Insurance

Don’t let managers hire or fire based on family health costs

03/01/2005

Issue: Can you terminate, or refuse to hire, people based on their impact to your health plan?
Risk: Employees have two paths to sue you for such cost-trimming employment actions. …

Expand your benefit options; more insurers offer HSA plans

03/01/2005

Issue: More health insurance companies are offering plans that include Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).
Benefit: HSA popularity will take off in 2005-2006. And more insurers will translate into better plan …

Cut prescription expenses by comparing prices online

02/01/2005

More independent Web sites now evaluate prices of generic and brand name drugs, as well as prices at online and brick-and-mortar pharmacies. Check the drug costs of your organization’s health plan, …

Workers’ comp leave doesn’t stop ‘FMLA clock’

01/01/2005

Q. An employee took FMLA leave Sept. 1 due to job stress. In October, she had an operation for carpal tunnel syndrome. Workers’ comp ruled that her absence was work-related and it dated her workers’ comp claim back to Sept. 3. So, they’re now saying that her FMLA leave won’t start until she is officially released from workers’ comp. Do we need to keep a job open for her indefinitely? —F.W., Nevada

Unemployment claim hangs on seasonal staff duration

12/01/2004

Q. If our company hires seasonal employees for the holidays and then releases them after the Christmas rush, are we responsible as the last employer that will have an unemployment insurance claim placed against it? —B.B., New York

Whip your COBRA notices into shape for the new year

12/01/2004

Issue: If your health plan operates on a calendar-year basis, it must meet new COBRA notification rules starting Jan. 1.
Risk: Using outdated notices could result in fines up to …

Skeptical of ‘Spouse’ on benefit plan? Ask for proof

11/01/2004

Q. A few of our employees have added their spouses to our health benefits plan. We’ve heard through the grapevine that some of these “couples” aren’t actually married. Can we check on this without being discriminatory? —L.C., Illinois

Review insurance policies for legally dangerous exclusions

10/01/2004

Issue: A poorly worded insurance policy can spark age discrimination lawsuits. Risk: If your policy excludes members of a protected class (age, race, gender, etc.)…

To cut costs, shed myths about staff returning from injury

10/01/2004

Issue: Common misconceptions exist about how to handle employees returning from injury leave. Benefit: By looking deeper into these return-to-work myths …

Study insurance policies for legally hazardous exclusions

09/01/2004

Probe the fine print on terms and conditions of employee benefits plans and other insurance policies covering employees. And if you’re shopping around for new coverage, pay attention to provisions or …