Unum adds innovative benefit to support working parentsCompany will contribute to 529 plan for new children of employees
In This Political Season, Health Care Reform is a Business IssueHealth care is on the minds of many Americans, especially during the current political race in the United States. John Hammergren shares more.
COLONIAL LIFE SPONSORS SHRM EMPLOYEE BENEFITS SURVEYColonial Life is the exclusive sponsor of the Society for Human Resource Management’s 2008 Employee Benefits Survey.
Kristin Patt Joins Buck Consultants as DirectorKristin Patt has joined Buck Consultants as a Director in the firm's Minneapolis office.
Employees Without Access to Health Coverage Outside Work Are Far Less Likely to RetireRetirement Plan Coverage is also a Factor, According to Watson Wyatt
Tennessee Health Care Costs Increase in 2008Health insurance costs are rising across the country, and the health care industry is no exception. The 2008 Healthcare eSurvey – Tennessee results found the average premium increase was 10 percent for all plans. In contrast, the average premium increase found nationally for all industries was 11.1 percent.
Interference With Health Benefits Termination to prevent an employee from receiving health benefits? Hanft Law explains more.
An Affordable Health Insurance Option for Small- and Mid-sized CompaniesHealth insurance is not an affordable option for many small and mid-sized companies. Davis Liu explains how health care can be possible for smaller companies.
Paperless FSA AdministrationEast Providence, RI May 1, 2008 – Benefit Concepts, a leader in innovative benefits administration outsourcing solutions, today announced the implementation of their new paperless Reimbursement Benefits Account Administration service.
Ohio Health Care Costs Increase in 2008Health insurance costs are rising across the country, and the health care industry is no exception. The 2008 Healthcare eSurvey – Ohio results found the average premium increase was 9.6 percent for all plans. In contrast, the average premium increase found nationally for all industries was 11.1 percent.
Iowa Health Care Costs Increase in 2008Health insurance costs are rising across the country, and the health care industry is no exception. The 2008 Healthcare eSurvey – Iowa found the average premium increase was 13.8 percent for all plans. In contrast, the average premium increase found nationally for all industries was 11.1 percent.
Trade Shows RevisitedFinding new value in old tactics
The Web Wins: Workscape’s 2007 Annual Open Enrollment Study Underscores Overwhelming Preference The Web Wins: Workscape’s 2007 Annual Open Enrollment Study Underscores Overwhelming Preference for Web-Based Tools Consumer-directed health plans & self-service decision-support tools also on the rise
New "Wellness Score" from CIGNA Can Forecast Health Risks Years in AdvanceOnline questionnaire and sophisticated analytics predict future impact; combined with online coaching to help improve health.
So You Want to Have a Wellness Program?To attract top talent, offering solid health insurance certainly helps. M. Lee Smith Publishers shares more.
American Community Names Two Key ExecutivesAmerican Community names two key executives.
New White Paper Details Employment Challenges – and HR Outsourcing Solutions Responding to continuing employment challenges and changing regulatory compliance, California employers are expected to turn to Human Resources Outsourcing firms in record numbers in 2008.
Duane Lee has joined Buck Consultants as a Principal in the firm's Pittsburgh officeLee joins Buck from Hewitt Associates, where he served as Principal and Health Management Consulting Actuary. Prior to that, he spent 19 years with Buck.
Standing Out: Benefits That Impact RecruitmentThe number of Colorado and Utah organizations actively recruiting has increased over the last five years from 81.9 percent to include nearly all companies. In this competitive market, employers must look to a variety of benefits to stand out.
Standing Out: Benefits That Impact RecruitmentThe number of Arizona, New Mexico and Nevada organizations actively recruiting has increased over the last five years from 89.5 to 98.8 percent. In this competitive market, employers must look to a variety of benefits to stand out.
Employers Enhancing 401(k)s To Compensate for Retirement Plan ChangesEmployers Enhancing 401(k)s To Compensate for Retirement Plan Changes,Watson Wyatt FindsHybrid Plans Are Increasingly Attractive Alternative
Coordination of Retiree Health Benefits with Medicare and State Health BenefitsOn December 26, 2007, the EEOC published its final rule permitting an exemption from the ADEA for employers who offer retiree health care benefits that coordinate with Medicare. Littler Mendelson shares more.
