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| August 28, 2007 |
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Court Orders Wal-Mart to Provide Employee's Stepchild Medical Benefits
Excerpt: "The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York has determined that a Qualified Medical Child Support Order (QMCSO) can require an employer to cover an employee's stepchild under its medical benefits plan even if the stepchild would not normally be covered under the plan." (PLANSPONSOR.com; free registration required)
Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas Consider Health Care Proposals
Excerpt: "Newspapers recently published articles examining efforts in Colorado, Georgia, Illinois and Kansas to overhaul their health care systems. Summaries of the coverage appear [in the target page]." (Kaiser Family Foundation)
Overview: Third Circuit Turns Down AARP's Request to Review Retiree Medical Case
Excerpt: "The Third Circuit, sitting en banc, reportedly has rejected AARP's request to review an earlier decision by a three-judge panel that EEOC has the authority to issue the exemption. It is not yet clear whether AARP will exercise its option to appeal the Third Circuit's decision to the U.S. Supreme Court." (Deloitte)
BNA Pension and Benefits Blog: The Intersection of Federal and State Health Care Reforms
Posted June 7, 2007. Excerpt: "There is a collision between the federal initiatives to move employers toward offering high deductible health plans and health savings accounts and the Massachusetts initiative toward requiring the individuals to purchase minimum levels of health insurance coverage and to indirectly pressure employers to conform their benefit plans to satisfy the minimum level of coverage. The Massachusetts rules do not accommodate a high deductible health plan as defined in federal tax law." (BNA Pension and Benefits Blog)
Blue Cross of California Pays Out over $69 Million in Physician Bonus Incentives
Excerpt: "One hundred and seventy-six participating physician groups throughout the state were paid incentives totaling over $69 million, the most ever paid using Blue Cross' Quality Scorecard." (Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association)
Will COBRA Be There When You Need It?
Excerpt: "Under the federal law establishing COBRA, many employees who leave a job - 'voluntarily or not' - are eligible to buy the health insurance offered by the employer for up to 18 months. But the catch for . . . workers is, the employer's plan must still exist in order for the former employee to buy it." (Arizona Daily Star via Physicians for a National Health Program)
A Review of the 2008 Presidential Candidates on Health Care Reform, Updated August 27, 2007 (PDF)
10 pages. Excerpt: "While it is still early in the campaign process and plan details are incomplete for most candidates, these summaries provide a snapshot of the candidates and their blueprint for reform. Our intent is to be thorough and accurate in compiling what they have said or indicated they want to do. As their plans take shape we intend to explain what their proposals mean for the health care system and for Americans' ability to have access to affordable coverage. But we also plan to eliminate their spin . . . ." (The Council for Affordable Health Insurance)
Employers Working Toward Happy, Healthier Employees
Excerpt: "[The 'Great Escape' program includes listening to a relaxation tape.] It's part of a wellness initiative aimed at promoting health and reducing health-care costs." (Nashua Telegraph)
More Companies Offering Pet Vet Insurance As a Benefit
Excerpt: "Though pet insurance is just a small market now, industry experts say it could grow substantially. Of an estimated 69 million pet-owning households in the U.S., less than 2 percent own pet insurance, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The organization expects the market for pet insurance to grow 25 percent next year." (Puget Sound Business Journal via MSNBC.com)
PPO Plans Dominate Employer Health Plan Offerings
Excerpt: "Nearly sixty percent (55.9%) of all employers included in the 2007 United Benefit Associates (UBA) Health Plan Survey offer a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) health plan to their employees, significantly more than those who offer other types of health plans." (PLANSPONSOR.com; free registration required)
Help Employees Take a Break This Labor Day with Stress-Relieving Tips
Excerpt: "[The American Psychological Association] cautions that work is the No. 1 cause of stress for employed Americans, and it costs U.S. businesses $300 billion per year in absenteeism, decreased productivity, medical, legal and insurance fees. People with increased stress are more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors like smoking, overeating and binge drinking, which can ultimately lead to health risks and increased health care costs for your organization." (Employee Benefit News; free registration required)
Access to Banking Services Can Improve Benefits Acceptance Among Spanish-Speaking Employees
Excerpt: "Unfortunately, Spanish-speakers, many of whom are distrustful of the U.S. banking system and forgo checking and savings accounts, are more likely to cash their paychecks at check-cashing operations or liquor stores. As such, employers like Atlanta-based Directo are introducing direct deposit programs, customized specifically for 'unbanked' workers." (Employee Benefit News; free registration required)
Prospects Dim for California Health Care Reform
Excerpt: "Democrats have shunned Schwarzenegger's core idea to require all residents to carry insurance, saying it would stick low-income and working-class families with health insurance bills they can't afford. Republicans staunchly oppose the governor's financing plan, saying it amounts to a tax on businesses, doctors and hospitals." (Los Angeles Newspaper Group)
Romney Unveils Health Care Reform Plan
Excerpt: "GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney . . . released his principles for national healthcare reform but left out the linchpin of the plan he enacted as governor of Massachusetts: a requirement that individuals get coverage." (Los Angeles Times)
Overview: IRS's Proposed Cafeteria Plan Regulations
Excerpt: "On August 3, 2007 the IRS issued proposed regulations on Cafeteria Plans. With one exception regarding life insurance, the regulations are effective January 1, 2009. Comments on the proposed regulations are due November 5th with hearings to be held on November 15th." (ERISAdiagnostics, Inc.)
