| BenefitsLink Welfare Plans Newsletter |   |
January 2, 2007
Sponsored by: Health Benefits Conference & Expo (HBCE)
(Click on company name or banner to learn more.)
| 16th Annual National Health Benefits Conference & Expo (HBCE) |
| 16th Annual Nat'l Health Benefits Conference & Expo - Jan. 25-26, Tampa
Title: The biggest cost problem facing American employers. Leading Employers & Best Practices from: Bank of America – IBM – State of MN – AOL – IAP World Services – Schneider Transportation - Univ. of Pittsburgh – MO State Univ – Perkins’ Restaurants – San Mateo Co. – HEB Retail – Martin Co. Schools - and many more. Actionable Advice: info@HBCE.com • 941-484-1430 • www.HBCE.com |
Employers Try to Bypass Health Care Middlemen
Excerpt: "A lot of the money that goes to health-care middlemen is well spent. It allows employers to combine their purchasing power for leverage with hospitals and drug makers. It harvests data to uncover which new procedures are valuable and which aren't. Middlemen offer health-care expertise to employers who don't have it and don't want to hire it. But a lot of the money goes more toward fattening middlemen's bottom lines than toward improving the quality or efficiency of . . . health care." (The Wall Street Journal Online)
Elder-Care Costs Deplete Savings of a Generation
Excerpt: "Adult children with the largest out-of-pocket expenses are those supervising care long distance, those who hire in-home help and those whose parents have too much money to qualify for government-subsidized Medicaid but not enough to pay for what could be a decade of frailty and dependence." (The New York Times; free registration required)
Low-Cost Job Perks Keep Workers Happy
Excerpt: "There are many ways a small business can improve morale, build loyalty and make employees feel warm and fuzzy about where they work without hurting the bottom line. And those low-cost perks can pay a business owner back many times over, said Amy Lyman, chairwoman of the board of the San Francisco-based Great Place to Work Institute." (Akron Beacon Journal)
Editorial: Unused Sick Time Payout Perks for State Employees Have to Go
Excerpt: "The clock is ticking on public employees' unused sick leave benefits in Wisconsin, and thank goodness for it. The bankable, incentive many public employees are able to rack up by simply not being sick or not burning their allotted sick days is, with every year, more akin to a martini lunch. It's out of touch and should be taboo." (thenorthwestern.com)
Employee Benefit Lends a Hand with Errands and Tasks
Excerpt: "Here's a switch: a boss who helps you cross off items on your to-do list rather than adding them. In January, Banner Health, the state's largest hospital system and second-largest employer, will roll out a program to help employees with chores such as finding a dog-sitter or plumber and making reservations to Disneyland." (The Arizona Republic via azcentral.com)
Overview: Final Rules on Health Plan Nondiscrimination and Wellness Programs (PDF)
2 pages. (Milliman)
For Better Health Care Delivery, Work Across the Lines of the System
Excerpt: "The American medical system is failing to deliver affordable health care because it is too fragmented and poorly regulated, and it therefore needs a major cross-industry consolidation, says Clayton Christensen, a professor at the Harvard Business School and author of such books as 'The Innovator's Dilemma' (1997) and 'The Innovator's Solution' (2003). Here are excerpts from a conversation . . . ." (The New York Times; free registration required)
Doctors Back New Approach on 2nd Opinion Before Treatment
Excerpt: "A good doctor won't be offended by a patient seeking a second opinion . . . . Nor will it hurt to postpone treatment a few weeks to get that review. 'A few weeks is very reasonable. Patients shouldn't feel pressured.'" (AP via The New York Times; free registration required)
Continuing Medical Ed Activity: Role of Pharma.ceuticals in Reducing Cardiometabolic Risk Factors
Excerpt: "This activity is presented by Benefit Design Institute and is sponsored by NAMCP and Managed Market Resources. [It] was held live at the Institute for Health and Productivity Management's Annual Conference on October 14, 2005 [and] is valid from December 22, 2006 to December 1, 2007. . . . This activity is designed for corporate medical directors, health plan medical directors, and occupational health professionals." (National Association of Managed Care Physicians)
Power Shift in Congress Revives Health Care System Debate
Excerpt: "The Medicare proposal [to negotiate lower drug prices] highlights the profound differences between Democrats and Republicans over the future of the nation's health care system, the proper role of government and the role of private markets in securing the best value for the huge sums spent on health care." (The New York Times; free registration required)
Millions Save Money on Medicare Program
Excerpt: "The Bush administration estimates that the coverage saves the average beneficiary about $1,200. But many in Washington, particularly Democratic lawmakers, say the savings could be greater if the government were allowed to negotiate with drug manufacturers concerning the cost of medicine rather than leaving that chore to the plans." (AP via The New York Times; free registration required)
Overview: Tax Bill with Mental Health Parity and HSA Provisions
Excerpt: "The new law extends the provisions of the Mental Health Parity Act contained in the Internal Revenue Code and ERISA from December 31, 2006 to the end of 2007 and includes a major overhaul of the contribution rules for health savings accounts (HSAs)." (Wolters Kluwer Law & Business)
Texas 'Any Willing Provider' Statute Held Inapplicable to Provider's Claims
Excerpt: "This issue appears rather complicated, but the solution is simple. The key 'any willing provider' Supreme Court case, Kentucky Association of Health Plans, Inc., v. Janie A. Miller, Commissioner, Kentucky Department of Insurance, raised a fundamental issue of whether States may regulate HMO's or insured plans by requiring that they allow any provider to contract with them on their terms for admission to their provider network. The answer: yes." (Health Plan Law blog by Attorney Roy F. Harmon III)
A Review of the Year 2006 in Health and Health Care Research
