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=========================================================== BenefitsLink Welfare Plans Newsletter (Plain Text Format) September 22, 2004 =========================================================== We thank and invite your attention to today's sponsor: IQPC =========================================================== Conference on Healthcare Cost Containment Strategies for Employers (Advert.) <URL:http://benefitslink.com/cgi/a_d.cgi?a_d=2004_09_22_welfare> http://benefitslink.com/cgi/a_d.cgi?a_d=2004_09_22_welfare (Click on above address, or copy and paste it into your web browser, to learn more.) Proven Strategies for Reducing your Healthcare Costs, Maintaining Healthy Employees and Sustaining a Competitive Benefits Package October 25 - 27th, 2004 * Chateau Sonesta Hotel * New Orleans, LA This must-attend event will provide you with real-time strategies and solutions in lowering your healthcare costs. Hear first-hand case studies on how to implement innovative techniques to ensure healthy employees while maintaining a competitive benefits package, and walk away with practical knowledge enabling your company to become a market leader in healthcare cost containment. (Please visit our sponsors. We try to make sure their products and services will be of interest to you. Thanks! --Editor) ---------------------------------------------------------- Uninsured Patients Often Face Big Markups for Hospital Stays <URL:http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2004/09/21/financial1020EDT0063.DTL> http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2004/09/21/financial1020EDT0063.DTL Excerpt: "How much does an overnight stay at a Virginia hospital cost? If Medicaid is paying, the answer is $6,000. If Paul Shipman is paying, it's $29,500." (Wall Street Journal via SFGate.com) ---------------------------------------------------------- Lewin Group Presents an Independent Comparison of the Bush and Kerry Health Proposals <URL:http://www.lewin.com/Spotlights/Features/Lewin_Candidates_Health_Plan_Analysis.htm> http://www.lewin.com/Spotlights/Features/Lewin_Candidates_Health_Plan_Analysis.htm Excerpt: "The Lewin Group presented an independent comparative analysis of the proposed health plans of President George W. Bush and Senator John F. Kerry on September 21, 2004, at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. The Lewin analysis entitled, Bush and Kerry Health Care Proposals: Cost and Coverage Compared, centered on two key questions: �[coverage and cost]." (The Lewin Group) ---------------------------------------------------------- Opinion: Bush and Kerry on Health Care Reform: Fiscal Responsibility and Expanded Coverage <URL:http://www.healthleaders.com/news/feature58433.html> http://www.healthleaders.com/news/feature58433.html Excerpt: "President George W. Bush and Sen. John Kerry face very different challenges in crafting a healthcare platform." (John Harkey, Ph. D., for HealthLeaders News) ---------------------------------------------------------- Blues Health Plans Remain Under Fire in States for What Some Call 'Excessive' Reserves <URL:http://www.aispub.com/Bnow/092204a.html> http://www.aispub.com/Bnow/092204a.html Excerpt: "It may seem more likely for health insurers to find themselves on the hot seat for inadequate reserves -- but Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans in several states find themselves under fire for what some consumer groups, legislators and regulators are calling excessive reserve levels." (AISHealth.com) ---------------------------------------------------------- Project to Collect & Publish HIPAA Data Requirements' Lists is Activated <URL:http://www.healthdatamanagement.com/html/PortalStory.cfm?type=hipaa&DID=11967> http://www.healthdatamanagement.com/html/PortalStory.cfm?type=hipaa&DID=11967 Excerpt: "...the HIPAA Transactions Convergence Project has been formed to assist the health care industry in creating a common set of HIPAA transactions requirements. The goal of the HIPAA Transactions Convergence Project is to help payers and others to converge--or make more uniform--their unique data requirements for claims and related transactions." (Health Data Management) ---------------------------------------------------------- Denial of LTD Benefits Proper Where Beneficiary Failed To Submit Proof of Her Claim <URL:http://www.aspenpublishers.com/frame.asp?source=feature0921> http://www.aspenpublishers.com/frame.asp?source=feature0921 Excerpt: "An insurance company properly denied a beneficiary's claim for long term disability benefits where the beneficiary failed to submit proof of her claim despite repeated requests by the insurer. This was the ruling of the Tenth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Allison v. UNUM Life Insurance Company of America (No. 03-5052)." (Spencer Benefits Reports) ---------------------------------------------------------- Working Mother Magazine's 2004 report of the 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers <URL:http://www.workingwoman.com/100BEST_2004.html> http://www.workingwoman.com/100BEST_2004.html The 19th annual report on family-friendly winners includes a chart that compares the benefits at all 100 companies. (Working Mother) ---------------------------------------------------------- Companies