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March 23, 2011 Get Retirement News  |  Advertise  |  Unsubscribe  |  Past Issues

[Guidance Overview]
Health Care Reform: One Year Later (Part 1)
"[In this article we] summarize the state of compliance by employers, offer a roundup of regulatory guidance and highlight a few of the key changes that have been made to the law." (Verrill Dana, LLP)


Plan Now To Attend The Washington Legislative Update (advert.)

Sponsored by The International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans

The International Foundation’s Washington Legislative Update offers a chance to communicate with government officials and get the answers you need on recent and proposed legislation. Don't miss this one-of-a-kind opportunity. Register Today!


[Guidance Overview]
Extension of Claims Regulations Enforcement Grace Period under Health Care Reform
"I recently analyzed these rules applicable to claims appeals and external review as a part of an upcoming law review article on the subject. The regulations attempt to alter not only claims appeals, but also to affect the judicial standard of review in a number of respects. In other words, the implementation of these rules bears careful observation by plan fiduciaries." (Roy Harmon III / Health Plan Law)

[Guidance Overview]
Plan Administrator's Business Practices Testimony Prevails in COBRA Case
"The result in Brooks v. AAA Cooper Transp. is typical of cases of its kind. The opinion contains a concise presentation of a defense to a claim that the plan administrator failed to send a COBRA notice upon termination of employment." (Roy Harmon III / Health Plan Law)

[Guidance Overview]
HHS Recently Imposed First Civil Money Penalty for Violation of HIPAA's Privacy Rules (PDF)
"The $4.3 mil.lion penalty was soon followed by HHS settling another entity's violation of HIPAA's privacy rules for $1 mil.lion. The two enforcement actions strongly suggest that HHS is investigating violations of HIPAA's privacy rules vigorously and imposing substantial penalties for violations of the rules." (Buck Consultants)

(Revised Article) Reform's 'Unaffordable Coverage' Trigger Contradictory With Existing Tax Rules, Borzi Says
"Phyllis Borzi, Assistant Secretary of [DOL's EBSA], told an employer group on March 11 that significant obstacles remain to calculating whether an employee is getting 'unaffordable coverage' from their employer. The provision would allow employees to use company money to buy insurance on an exchange; it is scheduled to take effect in 2014." (Thompson Publishing Group)


The 8th Annual World Health Care Congress (WHCC). April 4-6, 2011 (advert.)

Sponsored by World Congress

The 8th Annual World Health Care Congress (WHCC) is World Congress' flagship event in which over 1,800 health care, government and corporate leaders formulate solutions to the challenges of health care cost, quality and delivery.


Realizing Health Reform's Potential: A New Series of Briefs on the Affordable Care Act
"The Commonwealth Fund has launched a new series of Fund issue briefs that examines the way the Affordable Care Act of 2010 . . . will benefit different populations and groups, as well as improve insurance coverage and change the delivery of care." (The Commonwealth Fund)

Consumers Union Offers Free Guide to New Options and Benefits under Health Care Reform (PDF)
"The guide offers easy-to-read information about the new health care options -- and the fine print -- for consumers . . . ." (Consumers Union)

Long-Term Care Insurance: A Piece of the Retirement & Estate Planning Puzzle (PDF)
"Specifically, the study measures attitudes towards and knowledge of long-term care insurance among Americans. The survey also explores concerns about needing extended care services, confidence in being able to pay for such services in the future, perceived methods of funding the expenses associated with long-term care, and the misperceptions about and barriers to purchasing long-term care insurance." (The Prudential Insurance Company of America)

Health Care Reform Update (PDF)
Read this week's update on health care reform legislation, regulations, and initiatives. (ML Strategies, LLC)

Benchmarking Preventive Care Utilization (PDF)
"Although there is no way to tell exactly how the PPACA requirements will affect preventive care trends, it is safe to say that use of preventive services overall is likely to increase. This paper discusses existing preventive care utilization rates and compares them to a calculation of the recommended utilization rates." (Milliman, Inc.)

Are Unions Getting a 'Disproportionate' Break from the Health Care Law?
"'Of the waivers approved, 41 percent were to self-insured employer plans, 31 percent to HRAs [employer-funded group health plans that reimburse for expenses], 23 percent to Taft-Hartley plans -- these are employer plans governed by collective bargaining agreements -- 3 percent to health insurance issuers,' . . . . 'Only 2 percent of waivers have been granted to union plans.'" (The Washington Post; free registration required)

The Hidden Costs of U.S. Health Care for Consumers: A Comprehensive Analysis
"This study was designed to gauge the total costs that U.S. consumers bear in funding health care products and services, with the hypothesis that consumers spend more out of pocket than is typically reported in insurance industry or government reports." (Deloitte Development LLC)

[Opinion]
Health Insurers Initiating a Takeover of Health Care?
"Where are they investing? In less-regulated companies that could yield strong profits and make the main business - insurance - more lucrative. The purchases also could increase insurers' control over more parts of the health system." (Kaiser Health News via Physicians for a National Health Program)

Benefits in General; Executive Compensation

[Guidance Overview]
SEC's Proposed Rules Regarding Incentive-Based Compensation Arrangements for Certain Financial Institutions
"The proposed rules, once finalized, will apply to any entity considered to be a 'covered financial institution,' which is defined as all institutions that have $1 bil.lion or more in assets . . . ." (Littler Mendelson P.C.)

How to Recruit, Retain & Retire Key Employees: Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan Survey Results
"Recent press reports suggest employers fear they may lose key employees and executives due to talent competition in an improving job market. One way employers may address this issue is by offering nonqualified deferred compensation (NQDC) plans -- but the question is how much employers view this benefit as an effective way to reduce potential talent loss and recruit new talent from other employers." (Principal Financial Group)

G.ay Spouses and Federal Government Benefits
"While the Obama administration's position on the Defense of Marriage Act is evolving, federal employees who have been victimized by the law remain where they always have been -- stuck without benefits for their same se.x spouses." (The Washington Post; free registration required)

Employee Benefits Update, March 2011 (PDF)
The five-page newsletter presents select compliance deadlines and reminders; retirement plan developments; and, health and welfare plan developments. (Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c.)


Employee Benefits Jobs

Sr. Retirement Plan Administrator in CA for Los Angeles and Orange County Area Firm

Internal Wholesaler in NH for Retirement Alliance, Inc.

TPA Services Consultant in MA for John Hancock

Participant Counselor - Texas in TX for Diversified Investment Advisors, Inc.

Retirement Plan Administrator in AL for PlanTech, LLP

Director of Non Qualified Plans in OH for Charles Schwab

ERISA Compliance Manager in OH for Charles Schwab

Retirement Education Consultant in CA, DC for AUL/OneAmerica Financial Partners, Inc.

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