Insurance

Women are keeping jobs, but still losing on pay and benefits

11/12/2009

If the Great Recession has an upside, it’s that women have experienced far less job loss than in previous downturns. Yet dark clouds could obscure the silver lining. According to a new report, women still earn just 77 cents on the dollar compared to men, and their jobs often come with paltry benefits.

The New York State Labor law amendments you need to know

11/09/2009

Despite a summer of political circus distractions in Albany, the New York Legislature continued to crank out laws that further regulate New York employers. Here are some recent changes to New York State laws that you need to take into consideration.

Offering extra leave beyond FMLA? You don’t have to extend job return rights

11/09/2009

Employees who take FMLA leave are entitled to be reinstated to their jobs if they return to work when their 12 weeks off expire. But many employers provide additional time off. But if employers grant that additional leave, they don’t have to reinstate the employee to the same or an equivalent position when she returns.

Your compensation & benefits questions answered

10/20/2009

Here’s a roundup of timely questions posed by readers of HR Specialist’s Compensation & Benefits newsletter. You’ll find answers on such hot topics as health insurance opt-out bonuses, differing pay structures for similar work, unemployment benefits for furloughed workers and paying for travel time.

‘Invisible Bracelet’ is Oklahoma’s newest benefit

10/16/2009

During open enrollment in October, state employees in Oklahoma had a chance to register for a new benefit that shares their health information with medical providers during an emergency via an "Invisible Bracelet." A handful of Oklahoma businesses are also signing up employees for the Invisible Bracelet as part of their health benefit.

Health insurance: Employees to pay higher portion of health benefits

10/07/2009

Premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance rose to an average $13,375 annually for family coverage this year, and employers are likely to pass even more of the cost to employees next year, according to a benchmark survey of employers. When asked about their plans for next year, 21% of employers said they are “very likely” to raise workers’ premium contributions.

A HITECH world: New law expands HIPAA enforcement power

10/05/2009

The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, signed into law on Feb. 17, 2009, was designed to advance the use of health information technology, such as electronic health records. Among other important aspects, the HITECH Act expands the scope and enforcement power of HIPAA, with greater penalties for noncompliance.

Despite docs’ best efforts, novel health plan succumbs

10/05/2009

Last year, Ohio doctors who were fed up with health insurance companies started The Physicians Assurance Corporation (TPAC). Designed to serve the employer-provided health insurance market, it featured low premiums, aggressive disease management—and an enthusiastic cadre of physicians. But TPAC lasted less than 10 months.

New health coverage rules for dependent kids start Nov. 8

10/02/2009

A new federal law takes effect Nov. 8 that extends eligibility for group health insurance coverage to some dependent children age 18 or older who are higher-education students.

‘Michelle’s Law’ kicks in Nov. 8: New health insurance rules for dependent kids

09/29/2009

A new federal law takes effect Nov. 8 that extends eligibility for group health insurance coverage to certain dependent children over age 18 who are enrolled in institutions of higher education.