Are Expanding Services for Working Mothers <URL:http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/health/AP-FIT-Working-Mother.html> http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/health/AP-FIT-Working-Mother.html Excerpt: "General Mills is among a host of companies that have expanded services for working mothers beyond just maternity leave and flexible hours, according to Working Mother magazine, which released its 19th annual list Tuesday of the 100 best companies for working mothers." (AP via The New York Times; one-time registration required) ---------------------------------------------------------- 'Investigational' Treatments See Cutbacks By Health Insurance Plans <URL:http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/healthcare/nw/nw004630.php3> http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/healthcare/nw/nw004630.php3 Excerpt: "Health plans may not provide coverage for treatments considered 'investigational' or 'experimental.' But Mohit Ghose, a spokesman for America's Health Insurance Plans, a Washington-based trade association, said covered treatments 'are usually negotiated with employers, based on what an employer wants to have covered or not.'" (The Kansas City Star via The Foundation for Taxpayer & Consumer Rights) ---------------------------------------------------------- A Consumer's Guide to Getting and Keeping Health Insurance in the District of Columbia (Updated) <URL:http://www.healthinsuranceinfo.net/dc00.html> http://www.healthinsuranceinfo.net/dc00.html Excerpt: "The Georgetown University Health Policy Institute has written A CONSUMER GUIDE FOR GETTING AND KEEPING HEALTH INSURANCE for each state and the District of Columbia � fifty-one in all. These Consumer Guides are available at this web site [http://www.healthinsuranceinfo.net/] and will be updated periodically as changes in federal and state policy warrant." (Georgetown University Health Policy Institute) ========================================================== Links To Items on Executive Comp, Benefits In General ---------------------------------------------------------- Discussion on the Application of the QDRO Rules to Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Arrangements <URL:http://www.bnatax.com/tm/insights_NovCPJ.htm> http://www.bnatax.com/tm/insights_NovCPJ.htm Transcript. Excerpt: "The topic centers on the application of the qualified domestic relations order (QDRO) rules to nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements (e.g., 'top-hat' plans), and the tax implications that result from the division and the transfer of a portion of a participant's nonqualified deferred compensation to a former spouse in connection with divorce." (BNA Tax Management) ---------------------------------------------------------- US Airways Pilot Pay Would Be Cut 20% Under Newest Management Proposal <URL:http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/business/AP-US-Airways-Unions.html> http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/business/AP-US-Airways-Unions.html Excerpt: "US Airways pilots would take pay cuts totaling 19.5 percent and senior officers could lose job protections under a new proposal advanced by the cash-strapped company, which is now flying under bankrup.tcy protection." (AP via The New York Times; one-time registration required) ---------------------------------------------------------- US Airways Tightens Salary Screws on Unions <URL:http://pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/trib/regional/s_253699.html> http://pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/trib/regional/s_253699.html Excerpt: "Bankrupt US Airways is seeking bigger employee givebacks in new concession proposals it is presenting to its four major unions. Labor leaders said the company will seek to impose the new terms on workers when it asks a federal judge to terminate labor contracts." (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review) ---------------------------------------------------------- Overview of DOL's Draft USERRA Regulations <URL:http://www.benefitscounsel.com/archives/001202.html> http://www.benefitscounsel.com/archives/001202.html Excerpt: "The Department of Labor (DOL) announced that it has published draft regulations that interpret the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Act of 1994 (USERRA). The regulations are in Question and Answer format.' This blog notes the Health Plan Coverage and Pension plan benefit issues covered in the draft regulations. (Attorney B. Janell Grenier on BenefitsBlog.com) ---------------------------------------------------------- DOL Proposes Rules to Clarify Job Protections for Reservists Under USERRA <URL:http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/nation/9716933.htm> http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/nation/9716933.htm Excerpt: "The Bush administration proposed new regulations yesterday aimed at clarifying employment protections for veterans and reservists returning from active duty." (AP via The Philadelphia Inquirer; one-time registration required) ---------------------------------------------------------- Overview: Section 404 Compliance in the Annual Reports of Publicly Traded Companies <URL:http://www.aicpa.org/pubs/jofa/oct2004/ramos.htm> http://www.aicpa.org/pubs/jofa/oct2004/ramos.htm Excerpt: "Under Sarbanes-Oxley there are new requirements for including information on internal controls in a publicly traded company's annual report. The rules say management must be able to identify in these reports any control issues that exist." (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants) ---------------------------------------------------------- Telecommuting Rises Among the Executive Ranks <URL:http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2004/09/21/financial1021EDT0064.DTL> http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2004/09/21/financial1021EDT0064.DTL Excerpt: "Telecommuting, once primarily the domain of lower-level and technical employees, increasingly is moving into the senior management ranks. The reasons driving the trend are diverse: Faster broadband Internet connections between home and office; the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks, which made companies recognize the value of placing executives apart geographically to help reduce disruptions; and managers' increasing comfort with the idea of working remotely." (Wall Street Journal via SFGate.com) ========================================================== Newly Posted Events 401(k) Plan Best Practices for Decision Makers Nationwide on September 30, 2004 presented by PLANSPONSOR <URL:http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=38765> http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=38765 401(k) Plans in Washington on September 28, 2004 presented by Employee Benefits Institute of America Inc. (EBIA) <URL:http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=38761> http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=38761 ERISA Update Seminar : "Hot" Pension Topics, Plan Design, Current Events and Mergers & Acquisitions in Florida on November 12, 2004 presented by GrayRobinson, P.A. <URL:http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=38767> http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=38767 Fiduciary Liability, The Line in the Sand - A Workbook Session to Create & Update Your Investment Policy Statement. Nationwide on September 23, 2004 presented by PLANSPONSOR <URL:http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=38763> http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=38763 How to Determine & Lower Your 401(k) Plan Fees Nationwide on October 7, 2004 presented by PLANSPONSOR <URL:http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=38766> http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=38766 PLANSPONSOR Pathfinder Demo - for Advisors Nationwide on September 22, 2004 presented by PLANSPONSOR <URL:http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=38762> http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=38762 PLANSPONSOR Pathfinder Demo - for Plan Sponsors Nationwide on September 28, 2004 presented by PLANSPONSOR <URL:http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=38764> http://benefitslink.com/events/detail.php?id=38764 Post yours! http://benefitslink.com/events/eventmaint.php ========================================================== Newly Posted Press Releases McKay Hochman Cafeteria Plan Documents Now Available Online (McKay Hochman Co., Inc.) http://benefitslink.com/pr/detail.php?id=38321 2004 Participant Notice Released (Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC)) http://benefitslink.com/pr/detail.php?id=38317 PBGC Promotes Premium E-Filing (Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC)) http://benefitslink.com/pr/detail.php?id=38319 IRS Grants Tax Relief for Hurricane Ivan Victims (Internal Revenue Service (IRS)) http://benefitslink.com/pr/detail.php?id=38322 ICI Testifies in Support of Improvements to Retirement Plan Disclosure (Investment Company Institute) http://benefitslink.com/pr/detail.php?id=38323 ERISA Advisory Council to Hold September 2004 Meetings (U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Public Affairs, Washington, D.C.) http://benefitslink.com/pr/detail.php?id=38320 Moms Go to the Office to Reduce Stress; Working Mother Names 2004 List of 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers; Trends Include Increased Attention To Health and Wellness Programs (Working Mother Media) http://benefitslink.com/pr/detail.php?id=38318 DataDeed Now Offered As An Employee Benefit (ad hoc America, Inc.) http://benefitslink.com/pr/detail.php?id=38324 Post yours! http://benefitslink.com/pr/maint.php ========================================================== Newly Posted or Renewed Job Openings Retirement Consultant for Towers Perrin in CT, DC, GA, MA, NC, NJ, NY, PA http://benefitslink.com/modperl/show_a_job.cgi?database_id=H38844 Benefit Specialist for ProView in CA http://benefitslink.com/modperl/show_a_job.cgi?database_id=H40579 Retirement Consulting Actuary for Hand Benefits & Trust in TX http://benefitslink.com/modperl/show_a_job.cgi?database_id=H40582 Actuarial Assistant for Hand Benefits & Trust in TX http://benefitslink.com/modperl/show_a_job.cgi?database_id=H40583 Enrolled Actuary for Actuarial Consultants, Inc. in CA http://benefitslink.com/modperl/show_a_job.cgi?database_id=H40584 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. 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