P&I Retirement Plan Connections Online Conference - Thursday, January 27
Connect with leading industry experts, your colleagues & solutions providers without leaving your desk. In straightforward language, this online conference will provide time-tested strategies from experts & your peers. Whether your objective is to build your business & best help your clients, or make prudent decisions for your plan participants, this conference will provide the answers you need. Register today FREE of charge.
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[Official Guidance]
Text of Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Health Insurance Premium Rate Increase Disclosure and Review (PDF)
136 pages. Excerpt: "This document contains proposed regulations implementing the rules for health insurance issuers regarding the disclosure and review of unreasonable premium increases under section 2794 of the Public Health Service Act. The proposed rule would establish a rate review program to ensure that all rate increases that meet or exceed an established threshold are reviewed by a State or HHS to determine whether the rate increases are unreasonable."
(U.S. Department of Human and Health Services)
[Guidance Overview]
Employer Notice Regarding Children's Health Insurance Program (PDF)
1 page. Excerpt: "Employers subject to this requirement must provide this notice by the date that is the later of (a) the first day of the first plan year after February 4, 2010, or (b) May 1, 2010, and annually thereafter. Therefore, employers operating group health plans on a calendar year basis must provide this notice by January 1, 2011."
(Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP)
[Guidance Overview]
HHS's Additional Guidance on Waivers of Annual Limit Requirement, Including Model Notice Language
Excerpt: "Several large insurance companies have received waivers, so this new guidance is likely to be relevant for large numbers of employers. For these employers, the notice requirement may raise a few issues. For example, it is not clear who has primary responsibility for providing the notice, and, as a result, employers should consult with their insurer about the process to be followed."
(Employee Benefits Institute of America)
State Legislation and Actions Challenging Certain Health Reforms, 2010
Excerpt: "In response to federal health reform legislation and enacted law, some members of at least 40 state legislatures proposed legislation to limit, alter or oppose selected state or federal actions, including single-payer provisions and mandates that would require purchase of insurance.'
(National Conference of State Legislatures)
National Business Group on Health Targets Cancer in the Workplace
Excerpt: "The National Business Group on Health has launched an ambitious, three-year initiative aimed at helping employers design benefit plans that reflect the latest scientific information and expert recommendations on cancer treatment and prevention."
(Employee Benefit News; one-time free registration required)
Antitrust Suit in Michigan Tests Health Law
Excerpt: "When the Justice Department filed an antitrust lawsuit against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan in October, the unusual action was widely seen as a warning shot to dominant health insurance carriers in many other states. The case is viewed as a test for the Obama administration's introduction of the federal health care law, which is aimed at spurring competition and driving down costs."
(The New York Times; one-time registration required)
[Opinion]
American Benefits Council Comments to HHS Regarding PPACA Federal External Review Process (PDF)
4 pages. Excerpt: "The comments . . . do not directly relate to the specific operational questions regarding Independent Review Organization (IRO) standards as set out in the RFI, but instead are intended to address how such standards might relate to the Federal external review process as that process applies to self-insured plans under the Affordable Care Act, the interim final regulations, sub-regulatory and any future guidance."
(American Benefits Council)
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.
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Benefits in General; Executive Compensation
[Guidance Overview]
IRS Relaxes Rules on Fixing Release-Contingent Payments in Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan
Excerpt: "IRS Notice 2010-80, issued November 30, 2010, grants NQDC plan sponsors more flexibility in correcting impermissible timing provisions for payments that are conditioned on employee actions, such as execution of a general release of claims or restrictive covenant agreement, and provides transition relief for such violations."
(Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP)
Webcasts and Conferences
Business Literacy
Nationwide on March 24, 2011
presented by
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Nationwide on March 22, 2011
presented by
National Center for Employee Ownership
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