Insurance

Brace yourself: Health care reform passage will affect HR

03/24/2010

President Obama’s signature on the landmark Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act may not bring an end to partisan bickering about health care reform, but it does signal the start of big changes for HR. Here’s a rundown of the new law’s long-term effects on employer-provided health insurance — and several provisions you’ll need to deal with right away.

Base health communication strategies on 5 behavioral quirks

03/19/2010

When researchers at HR consulting giant Towers Watson were compiling new stats on 2010 employer health care costs, they uncovered some fascinating findings from the world of behavioral economics that innovative employers are applying to their health communication efforts. As you look for ways to encourage employees to be active, informed consumers of the health benefits you offer, see how many you can incorporate into your own communication plans.

The health care affordability gap continues to rise

03/15/2010

According to Towers Watson’s 2010 Health Care Cost Survey of 552 employers, health costs (insurance and out-of-pocket expenses) are outpacing inflation at record-high levels. The average employee will pay $400 more for health insurance this year than in 2009, bringing the annual average total to $2,487. Employers are paying more to offer health benefits, too.

COBRA subsidy extended through end of March

03/09/2010

President Obama has signed legislation to extend until March 31 eligibility for the 65%, 15-month COBRA premium subsidy to individuals who have involuntarily lost their jobs. It’s the second time the subsidy has been extended. Will it be the last?

Feds push back deadline for reporting payments to Medicare beneficiaries

03/02/2010

The federal government’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has postponed implementation of new regs that would have required employers to report any medical benefits payments to employees who are eligible for Medicare. Despite the delay, you need to know about this new requirement if you’re self-insured or pay deductibles on Employment Practices Liability Insurance.

New contract: Pay up, insurance costs down for AT&T employees

03/01/2010

The Communication Workers of America union has inked a new collective-bargaining agreement with AT&T, bringing 9% pay increases over three years to some 35,000 phone company employees in the Southeast.

Obama’s last-ditch health care reform proposal would affect HR

02/23/2010

Ahead of this week’s summit between the White House and Congressional Republicans and Democrats, President Obama has released his last-gasp proposal for reforming the nation’s health care system. Several elements of the new plan could affect HR—if the proposal ever becomes law.

Aurora trucking firm sued for bilking employees on benefits

02/16/2010

The U.S. Department of Labor has sued Mid-State Express, alleging that the trucking company collected health care premiums from its employees, but never actually used them to buy insurance. As a result, employees face more than $3 million in unpaid medical bills.

New Jersey Senate rejects gay-marriage bill

01/21/2010

Gay marriage proponents suffered a major setback when the New Jersey Senate rejected a gay marriage bill in a 20-14 vote. Supporters had hoped to get the bill passed before Gov. Jon Corzine left office on Jan. 19. Newly sworn-in Gov. Christopher Christie opposes it.

10 ways to welcome vets into your workforce

01/19/2010

More than 400,000 U.S. citizens retire or separate from the military every year—and most of them look for jobs when they do. Companies such as Union Pacific Railroad, GE and Home Depot actively recruit veterans. Your organization could probably benefit from hiring military veterans. To attract them, align your recruiting and employee benefits with their needs.