| BenefitsLink Welfare Plans Newsletter |   |
November 22, 2006
Today's sponsor: Employee Benefits Institute of America Inc. (EBIA)
(Click on company name or banner to learn more.)
| Record Retention Requirements for Health & Welfare Plans |
| In Record Retention Requirements for Health & Welfare Plans, EBIA's experts analyze record retention requirements for ERISA health and welfare plans as well as other employer-provided health and welfare benefits not subject to ERISA. You'll find answers to your record retention questions for many benefits including cafeteria plans, DCAPs, qualified transportation plans, HSAs, group health plans (like major medical, dental, health FSAs, and HRAs), and other ERISA benefits.
Available now at the introductory price of $195. Please enter priority code BL195. For more information and to order, visit http://www.ebia.com/OtherOfferings/Books/RecordRetention. |
| (Please visit our sponsors. We try to make sure their products and services will be of interest to you. Thanks! --Editor) |
New Lawmakers Are Afforded Best U.S. Health Plan -- Federal Employees Health Benefits Program
Excerpt: "The FEHBP is a rarity today. A cradle-to-grave collection of health plans that can't drop you or turn you down because of your age, retirement status, health, bad habits or pre-existing medical conditions. And the government pays a little more than 70 cents of each premium dollar." (The Washington Times)
Elk Grove, California, Executives Give Back Recently Granted Benefit
Excerpt: "Elk Grove's top two executives, facing an outpouring of public anger over a council vote to grant them lifetime medical coverage, said Monday that they will give up the benefit." (The Sacramento Bee; free registration required)
Health Insurer-Hospital Negotiations Getting Nastier
Excerpt: "Experts say the spate of acrimonious, public disputes signals that years of rising health-care costs are taking a toll on all those involved. Hospitals accuse health plans of skimping on payments to boost their earnings, while health plans say they are under pressure from clients to lower costs, and that providers balk at tying payment to performance." (AP via The Arizona Daily Star)
Proponents of Health Information Technology Legislation Find Hope in Democrats
Excerpt: "Overall, Democrats will focus on federal funding to jumpstart transformation, and they will also push privacy issues and the implementation of personal health records, Roberts predicted. In addition, Congress will hold more oversight hearings to ask hard questions on HIT topics and work toward addressing what can done . . . ." (Healthcare IT News)
Computer Program Used To Define Basic Coverage
Excerpt: "The computer-based program called CHAT - Choosing Healthplans All Together - was developed by the University of Michigan and the NIH. The Just Coverage version of the program focuses on health care needs, such as chronic illness and episodic care." (California HealthCare Foundation)
Hewitt Federal Legislation Quick Guide Updated November 21, 2006, for Health and Welfare Plans (PDF)
5 pages. This Federal Legislation Quick Guide provides short updates on federal legislation that is currently under active consideration by Congress or has recently been enacted into law regarding health and welfare benefit plans. (Hewitt Associates)
Democrats Likely To Seek Health Insurance Expansion Next Year
Excerpt: "Democratic lawmakers next year likely will seek to 'close the gap' between those with health insurance and those who lack coverage, as well as reduce inequalities between higher- and lower-income U.S. residents, the Wall Street Journal reports." (Kaiser Family Foundation)
Links to Items on Executive Comp, Benefits in General
Video: As Americans Live Longer, & Caregivers Dwindle, Frontline Explores What It Means to Grow Old
Excerpt: "[The program includes e]xtended interviews with geriatricians, a nurse, a general practitioner, a bioethicist and elderly people and family members on the hopes and challenges of aging; Profiles of individuals and families featured in the program and the physical and emotional burdens they've experienced over the years -- even decades; An interactive map featuring the demographics of America's elderly; the comparative costs of nursing homes, assisted living and home care . . . ." (FRONTLINE via PBS)
Alaskan House Passes Legislation Calling for Advisory Vote on Same-Sex Benefits
Excerpt: "Before adjourning on Friday, the House passed House Bill 4001 which prohibits the commissioner of administration from adopting or implementing regulations that grant or extend employment-related benefits to same-sex partners of state employees and members of the state retirement systems unless expressly authorized by statute. The House also passed House Bill 4002 which calls for a statewide advisory vote." (Stories in the News)
Hewitt Federal Legislation Quick Guide for November 21, 2006, on Human Resources & Employment Law (PDF)
7 pages. This Federal Legislation Quick Guide provides short updates on federal legislation that is currently under active consideration by Congress or has recently been enacted into law regarding human resources and employment law. (Hewitt Associates)
Newly Posted or Renewed Job Openings
Team Leader, Regional Service Team
for Standard Insurance Company
in OR
Benefits Specialist
for CPI Corp
in MO
Defined Contribution Analyst
for The Paragon Consulting Group, Inc.
in CA
Client Account Manager
for WageWorks Inc.
in AZ, CA
Director of Network Development
for Great-West Corporate
in IN
Employee Benefits Attorney
for Hershner Hunter, LLP
in OR
Handy Links:
- View Today's Active Message Threads
- Using the Web for Employee Benefits Research (hypertext article)
- Employee Benefits Library
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