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A standard health plan identifier proposed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) could cost health plans a total of up to $1.3 billion to implement. The proposed rules, released April 9, would establish a unique health plan identifier (HPID) for HIPAA-covered health plans (both group health plans and insurers), and an […]
Last month, Diversity Insight writer Tammy Binford explored the legal issues involved when employees must juggle work and special-needs parenting collide. Now, she looks at how employers can help their employees balance work and their obligations as parents of special needs children. By Tammy Binford Parents of children with special needs often look for support […]
When you face multiple employment-related claims brought by the same individual, a “global” settlement of the claims holds obvious appeal. Who wouldn’t want to cap their costs and avoid lengthy litigation?
The outcome in this case should remind employers that even with stop-loss (S-L) in place, a self-insured health plan is risky business. Trouble for the Claire’s Stores health plan started in the form of a premature birth, which generated about $1 million in charges. Under the terms of its S-L contract, the plan had to […]
Final rules that will govern the state-based insurance exchanges created by health reform include more detailed privacy and security requirements for the exchanges themselves and participating insurers. These restrictions also will apply indirectly to agents, brokers and others involved in this process. In the rules, published March 27 (77 Fed. Reg. 18310), the U.S. Department […]
Getting good results from an employee wellness program requires a continuing organizational commitment and understanding of what motivates individual employees, wellness expert Brad Cooper told a recent Thompson Interactive webinar. He warned of some common wellness program pitfalls. One is a “check-the box” approach — such as setting up a biometric screening and distributing a […]
Federal offices have to follow federal travel guidelines, and federal rates form the basis of tax treatment of private sector business travel reimbursements as well. But what happens when the federal government agency that develops travel policy goes astray from its own guidelines? The report by GSA Inspector General (IG) Brian D. Miller said that […]
Fortney is a co-founder of law firm Fortney & Scott, LLC in Washington, DC, and is editor of the Federal Employment Law Insider. He made his remarks about FWAs at SHRM’s Employment Law and Legislative Conference, held recently in the nation’s capitol. Well-Meaning, But Dangerous As an example of the problems with FWAs, says Fortney, […]
Fortney is a co-founder of law firm Fortney & Scott, LLC in Washington, DC, and is editor of the Federal Employment Law Insider. He made his remarks about FWAs at SHRM’s Employment Law and Legislative Conference, held recently in the nation’s capitol. What Are Flexible Workplace Arrangements? First, says Fortney, here are the typical alternatives […]
Preparing Staff to Handle Questions/Concerns Preparing staff to handle participant questions and concerns is of paramount importance because ineffective answers can lead to mistrust, morale issues, and compliance scrutiny. It may even lead to legal challenges under ERISA. To avoid these problems, prepare supervisors and staff. Invite your investment advisor or a representative of the […]