Excerpt: "In an annual review of RWJF-funded research and evaluations, David C. Colby, interim vice president of research and evaluation, highlights publications that have contributed to our knowledge of health and health care issues and informed policy discussions." (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation)
Government Agendas Include the Future of the Health Care System
Excerpt: "The new year brings vows of attention to the working poor and expanded health care in a 'mainstream' agenda according to Iowa Democrats. Democratic presidential contender John Edwards is quoted as saying that it is more important to invest in universal health care and lifting people out of poverty than to reduce the budget deficit. Not to be outdone, Republicans such as Charles Crist, the newly governor of Florida, vow to make health insurance more affordable." (Health Plan Law blog by Attorney Roy F. Harmon III)
Opinion: The Economic Case for a Single-Payer System Is Surprisingly Strong
Excerpt: "What is the most pressing problem facing the economy? A good case can be made for the developing health care crisis. Soaring costs, growing ranks of uninsured and a steady erosion of corporate health benefits add up to a giant drag on the nation's future prosperity. While the outlook seems scary, it doesn't have to be. There is a solution, proven effective for hundreds of millions of people: single-payer health insurance." (The New York Times; free registration required)
Sponsored by: ALM
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Links to Items on Executive Comp, Benefits in General
Editorial: Holding the Line on Accounting and Stock Options
Excerpt: "Fudging the grant date for stock options doesn't quite have the spotlight-grabbing immediacy of Enron's collapse, but it is still gaming the system at the expense of shareholders." (The New York Times; free registration required)
Greying Workers Wanted for Hire in an Aging Japan
Excerpt: "Japan revised laws this year to require companies to retain older staff, but many are extending work only to a favored few. The trend is a cause for concern, analysts say, not only because shunning older workers deprives companies of the same skills that powered Japan's rapid economic growth in the 1970s and 1980s, but because it deprives senior citizens of income." (Reuters via The Washington Post; free registration required)
Commentary: Staggering Public Pension Debt Must Be Paid
Excerpt: "The pension and retiree health benefits promised to state and local government workers are not necessary to recruitment, nor, except in the case of police, fire and other public safety jobs with considerable dangers, particularly justified." (Bruce Kesler via The Examiner)
Overview: IRS Rules for Electronic Plan Notices and Elections (PDF)
2 pages. Excerpt: "Complying with the IRS rules for electronic plan notices and elections includes: Determining if the final regulations present an opportunity to provide certain plan notices in a more efficient and cost-effective manner, [and,] For those plan sponsors that already provide electronic communications, determining whether any changes are necessary or desirable to comply with the regulations, and Coordinating any changes with system vendors." (The Segal Group, Inc.)
Spouse Absent for 18 Months Can Get Death Benefits
Excerpt: "The US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan granted summary judgment to a surviving spouse who claimed he was owed benefits from his deceased wife's benefit plans in spite of having been absent from the marriage for 18 months prior to her death." (PLANSPONSOR.com; free registration required)
Wisconsin Ban on G. ay Marriage Does not Stop Partner Benefits
Excerpt: "The Attorney General of Wisconsin has ruled that the state's ban on s. ame-sex marriage does not mean employers must stop providing domestic partner benefits to employees." (PLANSPONSOR.com; free registration required)
2006 Cost of Management Ratios (PDF)
24 pages. Excerpt: "[F]rederic W. Cook & Co. introduces its first research report on Cost of Management Ratios. The purpose of this report is to present a source for competitive data summarizing the annual cost of NEO total compensation as a percent of three key size criteria: market capitalization, revenue and net income." (Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc.)
Compensation Experts Offer Ways to Help Curb Executive Salaries
Excerpt: "Executive compensation issues are tricky; the devil is often deep in the footnotes of proxy statements, employment agreements and stock option plans. It will take a concerted effort by both investors and boards to effect real change. . . . Here are eight steps that compensation experts say might help rein in executive pay . . . ." (The New York Times; free registration required)
Public Employee Retiree Costs in California Could Hit $100 Billion
Excerpt: "Across California . . . government agencies have been . . . promising their workers several years, or even a lifetime, of free or subsidized health insurance after they retire, but putting not a penny aside each year to pay those costs when the bills inevitably come due." (Ventura County Star)
Section 420 Transfers by Multiemployer Plans
Excerpt: "A little-noted feature of the Pension Protection Act is its provision extending to multiemployer pension plans the opportunity to transfer 'excess' assets to fund retiree health benefits. Until now, only single employer pension plan sponsors were permitted to make such transfers." (Pension & Benefits Blog)
Bethlehem Steel's Salaried Retiree Coalition to End
Excerpt: "Bethlehem Steel's Retired Employees Benefits Coalition (REBCO), representing salaried retirees and their spouses, will voluntarily dissolve by December 31, according to the Baltimore Sun." (PLANSPONSOR.com; free registration required)
Overview: Google's New Transferable Stock Option Program (PDF)
4 pages. Excerpt: "The Transferable Stock Option program will impact all options granted since the Company's initial public offering as well as future awards. Unlike one-time transferable option programs at other companies (e.g., Microsoft1), the Google program is an ongoing auction with multiple financial institution participants." (Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc.)
