALL STATES
September 4, 2003
ABA Center for Continuing Legal Education
Newly Posted Press Releases
(Post Yours!)
Sales and Employment Projections Improve
(eePulse, Inc.)
Growing Numbers of Employers Are Adopting Alternative Health Care Cost Management Strategies
(International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans)
Handy Links:
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- Employee Benefits Library
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