Gemini Group News
DECEMBER 2008 HR INSIDER BULLETIN
Several Federal Changes Will Affect HR Next Year ● Specialty Drugs, ‘Freebies’ Add to Employer Costs ● AHIP Makes a Move; Consensus on Reform Grows ● IRS Notes ● Making Up the Difference ● New Smoke Out
NOVEMBER 2008 HR INSIDER BULLETIN
Expert: Obama Will Ease into Health Reforms ● Companies Must Commit, Do Some Homework to Make Consumer-Driven Plans Succeed ● Successful Programs Require Cash, Encouragement ● Less Turkey Time ● Retirement Plan Limit ● New FMLA Rules
OCTOBER 2008 HR INSIDER BULLETIN
Employers Struggle to Digest Market Turmoil ● Congress Passes Mental Health, ADA Amendments ● Wellness, Value-Based Plans, Videos Top ’09 Trends ● IRS Guidance Eegarding 409A and FSA Requirements ● Medicare Deadline ● E-Prescribing Cost Saver
SEPTEMBER 2008 HR INSIDER BULLETIN
Employers Eye CDHPs, Wellness to Curb Costs ● Current Litigation May Spawn More of the Same ● U.S. Uninsured Rate Dips; Effect on Costs Unknown ● Are Older Workers More Vulnerable During the Current Economic Downturn? ● HIPAA complaints Resolved Without Any Investigation ● IRS Issues Revision Regarding Parents Who Are Divorced, Separated or Living Apart
AUGUST 2008 HR INSIDER BULLETIN
Studies Predict Slower Premium & Cost Growth; Employers Still Suffering ● DOL proposes new fee-disclosure rule ● ‘Hardship Withdrawals’ Signal Tough Times ● New Wellness Program Research by Insurance Firm Guardian ● U.S. Court of Appeals Declares Impaired Sexual Ability Ruling ● Employers Bracing for Retirement Boom
JULY 2008 HR INSIDER BULLETIN
Employers’ Adjustments Help Workforce Reduce Anxiety of Rising Prices ● Gap Widens between Retirement Needs, Savings ● Groups Keep Health Care Reform Agenda Alive ● HB 1355 ● CMS Updated Disclosure Notices for Medicare Part D Eligible Individuals ● 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Reiterates ERISA Intranet Site Rule ● President Bush Signs Mental Health Parity Act’s Sunset Date Legislation ● New Jersey Legislation Allows Employees’ Children to Retain Coverage Until Age 31 ● 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Makes Text Messages Ruling
JUNE 2008 HR INSIDER BULLETIN
Rocky Road Ahead for Health Care Reform; Employer Role Uncertain ● Heroes Act Impacts Group Plans ● Benefits Communications to Take Center Stage ● Gemini’s Newest Group Department Team Member ● 2009 HSA Maximum Contributions Increase For 2009 ● The President’s Council on Physical Fitness & Sports Introduces Adult Fitness Test ● Open For Business Now Available in Spanish As Well As English
MAY 2008 HR INSIDER BULLETIN
Cost Trend Declines As CDHP Enrollment Grows; Health Education Vital ● Workplace Wellness Programs on Rise in 2008 ● Wellness Programs, Tools Help Control Costs ● IRS Changes to Health Savings Accounts Policy ● The New Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act
APRIL 2008 HR INSIDER BULLETIN
Independent Group Urges Health Overhaul to Relieve Small Business ● Workplace Shifts to Financial Supermarket; Employers on Board with Retirement Help ● Employers Strategize to Keep Older Workers ● Small Businesses Retirement Plan Design Resource From the Government Available Online
MARCH 2008 HR INSIDER BULLETIN
Supreme Court Gives Workers Green Light to Sue Over Losses ● Coalition Fights Chronic Ills to Lower Employers’ Rising Healthcare Costs ● Value-Based Plans Move into Dentistry ● U.S. Chamber of Commerce Releases Annual Study of Benefits
FEBRUARY 2008 HR INSIDER BULLETIN
Insurer Debuts Plan to Tackle Coverage for All Americans ● Mix of Culture Change, Benefits Design, Education Enable CDHP Sustained Savings ● IRS Sends 5500/5500-EZ Delinquency Notices ● Meet Dallin Lee Littlejohn ● BLR Offers Employers Free Employee Attitude Survey ● DOL Issues Checklist on Final Wellness Program Rules
JANUARY 2008 HR INSIDER BULLETIN
Wellness Works . . . When It’s Available ● Access to, Cost of Healthcare Top Trends ● Will More Data Create Better Healthcare Shoppers ● IRS Approves Physicals, Body Scans, and Pregnancy Tests
DECEMBER 2007 HR INSIDER BULLETIN
Employers to Review §125 Plans to Comply with New Regulations ● Workers Want Control of Healthcare Destiny ● What’s the Next Stage for CDHC? ● A Full End to End Human Resource Management System a Mouse Click Away ● Happy Holidays!
