An online, clickable version of this newsletter is available at: http://benefitslink.com/2004/2004_09_02_welfare.html
=========================================================== BenefitsLink Welfare Plans Newsletter (Plain Text Format) September 2, 2004 =========================================================== We thank and invite your attention to today's sponsor: Advent Information Services =========================================================== Your Best Customer Retention Tool Can Also Provide Useful Information To Your Clients (Advert.) <URL:http://benefitslink.com/cgi/a_d.cgi?a_d=2004_09_02_welfare> http://benefitslink.com/cgi/a_d.cgi?a_d=2004_09_02_welfare (Click on above address, or copy and paste it into your web browser, to learn more.) Imagine each month sending a professionally prepared newsletter to your clients that provides them with useful information, and is imprinted with your company name, contact information and logo! Advent's customized newsletters help employee benefit brokers, consultants and third-party administrators enhance their image with clients, while providing clients with current & useful information. For more information, including sample newsletters and a list of story titles from previous editions, click here. BENEFITSLINK VISITORS WHO SIGN UP BY SEPTEMBER 30 WILL SAVE $150. (Please visit our sponsors. We try to make sure their products and services will be of interest to you. Thanks! --Editor) ---------------------------------------------------------- Companies Can Reduce Costs, Improve Service When Renewing Benefits Outsourcing Contracts <URL:http://www.hrhub.com/content/news/article.asp?docid={39DDE821-D228-471F-898E-F355B13D284C}&VNETCOOKIE=NO> http://www.hrhub.com/content/news/article.asp?docid={39DDE821-D228-471F-898E-F355B13D284C}&VNETCOOKIE=NO Excerpt: "With many first-generation benefits and HR outsourcing contracts up for renewal in the next 12 months, employers risk leaving 'money on the table' if they don't capture efficiencies from driving even more employee benefits transactions to the web, according to outsourcing experts at Watson Wyatt." (HR Hub.com) ---------------------------------------------------------- Doctors Can Pursue Class Action Against Insurers <URL:http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/business/9559865.htm> http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/business/9559865.htm Excerpt: "In a development for which 600,000 doctors have been waiting almost a year, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit ruled yesterday that the doctors can pursue their class-action lawsuit charging major health insurers with engaging in a racketeering criminal conspiracy to delay or deny payments to the doctors." (Knight Ridder via Philadelphia Inquirer) ---------------------------------------------------------- Business: Ally or Obstacle? Employment-Based Benefits and Work and Family Issues <URL:http://www.prospect.org/web/page.ww?section=root&name=ViewPrint&articleId=8356> http://www.prospect.org/web/page.ww?section=root&name=ViewPrint&articleId=8356 Excerpt: "Although they're not the norm, a number of civic-minded companies are helping their low-wage workers juggle job and family challenges. Government also needs to do more." (The American Prospect) ---------------------------------------------------------- Analysis: Pres.cription Contraceptives in Employer Plans (PDF) <URL:http://www.vonbriesen.com/resourcelibrary/docs/compensationAndBenefits/prescription_contraceptives_in_employer_plans.pdf> http://www.vonbriesen.com/resourcelibrary/docs/compensationAndBenefits/prescription_contraceptives_in_employer_plans.pdf 3 pages. Excerpt: "In addition to the federal laws discussed above, states also have nondiscrimination laws, such as the [Wisconsin Fair Employment Act], that could present issues for certain employers that want to provide pres.cription drug plans but do not want to cover pres.cription contraceptives." (von Briesen & Roper, s.c.) ---------------------------------------------------------- Drug 'Recycling' Offers Alternative to Imports <URL:http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N01342536.htm> http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N01342536.htm Excerpt: "Patients ... who are struggling to afford their pres.cription medicines, are finding a source besides cheaper Canadian imports -- other patients. They turn to the Internet, clinics or other individuals in search of drugs left over when someone else with their condition recovers, changes pres.criptions, or dies." (Reuters AlertNet) ---------------------------------------------------------- Alcohol and Other Substance Abuse: Prevalence, Cost and Impact on Productivity <URL:http://www.benefitnews.com/health/detail.cfm?id=6407> http://www.benefitnews.com/health/detail.cfm?id=6407 Excerpt: "The statistics are startling. Nearly 75% of adult illicit drug users in the United States are employed either full-time or part-time, while close to 80% of adult heavy drinkers and binge drinkers are employed ... Many companies are only beginning to comprehend the effect of substance abuse on their bottom line." (BenefitNews.com) ---------------------------------------------------------- Senate Proposal Would Limit Group Purchasing Organizations' Business Practices <URL:http://www.modernhealthcare.com/news.cms?newsId=2846&potId=FS> http://www.modernhealthcare.com/news.cms?newsId=2846&potId=FS Excerpt: "The hospital group purchasing industry's worst fear -- a bill that would amend the Social Security Act to strictly control the business practices of GPOs -- is on the table for discussion, Modern Healthcare has learned. The proposal will be floated when the Senate Judiciary Committee's antitrust subcommittee holds a hearing, possibly as early as Sept. 9. A copy of the 'discussion draft' was obtained from the Health Industry Group Purchasing Association, the industry trade group." (Modern Healthcare) ---------------------------------------------------------- AHIP Survey Shows Wide Support for Health Savings Accounts <URL:http://www.ahip.org/redirect/hsasurvey.ppt> http://www.ahip.org/redirect/hsasurvey.ppt A PowerPoint presentation presents key findings of a national survey on Americans' opinion and knowledge of Health Savings Accounts (America's Health Insurance Plans) ---------------------------------------------------------- Evolving Role of Third Party Administrators Brings New Demands and Innovations <URL:http://www.benefitnews.com/finance/detail.cfm?id=6433> http://www.benefitnews.com/finance/detail.cfm?id=6433 Excerpt: "Gone are the days of third party administrators (TPAs) simply processing claims and cutting checks for Taft-Hartley plans. Today's TPAs are assisting their clients in everything from creating new benefit plan models to contain costs and boost worker recruitment and retention to providing the latest and greatest regulatory compliance counsel." (Employee Benefit News) ---------------------------------------------------------- Automated Rx Tools Encourage Cost-Saving Drug Migration <URL:http://www.aispub.com/Bnow/090104e.html> http://www.aispub.com/Bnow/090104e.html Excerpt: "As payers search for solutions to escalating drug benefit costs, CDH [Consumer-Directed Health] is increasingly suggested as at least part of the answer. But some consumers see this as just a politically correct way of imposing higher copays with less coverage, says Robert Oscar, president of RxEOB, �." (AISHealth.com) ---------------------------------------------------------- Opinion: Can Patients Really Be Health Care Consumers? <URL:http://www.benefitnews.com/health/detail.cfm?id=6409> http://www.benefitnews.com/health/detail.cfm?id=6409 Excerpt: "Most people have heard of the three-legged stool of retirement income, which includes a pension, Social Security and personal savings. There is also a three-legged stool of health care consumerism, and its legs are emotion, illiteracy and intimidation." (Dick Quinn on BenefitNews.com) ---------------------------------------------------------- Sourcebook: Covering Health Issues 2004 <URL:http://www.allhealth.org/sourcebook2004/toc.asp> http://www.allhealth.org/sourcebook2004/toc.asp Excerpt: "The Alliance's latest sourcebook for journalists is now available online �. Although written with journalists in mind, the book is useful to anyone interested in health policy issues. We've included special coverage of the positions taken by President Bush and Sen. John Kerry on health issues." (Alliance for Health Reform) ---------------------------------------------------------- Healthcare Employers: Practical Steps for the New Overtime Regulations <URL:http://www.healthleaders.com/news/feature58011.html> http://www.healthleaders.com/news/feature58011.html Excerpt: "The Department of Labor's new overtime regulations became effective August 23, 2004. Healthcare employers have an opportunity to both take advantage of and minimize the risk of non-compliance with the new overtime regulations. As in the past, the DOL recognizes an exemption from overtime requirements for executive, administrative and professional employees who satisfy both a duties and salary test. The new regulations make changes to both elements of the exemption." (HealthLeaders News) ---------------------------------------------------------- Shrinking Call Center Numbers Should Not Affect Benefits Enrollment <URL:http://www.benefitnews.com/tech/detail.cfm?id=6431> http://www.benefitnews.com/tech/detail.cfm?id=6431 Excerpt: "A new report from Datamonitor shows the number of call centers and agent positions in the United States shrinking by 2008. However, experts say brokers need not fear any ill effects on benefits enrollment." (The ADVISER via BenefitNews.com) ========================================================== Links To Items on Executive Comp, Benefits In General ---------------------------------------------------------- University of Pittsburgh to Offer Same-Sex Employee Benefits <URL:http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04246/372223.stm> http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04246/372223.stm Excerpt: "The University of Pittsburgh will offer health benefits to domestic partners of g.ay and heterose.xual employees starting in January under a policy change hailed ... as a major breakthrough in an eight-year legal fight.... Pitt employees can sign up for coverage during an enrollment period to be announced this fall and must sign an affidavit of domestic partnership ..." (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) ---------------------------------------------------------- Home Depot To Offer Health Care Benefits To Employees' Domestic Partners <URL:http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/9564162.htm> http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/9564162.htm Excerpt: "The Home Depot Inc. plans to offer health insurance to same-sex domestic partners of its employees starting next year, the company said Thursday.... The chain has been criticized by some employees and human rights groups for not previously extending health care benefits to domestic partners of employees." (AP via Miami Herald; one-time