| BenefitsLink Welfare Plans Newsletter |   |
February 13, 2007
Sponsored by: Benefit Software Inc.
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| Do your employees know the value of their employer paid benefits? |
| Chances are they don’t. We can help.
Benefit Software has over 25 years of experience helping thousands of employers communicate the full value of their benefits. From traditional personalized printed statements to secure 24/7 employee benefits communication portals, we have the right solution for your organization. Email sales@bsiweb.com or call 800-533-1388 to request free samples. |
Consumer-Driven Health Care: Overcoming Employee Inertia Through Full Replacement
Excerpt: "Despite [the] fairly rapid rate of employer adoption, employees have proven less eager to accept CDHPs, with enrollment typically falling within 10 to 25 percent when offered as an option. To overcome employee inertia, a few organizations have implemented 'full replacement' of traditional managed care plans with CDHP." (The Segal Group, Inc.)
Bush Budget Plan Would Boost HSAs
Excerpt: "Health savings accounts would be linked to health insurance plans other than those with big deductibles, easing lower-income employees' concerns about being exposed to large medical bills." (Workforce Management; free registration required)
Promises of Coverage to Employees - What Happens When the Coverage Falls Through?
Excerpt: "When an employer makes a commitment to provide long term disability benefits to employees, the employer has typically relied upon assumptions of insurance coverage for claims under the plan. In Hopper v. Standard Ins. Co., Slip Copy, 2007 WL 433366 (D.N.H.) (February 07, 2007), the court addressed the consequences of a failure in coverage following employer's assurances of plan eligibility to an employee who had a serious medical condition." (Health Plan Law blog by Attorney Roy F. Harmon III)
Porter Wright Comments Submitted on FMLA (PDF)
10 pages. Excerpt: "The Department of Labor has asked for comments from employers, employee groups, and the general public on its Family and Medical Leave Act regulations. Because of the importance of this request to many of the employers we represent, our firm collected feedback from several clients regarding areas they would like to see reformed. Based on that feedback, our firm submitted . . . comments to the Department of Labor on February 7, 2007." (Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP)
Discussion: Connections Between Academe & Industry Are Keys to Progress in Health Care Technology
9 pages. Excerpt: "In this interview, a representative of academe (E. James Potchen) and one from industry (Bill Clarke) discuss the ways in which their interests intersect for the good of U.S. patients. The focus here is on imaging, which shows great promise in transforming medical treatment from invasive practices involving hospital stays to imaging procedures that can be performed easily and safely on outpatients." (Health Affairs)
New Bush Plan for Health Premiums Could Cut Your Taxes
Excerpt: "President Bush has proposed a profound change in the way most Americans acquire health insurance, and if he's successful, here's what's in store: An estimated eight out of 10 workers will receive a tax reduction, and the other two will see a tax increase. Access to health care will improve for millions more taxpayers. The self-employed will find it easier and cheaper to buy the same kind of health insurance that employed workers enjoy." (Chicago Sun-Times)
Issue in Brief: What Happens to Health Benefits After Retirement? (PDF)
9 pages. Excerpt: "This brief examines the availability and cost of health insurance coverage at ages 55 to 64 and changes in coverage after retirement." (Center for Retirement Research at Boston College)
Insurers Back Incentives for Participating in Wellness Efforts
Excerpt: "Del. Dan K. Morhaim, a Baltimore County Democrat, is sponsoring the [Maryland] legislation. The bill would permit 'reasonable' incentives for participation in health promotion programs, but not for actual results. So incentives could be given for enrollment in weight management classes, but couldn't be contingent on actual weight loss." (The Baltimore Sun; free registration required)
Insurers Re-Bid to Meet Massachusetts Minimum-Coverage Requirements
Excerpt: "Massachusetts' Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority is asking health plans to resubmit bids for the minimum creditability coverage products that are part of the state's universal health coverage mandate." (MANAGED CARE WEEK via AISHealth.com)
Text: Mental Health Parity Act of 2007 (PDF)