Standing Out: Benefits That Impact RecruitmentThe number of Texas organizations actively recruiting has increased over the last five years from 83.7 to 95 percent. In this competitive market, employers must look to a variety of benefits to stand out. While most companies include time off, health insurance and pension plans as part of their compensation packages, there are other types of benefits organizations are utilizing, such as dependent parent health coverage, tuition reimbursement, child care and relocation assistance.
Standing Out: Benefits That Impact RecruitmentThe number of Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi organizations actively recruiting has increased over the last five years from 83.8 to 95.3 percent. In this competitive market, employers must look to a variety of benefits to stand out.
MassMutual to Acquire The First Mercantile Trust Company From SunTrust Banks, Inc.Agreement will expand MassMutual's Retirement Services business; An 'important strategic step forward'
Standing Out: Benefits That Impact RecruitmentThe number of California organizations actively recruiting has increased over the last five years from 85.5 to 95.7 percent. In this competitive market, employers must look to a variety of benefits to stand out.
Standing Out: Benefits That Impact RecruitmentThe number of New York organizations actively recruiting has increased over the last five years from 92.6 to 96.6 percent. In this competitive market, employers must look to a variety of benefits to stand out.
Standing Out: Benefits That Impact RecruitmentThe number of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island organizations actively recruiting has increased over the last five years from 89.6 to 95.4 percent. In this competitive market, employers must look to a variety of benefits to stand out.
EMPLOYERS USING BENEFITS ENROLLMENT SYSTEMSTO DRIVE EMPLOYEE BEHAVIOR CHANGEEmployers most satisfied when enrollment systems, related resources are integrated
Employee Suffering From “Sick Building Syndrome” Gets Disability BenefitsWhat happens when the building in which you work makes you sick. . . and we don't mean just from the stress of the job. Don Phin has the story of one woman's fight for sick building benefits.
MassMutual Issues Corporate Responsibility ReportReport cites corporate responsibility as an integral part of business strategy
Employers and Employees Share Rising Costs of Health Insurance in Maryland and VirginiaBoth organizations and employees in Maryland and Virginia are facing high costs for health insurance. According to the 2007 results from the Compensation Data - Maryland/Virginia survey, 72.2 percent of companies pay $150 to 349 monthly for each individual’s health insurance premium on an employee only plan. In comparison, 67.6 percent of employers pay more than $450 on family plans. For these employers, the cost to cover a family for an entire year is over $5,400.
Southwest Employers and Employees Share Rising Costs of Health InsuranceBoth organizations and employees in Arizona, New Mexico and Nevada are facing high costs for health insurance.
GroupLink Launches Online Dental Rating SystemComprehensive System Lets Producers Create Custom Proposals in Minutes
COLONIAL LIFE GOES “ONE ON ONE” WITH ESPNCollege Basketball Sponsorship Shoots to Reinforce Recent Corporate Rebranding
Securian’s Minnesota Life insures State of Florida employeesMinnesota Life, the nation’s fifth largest group life insurer, now provides more than $14 billion of life insurance
coverage for nearly 160,000 employees and retirees of the State of Florida.
Health Care Cost Containment and Reduction Methods Vary By RegionThe Benefits USA 2007/2008 survey of more than 5,400 benefit plans found 65.8 percent of organizations nationally use wellness programs to contain costs, while 34.5 percent are increasing the employee portion of the premium.
The Virtual Interactive Educational World for HR Professionals Successfully Launched The Virtual Interactive Educational World for HR Professionals Successfully Launched on December 12-13th, 2007
Texas Health Care Costs Increase in 2007Sixty-three percent of companies had a health insurance premium increase, according to the Compensation Data 2007 – Texas annual survey of 289 employers.
American Community Partners With Toys for Tots to Collect Toys for Local ChildrenAmerican Community Mutual Insurance Company, joined forces this holiday season with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program to be a designated drop-off location to collect new toys for needy children in metro Detroit.
American Community Employees Donate Clothing for Local Children to Spread Holiday CheerAmerican Community Mutual Insurance Company, a leading provider of Individual and Group health insurance since 1938, teamed up with Adopt-a-Child-Size and Support Services, Inc. to donate new complete winter outfits for local children.
