Health & Welfare Plans Newsletter March 9, 2010 |
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Sponsored by Employee Benefits Institute of America (EBIA)
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[Guidance Overview]
New Regulations Prohibit Questions Regarding Family History or Other Genetic Information on Certain Health Risk Assessments
2 pages. Excerpt: "If [a Health Risk Assessment] includes questions regarding family medical history or other genetic information, it may violate the new rules. . . . Previously, incentives could be given for participation in an HRA, provided the results of the HRA were not used to discriminate against any employees based on a health factor. Incentives still may be provided if the HRA does not include any questions regarding family medical history or other genetic information."
(von Briesen & Roper, s.c.)
Updated Interactive Tables on Health System and Insurance Reforms
Excerpt: "[The Commonwealth Fund has updated its] interactive tables for side-by-side comparisons of the system reforms and insurance coverage provisions in the congressional health reform bills to include President Obama's proposal."
(The Commonwealth Fund)
Making Your Healthcare Plan More Cost-Effective Through a Dependent Audit (PDF)
Excerpt: "While a private-sector employer may see an audit as a way to help the bottom line, a public-sector employer could better serve the public interest through the audit -- since it is funded through tax dollars, it could save money on behalf of the public by verifying that claimed dependents are valid. Public-sector employers at the federal and state level have an additional reason to consider holding their own dependent audits -- the possibility of a watchdog government agency conducting an investigation."
(Thompson Publishing Group)
Demystifying High-Deductible Health Plans
Excerpt: "[A]t least half of large employers offer a high-deductible plan. The figure in 2009 was 54 percent, according to the Health Care Cost Survey by Towers Perrin (now Towers Watson). The survey focused on Fortune 1,000 companies."
(Workforce Management)
[Opinion]
Congress Declares War on HSAs
Excerpt: "[T]he health care bill passed by the Senate (December 24, 2009) does not directly outlaw HSA-eligible plans, but it restricts HSA options in insidious ways that will delay, deny, defeat and ultimately kill them."
(National Center for Policy Analysis)
The nation's workforce and health care system are constantly evolving and so are the legal issues. Law Journal Press helps you handle any benefits law question with up-to-date, authoritative books on all aspects of the field. Get legal and practical advice from leading experts on everything from COBRA to ERISA, "contingent" employees to family and medical leave, and more. Browse our product listings for detailed information and special offers.
Sponsored by ALM
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Executive Compensation; Benefits in General
[Guidance Overview]
Recent Developments in Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation, by Blank Rome, March 2010
Describes highlights of mental health parity regulation, revision of SEC executive compensation disclosure rules, issuance of model CHIP notice, and additional 403(b) DOL guidance.
(Blank Rome)
Tax on Executive Bonuses Under Consideration for Senate Extenders Bill
Excerpt: "The Senate will consider the addition of a new 50 percent tax on executive bonuses in excess of $400,000 as part of the tax extenders legislation (H.R. 4213) set for a final vote today."
(BNA Tax & Accounting)
DOL Intends to Increase Investigation and Prosecution of Businesses That Misclassify Employees as Independent Contractors
Excerpt: "In the February 1, 2010 budget proposal for the 2011 fiscal year, President Obama has recommended awarding the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) $25 million for the specific purpose of investigating and prosecuting employers who misclassify employees as independent contractors."
(McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP)
Webcasts and Conferences
"The Dirty Dozen: Correcting the Most Common Errors" Web Seminar
Nationwide on April 6, 2010
presented by SunGard Relius
20th Annual IRA Academy
in Texas on May 10, 2010
presented by PenServ, Inc.
ERISA Advisory Council Meeting
in District of Columbia on March 22, 2010
presented by U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA)
FMLA Update
Nationwide on March 16, 2010
presented by FutureOffice Network
Minimizing Legal Risks in the Design, Implementation & Administration of Employee Benefit Plans
in New York on May 24, 2010
presented by American Conference Institute
Washington Update 2010: Benefits On Ice
in California on March 18, 2010
presented by Western Pension & Benefits Conference - Orange County Chapter
Press Releases
Phillips Benefits Advisors Becomes BAN Member
Benefit Advisors Network
Congress Must Consider Critical Health Care Reform Implementation Issues
American Benefits Council
National Employee Benefits Day To Be Celebrated on April 6, 2010
International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans
The Potential Impact of President Obama's Health Reform Proposal
RAND Corporation
ASPPA Lauds Senate for Adopting Roth Conversion Proposal
American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA)
Newly Posted Employee Benefits Jobs
Retirement Plan Administrator
for Sherman & Howard L.L.C.
in CO
Contract Analyst
for Prudential
in NJ
Retirement Plan Analyst (Senior Level)
for National Life Group
in VT
Senior Compliance Consultant
for Lincoln Financial Group
in CT, IL, IN, PA
Senior Plan Administrator
for Carlson, Quinn & Associates
in CA
Senior Plan Consultant
for RPS Plan Administrators
in CO
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