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June 15, 2004 - 8899 subscribers
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Differences Among HRAs, HSAs and FSAs-- Beyond the Basics
Excerpt: "To be presented at the American Health Lawyers Association Annual Meeting, New York, NY, June 30, 2004. [The] chart looks at how a number of laws apply to the three types of arrangements for reimbursing health expenses and how the differences impact the choice of the arrangement and plan design." (Attorneys Greta Cowart of Haynes & Boone LLP and T. David Cowart of Jenkens & Gilchrist)

More Health Plans Covering Birth Control Costs
Excerpt: "In a comprehensive study to be released [Tuesday, June 15], the Alan Guttmacher Institute found that 86 percent of employer-provided health plans covered a full range of contraceptive choices in 2002, compared with 28 percent in a parallel 1993 study." (Washington Post; one-time registration required)

Employee Opposition to Cost-Shifting Grows
Excerpt: "Most U.S. employers have increased employee health care contributions or reduced benefits in an effort to reduce their costs, but employees are becoming increasingly resistant to cost-shifting efforts, a Towers Perrin survey found." (Business Insurance)

Disabled Workers Contribute Millions to Bottom Line at IBM
Excerpt: "At IBM, disabled workers contribute millions to the bottom line, and provide a crucial point of view for a company that makes and sells technology for people with disabilities. 'We consider diversity strategic to our organization,' says Jim Sinocchi, director of diversity communications or IBM, who is a paraplegic. 'We don't hire people who are disabled just because it's a nice thing to do. We do it because it's the right thing to do from a business standpoint.'" (Workforce.com)

Plan Sponsors Are Able To Modify COBRA Notices To Address Effect of MSP Law
Health plan sponsors may want to modify the Department of Labor's model COBRA notices issued in the DOL's final regulations to clarify the plan's position with regard to the interplay of the Medicare secondary payer (MSP) law and the length of COBRA continuation of coverage, a staffer at the DOL's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) told Spencer Benefits Reports. (Spencer Benefits Reports)

Links to Items on Executive Comp, Benefits in General

Rev. Rul. 2004-65: Significant Reduction In Retiree Health Coverage During Cost Maintenance Period (PDF)
3 pages. Excerpt: "Issue: Has an employer reduced retiree health coverage, within the meaning of ยง 420(c)(3)(E) of the Internal Revenue Code, if an individual who has coverage for retiree health benefits ('covered individual') accepts an offer from the employer to waive such coverage in exchange for enhanced pension benefits?" (Internal Revenue Service)

Newly Posted Events

Employee Benefits Security Administration Compliance Update
in Massachusetts on August 5, 2004
presented by International Society of CEBS - Greater Boston Chapter

Evaluating Proposals to Expand Health Insurance
Nationwide on June 14, 2004
presented by Kaiser Family Foundation
Newly Posted Press Releases

Treasury and IRS Withdraw Proposed Cash Balance Regulations
(Internal Revenue Service (IRS))
Newly Posted or Renewed Job Openings
Post a Help Wanted Ad

Oracle Database Analyst
for Pension Specialists, Inc.
in CA

Retirement Services District Manager (Sales) St. Louis
for ADP Retirement Services
in MO

Technician, Settlements Department
for Transamerica
in CA

Team Manager - Client Services
for BISYS Retirement Services
in PA

Tax Manager-Employee Benefits Tax Services
for Deloitte-Cleveland
in OH

Benefits Administrator
for WT Benefits, L.L.C.
in TX

Pension Administrator
for Block Consulting Actuaries, Inc.
in CA

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