Scott Dunbar has joined Buck Consultants as a Principal and Market Leader Scott Dunbar has joined Buck Consultants as a Principal and Market Leader for the firm's San Francisco office
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Renews Relationship With BenelogicCareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Renews Relationship With Benelogic for Mid to Large-Employer Enrollment Solution
Benelogic announced today that it was awarded the CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) Multi-Carrier Large Group Online Benefits Administration contract. CareFirst selected Benelogic’s benefit management software and services to automate the over 200 member mid- and large-group enrollment process for CareFirst accounts.
The Virtual Interactive Educational World for HR Professionals December 12-13th, 2007HR.com (www.hr.com) is launching the first virtual and online conference designed for HR professionals, including specialists in Benefits, Sourcing, HRO, Compensation, Incentives, Training, Consumer Directed Healthcare and Staffing. Attendance is complimentary for all HR Professionals.
Oral Health Promotion Newsletter from OraMedica International Helps Reduce Medical ClaimsNew bimonthly health e-newsletter focuses on dental conditions associated with systemic health problems to help reduce healthcare costs.
American Community Offers Wisconsin Residents a New Choice in Health InsuranceAmerican Community Mutual Insurance Company, a leading provider of Individual and Group health insurance since 1938, announced today that it has entered the state of Wisconsin with competitive health insurance products for individuals and families.
Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico Health Care Costs Increase in 2007Fifty-seven percent of companies in Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico had a health insurance premium increase, according to the Compensation Data 2007 – Southwest annual survey of 170 employers.
New Medical Insurance Requirements for Foreigners in Singapore A New Year and new regulations for foreign employees in Singapore. Pacific Bridge explains.
OraMedica International, LLC announced today the availability of oral links to systemic health-tips OraMedica International, LLC announced today the availability of oral links to systemic health-tips E-Booklets for employees, designed to improve the long-term health of the workforce while reducing employers' healthcare costs.
Delta Dental mourns loss of founding CEODr. F. Gene Dixon, a visionary who helped pioneer dental benefits industry
Few New England healthcare organizations made any significant revisions to their employee benefits Few New England healthcare organizations made any significant revisions to their employee health benefits programs from last year, according to the third annual survey of the New England healthcare industry by Olney Associates and Cammack LaRhette Consulting.
Kentucky and Tennessee Employers and Employees Share Rising Costs of Health InsuranceBoth organizations and employees in Kentucky and Tennessee are facing high costs for health insurance. According to the newly released results from the Compensation Data 2007
North and South Carolina Employers and Employees Share Rising Costs of Health InsuranceBoth organizations and employees in North and South Carolina are facing high costs for health insurance. According to the newly released results from the Compensation Data 2007
Seton Hall Names Tom Sharkey Sr. to 2007 Entrepreneur Hall of FameLong-time insurance luminary Tom Sharkey, Sr., was named to the 2007 Entrepreneur Hall of Fame by the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies within Seton Hall’s Stillman School of Business.
Prudential Relocation Appoints John Zanni As Vice President, Business DevelopmentPrudential Relocation, Inc., a Prudential Financial, Inc. [NYSE: PRU] company, today announced the appointment of John Zanni to the position of Vice President, Business Development.
Standing Out: Benefits That Impact RecruitmentHealth insurance for dependent parents is offered by only 1.6 percent of organizations nationally, according to the preliminary results from the Compensation Data 2007 survey conducted by Compdata Surveys.
MassMutual Captures No. 1 Ranking in 2007 InformationWeek 500 'Information Security/Privacy' MassMutual Captures No. 1 Ranking in 2007 InformationWeek 500 'Information
Security/Privacy' Category
If You're a Savvy Shopper, You'll Love HSAsWhen shopping for an HSA, you may want to try it on for size. Rania Sedhom explains.
Delta Dental introduces new way to stretch annual maxD&P Maximum WaiverSM option promotes diagnostic and preventive services
Chubb Offers a Global Business Travel Accident PolicyThe Chubb Group of Insurance Companies is now offering BTA 360, a new business travel accident insurance program to help companies ensure the wellbeing of employees traveling on business, whether domestically or abroad.
SCI Companies Select Humana as Healthcare and Dental Benefits ProviderSCI Companies (SCI), a leading professional employer organization (PEO), has selected Humana as its new healthcare and dental benefits provider effective October 1, 2007.
