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A free monthly newsletter for plan sponsors and employee benefits 
professionals published by The Benefit Services Group, Inc.

More Companies Implementing Health and Productivity Practices
EXCERPT: "The 2005/2006 Staying@Work Survey found that more than four out of 10 (41 percent) employers already incorporate health and productivity initiatives into their overall health care planning, while nearly one-third (32 percent) plan to do so within the next year. A total of 275 employers participated in the survey, which examined the prevalence and effectiveness of employee health and productivity practices."
Full Article
December 6, 2005—Watson Wyatt Worldwide


Treasury and IRS Issue Guidance on FSA Grace Period and HSA Eligibility
EXCERPT: "The guidance clarifies that coverage by the FSA grace period disqualifies an individual to contribute to an HSA during the grace period. However, the notice also provides guidance on how an FSA can be amended to enable a covered individual to contribute to an HSA during the grace period. The guidance also clarifies a number of technical questions concerning the grace period."   Full Article
November 22, 2005—U.S. Department of the Treasury


Path to Profitable Disease Management Programs
EXCERPT: "Research by Medstat and Cornell University shows that while disease management programs have been shown to improve the health status of program participants, their economic impacts have been mixed. In a review of 44 studies analyzing the economic impact and return on investment for disease management programs, researchers found inconclusive results for programs targeting depression, diabetes, and asthma, but positive ROI for programs targeting congestive heart failure and multiple illnesses, Medstat reports."  Full Article
December 2005—BenefitNews.com


Shifting Health-care Costs: More Employers Link Premium Contributions to Wages
EXCERPT: "Should a worker making $30,000 a year contribute the same amount toward health insurance as a manager making $300,000? While the premium for both is the same - nearly $12,000 for family coverage—a $3,000 contribution has a significantly different impact on them.

To address that problem, some companies are choosing to tie worker contributions toward premiums to how much they earn."
Full Article
November 10, 2005—The Philadelphia Inquirer (One-time free registration required.)


 

Warm wishes
for this
holiday season
and throughout
the new year from The Benefit Services Group, Inc.
 

By providing links to other sites, The Benefit Services Group, Inc. does not guarantee, approve or endorse the information or products available at these sites, nor does a link indicate any association with or endorsement by the linked site to The Benefit Services Group, Inc.

The preceding is not intended to be and is not offered as legal advice. We are prohibited from the practice of law. Compliance is the responsibility of the employer or Plan sponsor and affected employees, who should seek their own legal counsel regarding questions about information presented in this newsletter.

PlanAhead Direct is a monthly newsletter provided free of charge to select BSG® client representatives and associates. View and search back issues at www.bsg.com/news/PADirect/index.htm. 

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Copyright 2005 The Benefit Services Group, Inc. BSG® is a registered trademark of The Benefit Services Group, Inc.

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