Opinion: EHRs' Place in Fraud Management Focus of Report
Excerpt: "[The target page is a letter written in] response to Joseph Conn's 'RTI report includes controversial EHR requirement': The article cites the report recently released by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology in which a panel of experts selected by RTI International under a contract from ONCHIT crafted recommendations for requirements of electronic health records that could assist in fraud management and improve data quality." (Modern Healthcare; free registration required)
Links to Items on Executive Comp, Benefits in General
Ensuring Benefits Success with Mergers and Acquisitions
Excerpt: "In most mergers, acquisitions or divestitures, benefits usually are one of the last areas to be evaluated. However, if not properly reviewed and considered, benefits could have major cost and employee relations consequences - perhaps even affecting the price of the transaction. Although all benefits programs should receive significant due diligence, COBRA, medical, dental, life and disability are the most pressing potential liabilities." (Employee Benefit News; free registration required)
Returning the ERISA Case to the Plan Administrator: Administrative Agency Analogies
Excerpt: "One of the ironies of ERISA jurisprudence lies in the variety of judicial conclusions as to how claims must be advanced and evaluated under its purportedly 'comprehensive and reticulated' scheme. Graham v. Hartford underscores this point in the Tenth Circuit's review of the variety of channels open to parties after a determination on a claim for benefits by a plan administrator." (Health Plan Law blog by Attorney Roy F. Harmon III)
Misrepresentations in Company's Prospectus and SEC Form S-8 Filing Possible Breach of ERISA Fiduciary Duty
Excerpt: "EBIA Comment: This is still a preliminary stage in the case, and without resolving the issues of fiduciary status and liability, this decision merely allows for continued litigation of those matters. This is one of a number of complex 'stock drop' cases involving 401(k) and other individual account plans that permit investment in employer securities. These cases raise complicated fiduciary issues, and it remains to be seen how these cases will affect the landscape of ERISA fiduciary duty liability." (Employee Benefits Institute of America Inc.)
Proposed Regs Clarify that Insurance Premium Payments Made by Qualified Plans Are Taxable Distributions
Excerpt: "EBIA Comment: The regulations are proposed to be effective for calendar years after they are issued in final form; however, the preamble states that no inference should be drawn that premium payments from qualified plans are nontaxable if made prior to the effective date." (Employee Benefits Institute of America Inc.)
Newly Posted Events
Creating A Healthy Organization; It is More than Just Wellness
in Illinois on September 27, 2007
presented by WEB - Chicago West
Fall and Winter IRA Seminar Tour 2007
in Iowa on September 18, 2007
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
Fall and Winter IRA Seminar Tour 2007
in Idaho on September 18, 2007
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
Fall and Winter IRA Seminar Tour 2007
in Montana on September 18, 2007
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
Fall and Winter IRA Seminar Tour 2007
in Utah on September 19, 2007
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
Fall and Winter IRA Seminar Tour 2007
in Montana on September 19, 2007
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
Fall and Winter IRA Seminar Tour 2007
in Nebraska on September 19, 2007
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
Fall and Winter IRA Seminar Tour 2007
in Iowa on September 20, 2007
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
Fall and Winter IRA Seminar Tour 2007
in South Dakota on September 20, 2007
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
Fall and Winter IRA Seminar Tour 2007
in Washington on September 20, 2007
presented by Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
International Employee Benefits Review & Update
Nationwide on September 18, 2007
presented by ABA Joint Committee on Employee Benefits
The New 403(b) Rules: What's Required And When
Nationwide on September 5, 2007
presented by Michael Best & Friedrich
Newly Posted Press Releases
Hewitt Associates Announces Agreement to Acquire RealLife HR
Hewitt Associates LLC
MassMutual Will Introduce Fiduciary Warranty
MassMutual Retirement Services
Independent Advisor Optimism on Economy Waning Says Schwab Institutional Study
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
Schwab Institutional Study Finds Even the Affluent are Anxious About Retirement
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
U.S. Labor Department Judgment Orders Attorney And Fiduciaries Of Standard Automotive 401(k) Plan To Restore $340,000 To New Jersey Plan
U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA)
Treasury, IRS Issue Proposed Regulations Outlining New Rules Restricting Benefits In Underfunded Pension Plans
U.S. Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service
Group Purchasing Saves Employers $21.5 Million in Drug Costs in 2006
Pittsburgh Business Group on Health
Industry Experts To Establish CEFEX Advisory Council
Centre for Fiduciary Excellence (CEFEX)
Center for State and Local Government Excellence Awards Second Grant; North Carolina State University To Study Public Sector Health And Post-employment Benefits
Center for State and Local Government Excellence
Smart401k Provides Option to Employers Looking to Help Workers With Retirement Investments
Smart401k
Newly Posted or Renewed Job Openings
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Plan Administrator
for Beneco, Inc.
in AZ
401(k) Administrator
for Small, nation-wide TPA
in NC
Implementation Specialist
for The Newport Group
in FL
Implementation Project Manager
for The Newport Group
in FL
Paralegal / Employee Benefits
for Venable LLP
in DC
Retirement and Investment Consultant
for WEA Trust Member Benefits
in WI
401k Administrator
for Faulk & Winkler, LLC
in LA
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