Today's News from BenefitsLink

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The BenefitsLink Newsletter -
Welfare Plans Edition

December 3, 2001 - 6,718 subscribers

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8th Cir. Upholds Missouri Law Prohibiting HMOs From Limiting Quantity of Drugs Provided to Enrollees
Excerpt: "The Court of Appeals agreed with the [Department of Insurance] and held that HMOs are insurers.... Thus, at least for now and at least in Missouri, patient access has trumped measures instituted by HMOs to control pharmacy costs." (Medscape; free registration required)

Oakland Calif. to Require Contractors to Provide Domestic Partner Benefits
Excerpt: "The ordinance, sponsored by Councilman Danny Wan, will apply to all contractors who do at least $25,000 worth of business with the city and who already pay for benefits for their employees' spouses." (Los Angeles Times)

Medicare Prescription Drug Cards: What Are They? What Are They Worth?
Webcast of presentations made on November 19, 2001. (Alliance for Health Reform)

Mental Health Parity Nearing Crucial Vote
Excerpt: "'Parity' in health care coverage for the mentally ill is the issue that brought the former first lady from Georgia, newsman Mike Wallace from New York City and an assortment of lawmakers out of their offices on a damp, gray day. They are pushing for final passage of legislation, approved by the Senate and now in a conference committee with the House, to ban disparities in coverage ..." (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution via IFEBP)

Kentucky Department of Insurance Warns of "ERISA Exempt" Health Insurance Fraud
Excerpt: "Calling themselves 'ERISA exempt,' 'ERISA plans,' 'union plans,' 'association plans,' or some variation thereof, these entities boast low rates and minimal or no underwriting. Remember, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. There is a good chance that these entities are not legitimately exempt from state laws, but instead are offering unlicensed health insurance." (Kentucky Department of Insurance)

(Following items are in both editions of the BenefitsLink Newsletter)

2002 Annual Reporting & Disclosure Calendar for Benefit Plans
Useful drop-down menus, providing links to summaries of legal reporting and disclosure requirements. (The Segal Company)

Now, Is Even the Boss Taking a Hit?
Excerpt: "Now that performance-based pay for executives seems to be the new trend, the debate over whether the pay cuts are real or just smoke and mirrors is in full swing." (New York Times via Yahoo!)

Kodak Plans Stock Option Exchange
Excerpt: "Photography leader Eastman Kodak Co. (EK.N) on Friday said it would offer employees the right to exchange stock options for new ones with lower strike prices following the long slide in the company's stock price." (Reuters via FindLaw.com)

Newly Posted or Renewed Job Openings ( Post Yours! )

Executive Benefits Managing Consultants

for Aggressive Growth Compensation and Benefits Consulting Firm
in ALL STATES

Pension Plan Accountant, or Actuary

for Retirement Plan Administration Firm Handling All Aspects of Administration
in PA

1st Class Benefits Consulting Opportunity

for Actuarial, Benefits and Compensation Consulting Firm
in ALL STATES

Pension Plan Administrator

for Palmer Pension Services, Inc.
in GA

Pension Administrator

for Thomas, Doll & Company, CPAs
in CA

BENEFITS ANALYST

for Safeway Inc.
in CA

Plan Administrator/Consultant

for Simpkins & Associates
in TX

Pension/401(k) Administrator

for Cache Pension Services, Inc.
in AK, NV

Newly Posted Conferences ( Post Yours! )

21st Introduction to International Employee Benefits

in on February 25, 2002
presented by IBIS, International Benefits Information Service