NOVEMBER 2007 HR INSIDER BULLETIN
Americans Embrace Workplace Wellness To Battle Rising Costs ● Healthy People Key to Productive America ● USCIS Releases Revised I-9 Form, Handbook ● New Gemini Group Department Member ● Coalition Unveils Auto Enrollment Education Site ● New Interactive Web Tool Helps Employers Comply with Retirement Laws ● IRS Unveils 401(k) ‘Cool’ Compliance Tool
OCTOBER 2007 HR INSIDER BULLETIN
CDHC Movement Grows, Delivers on ‘Promise’ as Employees’ Fears Lessen ● Open Enrollment Shifts into Customization ● Healthcare Reform Forces New Roles for Insurers ● DOL Releases Advance Copies of Revised Form 5500 ● Gemini Group is Still Growing ● New, Exciting 401(k) Services ● Gemini To Introduce Online Employment Practice Technology
SEPTEMBER 2007 HR INSIDER BULLETIN
Everyone Feels Pinch as Healthcare Premiums Continue Upward Trend ● Firms Work to Adjust Healthcare Culture ● Retirement Savings Fall as Benefits Costs Rise ● Gemini Group is Growing ● DHS Regulation ‘On Hold’ ● Medicare Noncreditable Coverage Notice Contains Error
AUGUST 2007 HR INSIDER BULLETIN
Post-Retiree Benefits Help Retain Aging Workforce ● New, Proposed Rules Alter Benefit Programs, Administration
JULY 2007 HR INSIDER BULLETIN
Reforming Healthcare Moves to Center Stage As Elections Heat Up ● Employers Must Move Beyond Cost-Shifting ● Mentoring Keeps Younger Workers on Board ● What actions can be taken if an employer fails to file a Form 5500? ● Changes to EEO-1 Report due September 30, 2007 ● Web page offers HR Managers Resources on SS programs
JUNE 2007 HR INSIDER BULLETIN
Employers May Have New Tool to Redesign Retiree Health Plans ● Employers Encourage Healthier Lives ● Employees Need More Healthcare Education ● TEAM GEMINI Rides Again ● When Should Employers Make ‘Comparable’ Contributions?
MAY 2007 HR INSIDER BULLETIN
Decision-Support Tools Help Consumers Make Sound Health Decisions ● Annual Enrollment Requires Communication Campaign ● Healthcare Market Supports Value-Driven Initiative ● HSA Contributions Limits to Increase in 2008 ● DOL Releases Overtime Calculator ● Washington to Implement Paid Family Leave
APRIL 2007 HR INSIDER BULLETIN
Lack of Coherent Info Confuses Employees, Stunts CDHP Growth ● Companies Rethink Jobs as Boomers Age ● Healthcare Reform Goes Beyond Cost-Sharing ● IRS Releases Transition Relief for Debit-Card Users ● 9 Tips to Retain Your Best Workers ● Access Database of 2,000 Job Candidates with Disabilities
MARCH 2007 HR INSIDER BULLETIN
Talent Trumps Cost As Top Benefit Concern ● Employers Push Wellness to Reduce Costs, Maintain Healthy Workforce ● ‘Creative Gimmicks’ Increase DC Enrollment ● Chamber: Benefits Costs Account for 44% of Payroll ● CMS Issues HIPAA Security Guidance ● NAIC debuts Insure U website for Spanish-speakers
FEBRUARY 2007 HR INSIDER BULLETIN
Employers to Embrace Multicultural Marketing, Improve ‘Disconnect’ in 401(k) Education ● ‘Progressive’ Employers Find Better Ways To Finance Employee Benefits in Future ● Benefits Can Improve Business Success ● OSHA Reminds Employers to Post Workplace Injury Summaries ● OSHA Releases Pandemic Guidance ● FDA Approves First Nonprescription Diet Drug ● DOL Mandates Electronic Filing for Form 5500 in 2008 ● Spectacular Snowshoe Trip Brings Team Gemini Together Again
JANUARY 2007 HR INSIDER BULLETIN
Perfect Storm Brews as Employers, Networks Face Key Health Issues ● Experimental Wellness Program Shows ‘Good Faith’ in Health Outcomes, Costs ● Workforce Managers to Tackle 2007 Issues ● San Francisco’s Paid Sick Time Law Effective Feb. 5, 2007 ● DOL Offers Good-Faith Guidelines for Individual Benefit Statements
DECEMBER 2006 HR INSIDER BULLETIN
