Insurance

Cut health costs by dangling the right opt-out incentives

11/01/2005

Issue: Employee health premiums have jumped 73 percent since 2000 and are predicted to rise 10 percent more in 2006.
Benefit: Offering employees a lump-sum payout or other incentive to …

Heed looming deadline for Medicare drug-plan notices

10/01/2005

Issue: The 2003 Medicare reform law adds a new paperwork burden for some employers.
Risk: Failing to provide “creditable coverage notices” by Nov. 15 could bring unwanted heat from the …

Congress moves closer to association health plan

09/01/2005

This finally may be the year Congress authorizes association health plans, which would allow small businesses to participate in health insurance plans through trade associations that span state lines. The House …

You can use surveillance to spot workers’ comp fraud

09/01/2005

Q. How far can we go to make sure that employees aren’t taking advantage of our company while they’re out on workers’ comp leave? Can we, for example, call them at home to make sure they are resting and not out working another job or abusing the system? —D.V., Illinois

HIPAA Rules Aren’t Just For Doctors and Hospitals

08/01/2005

Q. I’d like to know if our company needs something like a HIPAA form for employees to sign when we release personal information to others. Is HIPAA only for the medical field? —B.B., New York

Stay distant from voluntary-benefits vendors

08/01/2005

There are many upsides to offering voluntary benefits such as long-term care insurance, prepaid legal services and pet insurance. However, if you link such programs too closely with your regular benefit plan, your organization could incur liability. Here are three ways to keep your distance.

Insurance

Cut health costs by dangling the right opt-out incentives

Heed looming deadline for Medicare drug-plan notices

Congress moves closer to association health plan

You can use surveillance to spot workers’ comp fraud

HIPAA Rules Aren’t Just For Doctors and Hospitals

Stay distant from voluntary-benefits vendors

Don’t use employee-leasing tactic to avoid UI taxes

Don’t overlook insurance-company freebies

Explain true health costs to employees; they’re clueless

Work with doctors to see if injury is related to work or age

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