NBER Working Paper Abstract: Lucky CEOs and Option Grants
Excerpt: "[The authors] study the relation between corporate governance and opportunistic timing of CEO option grants via backdating or otherwise. [Their] methodology focuses on how grant date prices rank within the price distribution of the grant month. During 1996-2005, about 12% of firms provided one or more lucky grant -- defined as grants given at the lowest price of the month -- due to opportunistic timing." (National Bureau of Economic Research; paid subscription or individual purchase required to retrieve full-text)
Stock Option Backdating and Springloading Consequences
Excerpt: "Stock option backdating and other prohibited forms of market timing can result in adverse tax, accounting and securities law consequences for both U.S. and Canadian organizations and their employees." (Employee Benefit News)
Newly Posted Events
2007 Mid-Winter Tour: Advanced IRAs: A seminar for serious IRA professionals
in Ohio on February 7, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services
2007 Mid-Winter Tour: Advanced IRAs: A seminar for serious IRA professionals
in Ohio on February 9, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services
2007 Mid-Winter Tour: Advanced IRAs: A seminar for serious IRA professionals
in Texas on February 14, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services
2007 Mid-Winter Tour: Advanced IRAs: A seminar for serious IRA professionals
in California on February 14, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services
2007 Mid-Winter Tour: Advanced IRAs: A seminar for serious IRA professionals
in Oklahoma on February 14, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services
2007 Mid-Winter Tour: Advanced IRAs: A seminar for serious IRA professionals
in Texas on February 16, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services
2007 Mid-Winter Tour: Advanced IRAs: A seminar for serious IRA professionals
in Oklahoma on February 16, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services
2007 Mid-Winter Tour: Advanced IRAs: A seminar for serious IRA professionals
in California on February 16, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services
2007 Mid-Winter Tour: IRA Essentials
in Ohio on February 6, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services
2007 Mid-Winter Tour: IRA Essentials
in Ohio on February 8, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services
2007 Mid-Winter Tour: IRA Essentials
in Texas on February 13, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services
2007 Mid-Winter Tour: IRA Essentials
in Oklahoma on February 13, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services
2007 Mid-Winter Tour: IRA Essentials
in California on February 13, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services
2007 Mid-Winter Tour: IRA Essentials
in Oklahoma on February 15, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services
2007 Mid-Winter Tour: IRA Essentials
in California on February 15, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services
2007 Mid-Winter Tour: IRA Essentials
in Texas on February 15, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services
2007 Web/Telephone Seminar: Advanced Distribution Issues and Plan Loans
Nationwide on February 1, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services
2007 Web/Telephone Seminar: Amending and Restating Qualified Plans for EGTRRA
Nationwide on February 20, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services
2007 Web/Telephone Seminar: Individual(k) Plans
Nationwide on February 22, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services
2007 Web/Telephone Seminar: Introduction to Qualified Retirement Plan Distributions
Nationwide on January 30, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services
2007 Web/Telephone Seminar: IRA Beneficiary Distributions
Nationwide on February 6, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services
2007 Web/Telephone Seminar: IRA Fundamentals for Frontline Personnel - Part I
Nationwide on February 13, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services
2007 Web/Telephone Seminar: IRA Fundamentals for Frontline Personnel - Part II
Nationwide on February 15, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services
2007 Web/Telephone Seminar: Withholding
Nationwide on February 8, 2007
presented by BISYS Retirement Services
Employee Benefits Agenda of the New Democratic Congress Teleweb
Nationwide on January 25, 2007
presented by International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans
Wellness Programs After the Final HIPAA Nondiscrimination Regs -- What's Allowed, What Isn't, and What Designs Work Best?
Nationwide on January 25, 2007
presented by Employee Benefits Institute of America Inc. (EBIA)
Newly Posted Press Releases
Two PPPC Employees Achieve QPA Credential
Preferred Pension Planning Corporation
Newly Posted or Renewed Job Openings
ERISA Consultant
for DailyAccess Corporation
in AL
401(k) Administrator
for West Pension Solutions, LLC
in MD
Retirement Plan Consultant
for MBG Retirement, Inc.
in TX
Pension Administrator
for Southern Pension Services
in FL
Handy Links:
- View Today's Active Message Threads
- Using the Web for Employee Benefits Research (hypertext article)
- Employee Benefits Library
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