19 pages. Excerpt: "" (U.S. Congress via American Benefits Council)
Summary: Mental Health Parity Act of 2007 (PDF)
Excerpt: "This compromise legislation reflects more than a year of discussions among business, insurance, and mental health organizations. . . . The bill does not mandate group health plans provide any mental health coverage." (U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee via American Benefits Council)
Council Letter to Senate HELP Committee Regarding Mental Health Parity Legislation (PDF)
2 pages. Excerpt: "The Senate Health Education Labor and Pensions Committee will soon consider the bipartisan Paul Wellstone Mental Health Parity Act of 2007. When it does so, the American Benefits Council . . . urges that the Committee approve this legislation without further amendment." (American Benefits Council)
Preliminary Summary of the Draft Senate Mental Health Parity Bill (PDF)
2 pages. (American Benefits Council)
The States and U.S. at Odds on Aid for Uninsured
Excerpt: "In the absence of federal action, governors and state legislators around the country are transforming the nation's health care system, putting affordable health insurance within reach of millions of Americans in hopes of reversing the steady rise in the number of uninsured, now close to 47 million." (The New York Times; free registration required)
Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report Highlights Health Issues in State of the State Addresses
Excerpt: "The [target page] highlights health issues mentioned in governors' recent state of the state addresses." (Kaiser Family Foundation)
Sponsored by: Health and Welfare Plan Management for Mid-Sized Employers Conference
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| An Annual Check-Up for your Health Care Plan |
| Is your health care plan in shape? It may be time for a check-up. Plan sponsors are experiencing a myriad of cost vs. quality symptoms and conventional treatment is falling short of providing the cure -- quality health care at an affordable price. Treatments vary, and there are a number of strategies to consider. Which features are right for your plan? Find out at the Health and Welfare Plan Management for Mid-Sized Employers, March 25–28, in Orlando, Florida. This event can help your health care plan get back in shape! |
| (Please visit our sponsors. We try to make sure their products and services will be of interest to you. Thanks! --Editor) |
Links to Items on Executive Comp, Benefits in General
Overview: Reporting Requirements for Incentive Stock Options and Employee Stock Purchase Plans (PDF)
2 pages. Excerpt: "The Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 that was signed into law late last year made a change in the reporting requirements for stock transferred pursuant to an incentive stock option ('ISO') or under an employee stock purchase plan ('ESPP')." (Powell Goldstein LLP)
Your Retirement: Understanding Your Resources and How Best to Use Them (PDF)
32 pages. Excerpt: "Finding money to set aside for retirement can be a big challenge. Once you have money put away, you want to learn how to make the most of it. This booklet is intended to help you understand the things you need to consider, and how to avoid pitfalls as you transition to retirement status, however you define it." (The Women's Institute for a Secure Retirement)
Newly Posted Events
401(k) Testing Techniques - 6 Cities Added
Nationwide on February 21, 2007
presented by SunGard Relius
Cafeteria Plan Election Changes -- When to Say “Yes” and When to Say “No”
Nationwide on February 8, 2007
presented by Employee Benefits Institute of America Inc. (EBIA)
Newly Posted Press Releases
Fight Against Tobacco Addiction Reached "Tipping Point" In The U.S. During 2006, Reports Free & Clear
Free & Clear
Newly Posted or Renewed Job Openings
Pension Benefit Advisor
for The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America
in NY
Client Support Manager
for Buck Consultant An ACS Company
in AZ
Senior Compensation Analyst - Arlington, VA
for Watson Wyatt Worldwide
in VA
401(k)/DC Administrator (all levels of experience)
for TPA in Temecula
in CA
Assistant Administrator (Retirement Plan Administration)
for Qualified Benefits a BenefitStreet company
in CA
Employee Benefits Attorney
for Special Counsel
in TX
Retirement Program Manager
for Publix Super Markets, Inc.
in FL
Software Application Developer
for Buck Consultant An ACS Company
in AZ
Handy Links:
- View Today's Active Message Threads
- Using the Web for Employee Benefits Research (hypertext article)
- Employee Benefits Library
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