HealthFitness CEO Supports Move Toward Cultural Shift"A corporate culture of health positively addresses the underlying factors fueling health care costs: high health risks and chronic disease," Lehman said. In practice, it includes elements of corporate identity and is included in corporate mission and goals....
SCI Companies, has selected Humana as its new healthcare and dental benefits provider SCI Companies, a leading professional employer organization (PEO), has selected Humana as its new healthcare and dental benefits provider effective October 1, 2007.
MassMutual Promotes Debra Palermino to Senior Vice President of Human ResourcesMassachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) today announced the promotion of Debra A.
Palermino to senior vice president of Corporate Human Resources.
GMAC Global Relocation Ranks Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Corporate Relocation ServicesCoordination of Relocation Services More Critical to Transferees Than the Actual Move
MassMutual Will Introduce Fiduciary Warranty to the Defined Contribution Market in Fourth QuarterWarranty Will Apply to Group Annuity and Registered Products in MassMutual's Smart Architecture(SM) Investment Program
LegalView Continues Monitoring of Developments Regarding Traumatic Brain Injury LegalView Continues Monitoring of Developments Regarding Traumatic Brain Injury as Defense Department Distributes Funds to Combat More American Servicemen and Women Returning with Brain Injuries
With traumatic brain injuries (TBI) affecting more than 1 million civilians each year and as many as two-thirds of American service members returning from overseas, brain injuries are a vital contemporary public health issue. LegalView.com is proud to provide a free, comprehensive portal on TBIs to help victims and their families learn more about the medical and legal aspects of surviving a brain injury.
Cost of Co-Pays for Non-Formulary Drugs Increases in North and South CarolinaIn past months, large retailers have made news with plans to reduce the cost of some generic prescriptions. Now months later, the newly-released Compensation Data 2007
Missouri Employers and Employees Share Rising Costs of Health InsuranceBoth organizations and employees in Missouri are facing high costs for health insurance. According to the newly released results from the Compensation Data 2007
Georgia Employers and Employees Share Rising Costs of Health InsuranceBoth organizations and employees in Georgia are facing high costs for health insurance. According to the newly released results from the Compensation Data 2007
The New Summary Plan Description ProcessMichael Byers takes a look at Summary Plan Descriptions and how they helped one company with communicating benefit plans to employees.
G&A Partners Announces Upcoming Webinar on Controlling Medical Insurance PremiumsG&A Partners, a fully-integrated Houston-based human resource (HR) and administrative services company, today announced that they will host a webinar, "Controlling Medical Insurance Premiums," at 11:00 a.m. CDT, Tuesday, August 7, 2007. Registration is now open for this webinar.
Iowa and Nebraska Employers and Employees Share Rising Costs of Health InsuranceBoth organizations and employees in Iowa and Nebraska are facing high costs for health insurance.
Reforming Health Care in AmericaThere is a “Health Care Crisis” in America, says Michael Barton. What is the future of health care delivery in America and should Health Care be
“Nationalized”? Michael Barton answers these questions and more.
Missouri Health Care Costs Increase in 2007Sixty-seven percent of Missouri companies had a health insurance premium increase, according to the Compensation Data 2007 – Missouri annual survey of 342 employers.
Michigan Employers and Employees Share Rising Costs of Health InsuranceBoth organizations and employees in Michigan are facing high costs for health insurance.
Employers and Employees Share Rising Costs of Health InsuranceBoth organizations and employees are facing high costs for health insurance.
Planned Administrators Inc. and BCS Insurance Company Launch Educational Podcast SeriesInsurance brokers, HR executives listen and learn with industry's first podcast series -- educational program offers new insights into emerging limited benefits market.
Section 125 Plan Employer Guide - Free ReportMany employers mistakenly believe that Section 125 Plans are too complicated and expensive to set up and they miss out on hundreds or thousands of dollars in tax savings. A new Free Report entitled "Section 125 Plan Employer Guide" from Core Documents at www.CoreDocuments.com dispels this myth.
Consumer Behavior for Health Care BenefitsAsparity quantifies consumer behavior for health care benefits and announces Decision Support Results for the 2007 enrollment season.
Employers Who Recognize the Impact of Migraine May Help to Improve Workplace ProductivityWhen a migraine strikes, it can cause a decline in work productivity, make it difficult to concentrate and lead to missed workdays. Dr. Jennifer Lofland shares information gathered at a recent conference.
