Health & Welfare Plans Newsletter |
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| May 21, 2009 \ Compliance \ Costs \ Administration \ Design \ Policy | ||
International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (Advert.)
Need to train your staff annually on HIPAA Privacy? The HIPAA Privacy e-learning course has been completely updated with all of the new ARRA information. E-learning courses from the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans are a perfect way to get compliance education without leaving the office. Courses cover the entire benefits spectrum and include fun, interactive features that will help you fully understand concepts and practical applications and not just memorize terms. Learn more at www.ifebp.org/elearning. |
[Guidance Overview]
Disclosure Accounting in Electronic Health Records Could Be Big Problem for HIPAA Covered Entities
Excerpt: "The new accounting of disclosures requirements for EHRs under the HITECH Act dictates that providers log all disclosures made through EHRs -- including those made for treatment, payment and health care purposes -- and report them to patients when requested. Formerly, HIPAA required that providers log when protected health information (PHI) is disclosed for purposes other than treatment, payment or health care operations. The new requirements are a ticking time bomb for covered entities mainly because so much has yet to be defined, says Frank Ruelas, privacy and compliance trainer for CEs. 'So many people are reading the [provisions], which are saying 'You must do X, Y and Z -- and by the way, we'll let you know what X, Y and Z are later,'' he contends." (AISHealth.com)
[Guidance Overview]
Swine Flu Outbreak May Require Employers to Take Action
Excerpt: "Both the United States Department of Health and Human Services and the World Health Organization have made public declarations of the risk of pandemic due to the outbreak of swine influenza A (H1N1). These declarations impose on employers the duty to take reasonable steps to protect customers and employees. And while the initial outbreak of the swine flu has not been as severe as initially anticipated, the CDC has indicated that it is possible that the virus will return in its current form or even mutate into a more virulent virus during the fall cold and flu season. Adams and Reese LLP has prepared detailed policies, protocols, and other communications for clients to address these issues. As a service to all our clients, we advise you of our belief that it is essential for employers to take the following actions at a minimum . . . ." (Adams and Reese LLP)
Health Reform Gateway Page with New Resources on the 2009 Debate Launched
Excerpt: "With Congress expected to begin considering health reform legislation, the Foundation has launched a gateway page featuring resources about health reform. Included on the page are a new interactive side-by-side allowing users to choose which major health reform proposals and characteristics to compare, a historical timeline that chronicles key events and noteworthy activities in health reform and the new series of Explaining Health Care Reform briefs." (Kaiser Family Foundation)
Agencies Seek Comments on Mental Health Parity Law (PDF)
2 pages. Excerpt: "Agencies Seek Comments on Mental Health Parity Law. The IRS, Department of Labor (DOL), and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have jointly issued a Request for Information concerning the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA). Comments are due by May 28, 2009. . . . Regulations on MHPAEA are due by early October 2009." (Buck Consultants)
Providers Are Mixing New and Different Elements in Today's Dental Insurance Plans
Excerpt: "Demand for dental coverage is increasing, and providers are responding with a new generation of plan designs that are progressive on one hand, 'retro' on the other, and increasingly consumer centric. 'It's very interesting to watch what's happening in the industry right now,' says Karen Gustin, vice president of group and managed care products for Ameritas. 'Employers and employees are looking for value in dental benefits, not just price. But at the same time, they want products at less cost. The result is that it's taking the industry back to the products of the 1980s.'" (Employee Benefit Adviser)
ALM (Advert.)
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Links to Items on Executive Comp, Benefits in General
[Guidance Overview]Issues a Company Should Consider When Designing an Executive Compensation 'Repayment' Policy (PDF)
5 pages. Excerpt: "There is increasingly widespread agreement that corporations should adopt policies concerning repayment of executive compensation when the financial criteria that led to such payment are later determined to be inaccurate. There is much less agreement, however, on the specific terms that should be contained in a repayment policy. This letter explores the key questions that a Board of Directors must address in designing a repayment policy." (Frederic W. Cook, Inc.)
U.S. Senator Introduces Measure to Give Shareholders Input into Companies' Executive Pay Practices
Excerpt: "A Reuters news report said the bill from Senator Charles Schumer (D-New York) also includes a provision requiring separating a publicly-traded company's CEO from the chairman position. Schumer told Reuters that his measure will likely be part of a larger legislative package of financial regulatory reforms, which he hopes can be passed by the end of the year. The measure would also give shareholders 'proxy access,' meaning they would have an advisory vote on executive compensation packages, and would require that corporate boards establish risk committees. The bill would require companies to obtain shareholder approval for the pay packages given to executives when they leave a company." (PLANSPONSOR.com; free registration required)
Obama's Vast Agenda Sparks Concern: Are Proposals too Much for Congress to Handle?
Excerpt: "Mr. Obama came into office pledging to enact an ambitious agenda to bolster the ailling financial sector, jump-start the economy, provide health care for the uninsured, address global warming, overhaul the nation's energy policies, save Social Security and Medicare and pour billions more into education. And that's just for starters. Now analysts have begun asking whether the president's lengthy shopping list is more than Congress can handle, or whether a debt-ridden, weakened economy can bankroll all his plans without falling deeper into a financial hole." (The Washington Times)
Webcasts and Conferences
Davis Bacon Retirement PlansNationwide on June 3, 2009
presented by pensionpodcasts.info
ERISA Litigation in Distress Situations: What's New and Important
Nationwide on May 27, 2009
presented by ALI-ABA (American Law Institute-American Bar Association)
(Click to post your webcast or conference)
Press Releases
Kaiser Family Foundation Launches a Health Reform Gateway Page With New Resources on the 2009 DebateKaiser Family Foundation
Charles Schwab Finds Many Workers Who Have Left Their Jobs Have Also Left Their 401(k) Savings Behind
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
Record PBGC Deficit Requires Congressional Action to Strengthen Defined Benefit Pension Plan System
American Benefits Council
The Phia Group, LLC Announces Alliance with Interface EAP, Inc.
The Phia Group, LLC
Susman Godfrey L.L.P. Obtains $45 Million Settlement for Milwaukee County During Trial Against Mercer (US), Inc.
Susman Godfrey L.L.P.
(Click to post your press release)
Employee Benefits Jobs
Plan Services Consultant (Retirement Services)for American United Life a OneAmerica Financial Partner
in IN
Senior Account Executive, Group Benefits Broker
for Lenox Advisors, Inc.
in NY
Associate Account Executive in Group Benefits
for Lenox Advisors, Inc
in NY
(Click to post your job opening | View all jobs |
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EmployeeBenefitsJobs.com (Sponsor)
(Click on banner to learn more.)
| Where the best employers find the best candidates! |
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