registration required) ---------------------------------------------------------- Overview: FASB Decisions on Stock Compensation <URL:http://www.fei.org/news/FASB_9_2_2004.cfm> http://www.fei.org/news/FASB_9_2_2004.cfm Excerpt: "During redeliberations yesterday, September 1, of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Exposure Draft (ED) on Share-Based Payment, the board made several more decisions related to the accounting for stock compensation." (Financial Executives International) ---------------------------------------------------------- Scandal Brings Big Changes to Oil Company Bonuses <URL:http://www.mercerhr.com/knowledgecenter/reportsummary.jhtml/dynamic/idContent/1153435;jsessionid=LJLEYPAATSXOCAAJAADQOCAKMZSI4I2C> http://www.mercerhr.com/knowledgecenter/reportsummary.jhtml/dynamic/idContent/1153435;jsessionid=LJLEYPAATSXOCAAJAADQOCAKMZSI4I2C Excerpt: "The Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies is changing how it rewards employees. Starting in January, staff bonuses will be simplified to take into account individual accomplishments and company-wide performance. Success at the division level will no longer be a factor." (Mercer Human Resource Consulting) ========================================================== Newly Posted Events Plan Fees, Expenses, and Revenue Sharing in California on October 21, 2004 presented by Western Pension & Benefits Conference - Orange County Chapter <URL:http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=38682> http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=38682 Tales from the Crypt III - Bringing Benefits from the Footnotes to the Footlights in Ohio on September 23, 2004 presented by WEB (Worldwide Employee Benefits Network) Cleveland Chapter <URL:http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=38683> http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=38683 Post yours! http://benefitslink.com/events/eventmaint.php ========================================================== Newly Posted Press Releases As Board Risk and Responsibility Increase, So Does Pay, According to Hewitt Associates (Hewitt Associates LLC) http://benefitslink.com/pr/detail.php?id=38273 Grand Old Profits: Will Republicans Ever Speak Out Against Insurer Profits? (Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights) http://benefitslink.com/pr/detail.php?id=38274 Post yours! http://benefitslink.com/pr/maint.php ========================================================== Newly Posted or Renewed Job Openings Operations Supervisor for ICMA Retirement Corporation in DC http://benefitslink.com/modperl/show_a_job.cgi?database_id=H40408 Retirement Plan Specialist for Diversified Investment Advisors in CA http://benefitslink.com/modperl/show_a_job.cgi?database_id=H40412 Account Executive - Client Relationship Management for Diversified Investment Advisors in NY http://benefitslink.com/modperl/show_a_job.cgi?database_id=H40413 OmniPlan/OmniPlus Consultant for DC Specialists, Inc in ANY STATE http://benefitslink.com/modperl/show_a_job.cgi?database_id=H40416 DC Plan Administrator for Capital Investment Advisory in FL http://benefitslink.com/modperl/show_a_job.cgi?database_id=H40421 Retirement Svcs Major Accounts District Mgr (sales) Upstate NY/CT area for ADP Retirement Services in NY http://benefitslink.com/modperl/show_a_job.cgi?database_id=H40423 Post yours! http://benefitslink.com/jobs/post_help_wanted.html =========================================================== Subscribe to the BenefitsLink Retirement Plans Newsletter, Too Sign-up form is at: <URL:http://benefitslink.com/newsletter/> http://benefitslink.com/newsletter =========================================================== Copyright 2004 BenefitsLink.com, Inc.; except that you can forward this email in full (if you also include this boilerplate part) or otherwise reprint this email in full (if you include this boilerplate part) without obtaining our permission. Anyone can receive this newsletter; just use this Web page: <URL:http://benefitslink.com/newsletter/> http://benefitslink.com/newsletter/ Your company can sponsor an issue; for details, please see: <URL:http://benefitslink.com/newslettersponsor.html> http://benefitslink.com/newslettersponsor.html We're proud of our Privacy Policy: <URL:http://benefitslink.com/privacypolicy.html> http://benefitslink.com/privacypolicy.html To view earlier issues: <URL:http://benefitslink.com/newsletters/> http://benefitslink.com/newsletters/ Published by: BenefitsLink.com, Inc. http://benefitslink.com/about.html 1298 Minnesota Avenue, Suite H Winter Park FL 32789 (407) 644-4146 Fax: (407) 644-2151 Editor and Publisher: David Rhett Baker, J.D. [EMAIL PROTECTED] =========================================================== If you'd like to STOP this newsletter, just click on this link (or copy and paste it into your web browser): <URL:http://benefitslink.com/cgi/subme/[EMAIL PROTECTED]&l=12%20&subscribe=unsubscribe> http://benefitslink.com/cgi/subme/[EMAIL PROTECTED]&l=12%20&subscribe=unsubscribe If that doesn't work for you, please use this Web page: <URL:http://benefitslink.com/newsletter/> http://benefitslink.com/newsletter/ On that Web page enter the following email address: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (That's the exact address under which you are subscribed.) ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> $9.95 domain names from Yahoo!. Register anything. http://us.click.yahoo.com/J8kdrA/y20IAA/yQLSAA/BCfwlB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kumpulan/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