Mercer Worldwide Quality of Living SurveyThe 2007 Worldwide Quality of Living Survey by Mercer Human Resource Consulting has found that four of the world’s five top-scoring cities for health and sanitation are in North America.
Traditional Health Insurance v. Self-Funded Insurance Faced with rising health insurance renewal costs hovering near 15 percent for its fiscal year, Allyis, a Bellevue, Wash., company that manages technology projects and personnel needs for enterprise clients and governmental agencies in the Pacific Northwest, took a hard look at its options.
Auto and Home Insurance –Fitting the Pieces of the Puzzle TogetherIt is expected that almost all major US companies and most small businesses will migrate from a ‘one-size-fits-all’ benefits plan to flexible benefit programs with voluntary offerings within a matter of a few years: from HR.com and Liberty Mutual.
The Future of Defined Benefit PlansDefined Benefits plans (DB) should be and must be preserved in order to meet our obligations as employers, as governments in preparing the American public for a financially secure retirement; a transcript of an educational webcast by Jeff Chad.
HR.com Interview with GE Money’s Eric Kirchner, National Sales Leader, Benefit Solutions by GE Currently, as National Sales Leader for Benefit Solutions by GE, Eric Kirchner manages a 10-person sales team focusing on development of broker/consultant relationships nationwide. His team promotes GE's line of Wellness, Identity Theft Protection and Legal products in the employee marketplace. An interview by Claude Balthazard, Ph.D., Director of Research, HR.com.
Health Benefit Cost Increases Level off at 6.1% in 2006Health benefit cost increases level off at 6.1% in 2006, after three years in which employers reduced the rate of growth.
Retailers Lead the Market in Controlling Benefit CostsRetailers lead the market in controlling benefit costs, which are rising faster than they can raise prices, Mercer analysis finds.
Weight Management in the WorkplaceObesity in the workplace is a huge problem. Obesity has become a critical target for healthcare intervention, especially since it’s been affecting the bottom line of companies everywhere, writes Stephen E. Dannenbaum.
Results of Mercer’s Survey of Governmental Employers on GASB 45Public-sector employers may scale back retiree medical coverage as accounting changes force a review of benefit costs to taxpayers; from Mercer Health & Benefits.
The Principal 10 Best Companies for Employee Financial Security 2006Cited as Leaders in Wellness, Workplace Guidance, "Auto Pilot" Retirement Savings
Rewards For Healthy LifestylesEmployers can reinforce good employee health by sponsoring healthy lifestyle contests and campaigns. Encourage such behavior as smoking cessation, healthy eating, and weight loss - with the support and discipline of an organized event; by Steven P. Noeldner, Ph.D., Mercer Health & Benefits.
Malaysia: Law to Extend Benefits to More of WorkforceOn July 31, 2006, Malaysia´s Minister of Human Resources, Dr. Fong Chan Onn, said to reporters that the government had drafted an amendment to the Employment Act which would raise the "salary ceiling" to 2,000 ringgit per month (about US$550); from PacificBridge.
CCH, GMS Offer Health Care Screening SolutionThe CCH Comprehensive Health Care Exclusion Check helps users avoid the monetary and civil litigation risks - associated with fines and penalties - of hiring or working with sanctioned and excluded individuals or organizations.
Japanese Government Closes Pension Gap between Private Company Employees and Government EmployeesOn April 24, 2006, the Japanese government announced plans to close the gap between private sector pension and public servant pension payments; from Pacific Bridge.
CCH Analysis: With House Passage It's Now Up to Senate to Move on Pension ReformEstate tax, minimum wage and tax break extensions all get nod from house, but Senate expected to resist, according to CCH.
Most Workers Skeptical of Health Savings AccountsHudson survey reveals increased exposure improves perceptions.
The Cure for Your Bottom Line: Improve the Bottom Line by Reducing Employee Benefits ExpenseHealthcare in the United States has reached crisis proportions; from HighRoads.
Pandemic Communications: Protecting Your Company´s InterestsAs media stories about the avian flu become more frequent, HR professionals would be well advised to dust off their crisis plans and think about how to maintain employee productivity and business continuity during a pandemic, writes David Weiner.
Competition Can Reduce Employee Benefits CostsHighRoads Proves that Online Auctions Deliver an Average 15+ Percent Savings - Without Sacrificing
Quality