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Insurance

Health care: Start preparing now for new mental health parity rules

08/04/2009

The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 takes effect beginning Oct. 3, ushering in a new era of health insurance coverage—and potentially higher costs for employers. Is your mental health coverage on a par with your coverage for physical conditions? Now’s the time to begin working with your carrier or broker to integrate your plan coverage.

More cost-sharing coming as health care costs rise

07/28/2009

Even after the economy recorded its worst contraction in a quarter-century, health care costs for the nation’s employers are expected to grow by another 9% next year, according to a new study. Employers say they plan to push more of the costs of insurance to their workers in 2010, while expecting greater responsibility from workers for managing their personal health.

Debate heats up over health reform, taxing benefits

06/26/2009

Congress and the Obama administration began laying the groundwork last month for an overhaul of the U.S. health care system. The big question: How to pay for it?

Survey: New COBRA subsidy will increase costs

06/26/2009

Six of 10 employers anticipate that their health care costs will increase as a result of the new federal COBRA subsidy law, says an Aon Consulting survey.

Caution before offering ‘retire or be fired’

06/26/2009

Here’s something to keep in mind when you are tempted to give an employee a choice between termination and early retirement: He may allege that the retirement option was really a constructive discharge.

New bill seeks to cover second opinions under ERISA

06/26/2009

Rep. Susan Davis (D-Calif.) recently introduced a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives that would add mandatory coverage for second opinions on medical treatments under several laws, including ERISA.

Congress begins debate on paid-leave bill; Obama OKs same-sex benefits for federal workers

06/22/2009

Legislation recently introduced in Congress would require employers with 15 or more workers to provide at least seven days of paid sick leave per employee per year. The so-called “Healthy Families Act” would guarantee workers at least one paid hour off for every 30 hours worked.

Always consider how jury might see retroactive actions

06/12/2009

The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled in a long-running case that a jury acted properly when it concluded an employer’s retroactive termination of health insurance violated the FMLA.

COBRA subsidy available even after ‘involuntary’ termination

06/05/2009

Under the massive new federal economic stimulus law, employees who suffer an “involuntary termination” have to pay just 35% of the cost of COBRA continuation health care coverage. Employers cover the rest and then the government reimburses them. But what does “involuntary termination” mean?

Small institution tackles big premium hikes

06/05/2009

When the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management got socked with back-to-back health premium increases of 21.9% and 19% in 2004 and 2005, respectively, its HR execs knew it was up to them to help the employees get healthy.