| BenefitsLink Welfare Plans Newsletter |   |
March 27, 2007
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Texas State Bills Resist U.S. Retiree Medical Cost Accounting Mandate
Excerpt: "As some state officials try to defy a new federal requirement that will force local and state governments to disclose billions of dollars of future debt, they are hitting roadblocks." (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)
Connector Emergency Rule Implementing Cafeteria Plan Requirement under Mass. Health Care Reform Act
Excerpt: "The Connector issued the cafeteria plan regulation in emergency form to give it the force of law. This will allow employers to get their compliance efforts underway, secure in the knowledge that they are operating under reliable guidance." (Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C.)
Overview: CMS Issues Updated Guidance on Disclosure Notices to Part D Eligible Individuals
Excerpt: "EBIA Comment: Many employers will welcome the expansion of the permitted delivery methods to incorporate the DOL's electronic disclosure requirements, which may, in some cases, be more user-friendly than CMS's previous requirements. However, the February 2007 guidance also means that there will be more work to do." (Employee Benefits Institute of America Inc.)
Manager's Amendment to Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2007, H.R. 493 (PDF)
7 pages. (American Benefits Council)
House Committee Approves Genetic Anti-Discrimination Bill
Excerpt: "The House Energy and Commerce Committee on Thursday by voice vote approved legislation (HR 493) that would ban discrimination based on the results of genetic tests, CQ Today reports (Armstrong, CQ Today, 3/23). The legislation would prohibit group health plans from collecting genetic information and from requesting, requiring or purchasing such information for insurance underwriting." (Kaiser Family Foundation)
Heart Attack Study Casts Doubt on Routine Use of Angioplasty
Excerpt: "Propping open clogged arteries with a tiny wire-mesh tube called a stent is no better at reducing the risk of heart attack or death in patients with stable heart disease than treatment with medications, according to a large new study that challenges routine use of a procedure that rapidly became standard medical practice." (The Washington Post; free registration required)
Spotlight on the Towers Perrin 2007 Health Care Cost Survey
Excerpt: "Now in its 18th consecutive year, the 2007 Health Care Cost Survey shows strong contrasts between companies with high and low costs. Notably, organizations with lower costs show a deep commitment to managing their programs in comprehensive, systematic ways that benefit both the company and employees -- a commitment to building a 'culture of health.'" (Towers Perrin)
Price of Michigan Teachers' Health Benefits Soars
Excerpt: "Sen. Wayne Kuipers, R-Holland, chair of the Senate Education Committee, said last week he hopes to unveil legislation this spring to reduce health care costs for school and other public employees. That may include allowing districts to form insurance pools that would include cities or other governments. 'The larger the pools, the better the price,' Kuipers said." (Detroit Free Press)
Report: Obese Workers Cost Billions in Texas
Excerpt: "Obese workers cost Texas employers an estimated $3.3 billion in health care costs, absenteeism and other weight-related expenses in 2005, according to a state report . . . ." (AP via Yahoo! Inc.)
Health Insurance Pool Advocated: Small Companies Should Be Able to Unite, Buy Coverage
Excerpt: "About 55 percent of businesses in South Carolina that employ less than 10 people do not offer health insurance, according to the federation. Currently, a group of businesses with a minimum of 1,000 employees can pool money and buy insurance for employees, ideally negotiating a lower cost." (The State)
Estimating Revenue Effects of Administration's Proposal for Standard Deduction for Health Insurance (PDF)
26 pages. Excerpt: "The Administration's Fiscal Year 2008 Budget includes a proposal to create a new standard deduction for health insurance, while generally repealing the present-law tax subsidies relating to health coverage." (U.S. Congress Joint Committee on Taxation)
Financial 'Carrot' Is a Healthy Incentive for Employees
Excerpt: "Paying your monthly health insurance premium, that's one thing. Trying to improve your blood pressure, that's another. Or is it? Before long, your employer may connect your health directly with your paycheck." (Omaha World-Herald)
Despite Tax Benefits, Many Employees Don't Use Spending Accounts to Stash Cash for Medical Costs
Excerpt: "Vimo blames the nationwide underfunding of health savings accounts partly on companies, who Vimo contends pocket the savings from high-deductible insurance plans rather than contribute to employees' HSAs. Though employers aren't required to contribute, obviously more staff would sign up for HSAs if they got help funding them." (The Detroit News)
Health Savings Account Contributions Are Likely to Increase Slightly in 2008
Excerpt: "The Treasury Department isn't likely to increase the minimum annual deductible amounts for health savings account (HSA)-qualified high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) for 2008, but will probably bump up contribution levels, consultant Roy Ramthun, President Bush's former senior advisor on health policy, tells AIS." (INSIDE CONSUMER-DIRECTED CARE via AISHealth.com)
Side-by-Side Chart Comparing House and Senate Mental Health Parity Legislation (PDF)
4 pages. Full title: American Benefits Council Discussion Document Comparing the Senate and House Mental Health Parity Bills (American Benefits Council)
Opinion: Dr. Coburn's Prescription for a Healthy America
Excerpt: "Unlike every other aspect of American life, there is no free market in health care. Well intentioned, but shortsighted laws passed decades ago removed patients from their own health care decisions." (Senator Tom Coburn, U.S. Senate)
Bush Administration Moves Ahead with HSAs Despite Democratic Opposition
Excerpt: "Democrats have vowed to repeal laws enacted to make health savings accounts better investment vehicles for consumers, but in lieu of a unified front, the Bush administration is moving ahead with plans to expand the role of HSAs." (Workforce Management; free registration required)
Testimony: How Well Do Health Coverage Tax Credits Help Displaced Workers Obtain Health Care?