Congress Overhauls HSAs to Promote Participation in 2007 ● Leavitt Asks Employers to Commit to Healthcare Quality, Cost Criteria ● New Year To Bring Healthcare Changes ● Feds Clarify HIPAA Rules for Wellness Rewards in 2007
NOVEMBER 2006 HR INSIDER BULLETIN
PHRs Enable Consumers To Track Health History, Make Better Choices ● Healthcare Costs Reduce Retirement Savings ● New Act Affects TRICARE Recipients ● Six States Raise Minimum Wage ● PwC: Health Plan Costs to Rise for 2007
OCTOBER 2006 HR INSIDER BULLETIN
Consumerism Creates Need for Debit Cards ● Employers’ Commitment Remains Strong ● Healthcare Scorecard Comes Up Short ● 2007 Forecast Reveals Modest Pay Raises ● Provide Notices of Creditable/Noncreditable Coverage by Nov. 14 ● Team Gemini Great Pumpkin Carve
SEPTEMBER 2006 HR INSIDER BULLETIN
Health, Employer Surveys Help Benefit Plans Stay Cost-Effective, Competitive ● Wellness Programs Offer Promising Results ● DC Plans to Dominate Workplace in 10 Years ● Minimum Wage Laws Multiply in States ● Higher Copays Don’t Deter Use of High-Cost Medication ● Provider Stops Offering Nexium ● Team Gemini Debut a Winner
AUGUST 2006 HR INSIDER BULLETIN
Pension Act Shores Up DB Plans ● Makes 401(k) Savings Automatic ● Contributions Must be ‘Comparable’ ● Employers Seek Help from Insurers ● Celebrate National 401(k) Day on September 8 ● Employers Flock to Federal Security Database
JULY 2006 HR INSIDER BULLETIN
CDHPs Show Positive Impact on Consumer Health Behavior ● More Employers Embrace Disease, Health Management Programs ● Differentiators Link Dental, General Health ● SHRM: Benefit Offerings Stay Stable
JUNE 2006 HR INSIDER BULLETIN
Some Employers Find Relief from Rising Healthcare Costs ● ‘New Retirement’ Era Shows Disconnect ● Decision-Support Tools Enable Consumers ● Employers Can Seek Reimbursement of Participant Recoveries ● Deadline for Bonus Deferral Election is June 30 ● Electronic Filing of PBGC Premiums Becomes Mandatory ● Deadline for Medicare Part D is September 30
MAY 2006 HR INSIDER BULLETIN
Differences in Benefits, Services Lessen among Large, Small Employers ● Life Stages Create Different Info Needs ● Flexibility Enhances Job Satisfaction, Productivity ● Employee Benefit Costs Consume 40% of Payroll Expenses ● HR.BLR: Compliance is Biggest Challenge for HR Managers
APRIL 2006 HR INSIDER BULLETIN
Execs See Link between Health Plans, Wellness- Quality Data Is Critical ● Employers Offer More Benefits in Tandem ● Financial Education Joins Employers’ Programs ● FDA Approves Inhaled Insulin for Diabetes ● Employers Take Second Look at HIPAA Privacy Rule ● HHS Clarifies Medical Info Release
MARCH 2006 HR INSIDER BULLETIN
Savvy Strategies Help Avoid Skill Shortages ● Retirement Security Worries Workforce ● Employers Get Creative with Benefit Packages ● Employers to Send HIPAA Privacy Notice by April 14, 2006, 2007 ● Employers Expect Health Benefit Costs to Slow in 2006
FEBRUARY 2006 HR INSIDER BULLETIN
Evidence: Consumer Healthcare Works ● Value-Based Benefits Initiative Allocates Resources to Employee Health Programs ● Companies Target Raises to Top Performers ● April 21 HIPAA Security Compliance Deadline Nears for Small Plans ● Employers to Post Injury/Illness Summary Beginning Feb. 1 ● New Jersey Extends Dependent Medical Coverage to Age 30
JANUARY 2006 HR INSIDER BULLETIN
2006 Trends Challenge Managements’ Skills ● Employers Implement Practices to Lower Costs ● Keep Employees Healthy, Productive ● Employers Tackle Rx Drug Coverage ● USERRA Final Regulations Take Effect January 18, 2006 ● CMS to Receive Disclosure of Creditable Coverage Info by March 31 ● Mental Health Parity Act Gets Extension until Dec. 31, 2006
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