Excerpt: "This testimony addresses three topics: health coverage challenges facing displaced workers; the strengths and weaknesses of the HCTC program in helping these workers retain health coverage; and policy options to improve the HCTC program so it can be more effective in meeting the health coverage needs of workers who lose their jobs because of international trade." (Urban Institute)
Links to Items on Executive Comp, Benefits in General
Another Accounting Standard Impact Benefit Plan Advisors
Excerpt: "The standard is currently effective for publicly traded companies and will apply to private enterprises for year beginning on or after December 15, 2006. However, the standard does effectively apply to positions taken on returns that are currently in process, as the liability assessment is based upon all open years, not just the current year." (Pension & Benefits Blog)
Trends Clash for Aging Employees
Excerpt: "Studies show the U.S. workforce is getting older, but will a retirement wave affect your business? It often depends on the industry sector, but a little organizational research should help HR leaders find out and prepare for the future." (Human Resource Executive Online; free registration required)
Erroneous Personalized Enrollment Worksheet Is Not Enforceable
Excerpt: "EBIA Comment: While the court refused to enforce the worksheet, this case nevertheless highlights the risks of providing inaccurate information and the importance of being extra careful with individualized statements." (Employee Benefits Institute of America Inc.)
Stock Bonuses for Executives at American Airlines Anger Pilots
Excerpt: "It may look like chicken feed in this era of mammoth executive pay packages, but a combined $21 million in stock payouts to five top executives at American Airlines is looming large in labor talks with pilots still angry about pay concessions made four years ago." (The New York Times; free registration required)
No Relief Available to Employee for Employer's Breach of Fiduciary Duty
Excerpt: "EBIA Comment: Despite determinations that the employer was a fiduciary and had breached its fiduciary duty, the employee came up empty-handed. The Supreme Court's 2002 Knudson decision . . . is the source of the narrow interpretation of 'appropriate equitable relief,' which has led to many cases of a wrong without a remedy." (Employee Benefits Institute of America Inc.)
National Employee Benefits Day - Free Promotional Materials
The target page also lists many free informational resources. (International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans)
Newly Posted Events
New Leadership on Health Care: A Presidential Forum - Webcast
Nationwide on March 28, 2007
presented by KaiserNetwork.org
Newly Posted Press Releases
U.S. Labor Department Obtains Consent Order Shutting Down ‘Sham’ Health Care Fund Based In California
U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA)
U.S. Labor Department Seeks Independent Fiduciary To Manage Denver 401(k) Plan, Recovery Of Employee Contributions
U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA)
Council Supports Bipartisan Senate Approach To Achieve Mental Health Parity
American Benefits Council
ftwilliam.com Announces the Release of Their Batch 5558 and Batch SAR
ftwilliam.com
The National Managed Care Leadership 2007 Directory
Healthcare Web Summit
Newly Posted or Renewed Job Openings
401(k)/Defined Contribution Valuation Processor
for National Retirement Services, Inc.
in CA, NC
Benefit Consultant (Sales Agent)
for Corporate Synergies Group, Inc.
in NJ
Technical Research Consultant
for Diversified Investment Advisors
in NY
Senior Benefits Analyst
for Watson Wyatt Worldwide
in VA
Senior Account Manager
for Strategic Employee Benefit Services of New York, Inc.
in NY
Benefits Administration - Domain Effectiveness Manager/Organizational Effectiveness
for Mercer HR Services
in IL, MA, TX
401k Administrator
for Vanguard
in PA
Client Relationship Administrator
for Vanguard
in PA
Benefits Analyst
for Vanguard
in PA
Pension Consultant DB/DC
for Geller Group LLC
in NY
Employee Benefits Sales Professional
for Standard Insurance Company
in CT
Plan Compliance Manager
for Flexible Benefits Systems, Inc.
in OH
Client Relationship Manager - Los Angeles, CA
for Transamerica Retirement Services
in CA
Sr. Employee Benefit Specialist
for The Principal Financial Group
in MD
Pension Actuarial Manager
for Deloitte Consulting LLP
in MI, NY, TX
Benefits Call Center Manager
for Ceridian
in NC
Installation Administrator - Los Angeles, CA
for Transamerica Retirement Services
in CA
Relationship Manager / Senior Pension Analyst
for Boyce & Associates, Inc.
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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