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Benefits
Briefing Newsletter
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Employee Benefits News
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Summer
2010
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One thing is
certain - there are no shortage of changes in the
Benefits world. Your ability to stay at the forefront of new
legislation is key to your company's continued success. Keep
reading for the latest news!
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Healthcare
Reform Compliance
Healthcare reform
brings many changes for employers and
their health plans. As you prepare to comply with healthcare
reform's many requirements, you need to be aware of how healthcare
reform will affect your plans for the coming plan year.
Many changes are
effective on the first day of the first plan year beginning on or after
September 23, 2010, or January 1, 2011 for calendar year plans.
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There is plenty of research stressing the importance of
helping your employees get into shape, eat right, exercise and stop
smoking. But it is equally important not to forget about supporting and
encouraging those employees who already lead a healthy lifestyle.
Here are some ways to help ensure your healthy employees
remain that way:
- Establish a smoke-free
environment in and around your company's facility.
- Create an environment
that promotes physical activity throughout the workday.
- Promote
the use of nearby walking or biking trails during lunchtime.
- Offer healthy food in
the workplace to promote more health-conscious employees.
- Offer
healthy food options in vending machines and provide healthy
foods during work-sponsored events.
- Make modifications and
upgrades to your employee's workstations to create a more
ergonomic environment.
- Conduct
workstation assessments - including placement of the computer
monitor, keyboard and mouse, quality of lighting and chair
mechanics.
- Create an environment
that reduces your employees' stress.
- Establish
clear expectations for your employees regarding what their roles
are within the company.
- Provide
employees with the necessary tools to get their jobs done easily
and effectively.
- Stress safety when
driving on company business to avoid traffic-related accidents,
one of the leading causes of death among workers.
- Implement
a policy requiring employees to wear their seat belts, especially
when driving on company time and in a company-owned vehicle.
- Enforce emergency
procedures within your facility.
- Provide detailed
information about these procedures to your employees.
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Protect Against Rising ADA Lawsuits
Since the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) went into
effect, there has been a considerable rise in ADA-related lawsuits.
This is due to the expanded definition of "disability" which
increases the number of employees covered under the ADA. Also, the
ADAAA shifted emphasis from whether the employee is disabled to how the
employer should accommodate the employee.
You can limit your company's liability regarding ADA-related claims by
taking these three steps:
1.
Make sure your policies and
practices are compliant with ADAAA's regulations
2.
Train your HR personnel and
managers regarding ADAAA, namely regarding accommodation issues.
3.
Ensure all job descriptions include
the "essential functions" of the position.
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Be a Wise Healthcare Consumer
The way we purchase healthcare is unlike most other
purchases we make - we rarely ask questions or consider all the options
that could save us time and money.
Healthcare
Costs
Healthcare costs, and consequently health insurance premiums,
continue to rise.
Employers are forced to pass on a portion of the increases in the form of larger employee contributions or in the form of higher out of pocket costs. Making informed health care decisions is vital to controlling health care costs.
Ask Your Doctor Questions
Amazingly, many patients do not ask their doctor basic questions.
"How much will my treatment cost?" "Is there a less
costly alternative?" "What are the risks?"
Patients often accept their doctors' advice without
understanding the options - both in cost and effectiveness.
Prescription Drugs
Many people think that there is a difference between generic and brand
name prescription drugs. The truth is a generic drug is the same as a
brand name drug. With few exceptions they cost much less than brand
name drugs and provide the same health benefits.
The next time your doctor writes you a prescription, ask
if a generic equivalent is available.
Outpatient
Rather Than Inpatient Care
Outpatient care can be a much better alternative to inpatient. It can provide the same level of quality treatment as inpatient care, and is less costly. If you need to have surgery, ask your doctor if the surgery can be performed in a clinic or outpatient facility. With Outpatient care you also have the ability to recover in the comfort of your home, instead of in a hospital.
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The flu season is fast approaching. Are you
ready? Is your workforce ready? The flu is a contagious
respiratory illness that can cause mild to severe illness, and can lead
to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting an annual
flu vaccine. In addition, frequent hand washing is an important
precaution in preventing the spread of the flu. Symptoms of the
flu include some or all of the following symptoms:
- fever or feeling
feverish/chills
- cough
- sore throat
- runny or stuffy nose
- muscle or body aches
- headache
- fatigue
- some people may
experience vomiting and diarrhea, although this is more common in
children than adults
Manufacturers of vaccine for the 2010-2011 flu season have already
begun shipping their flu shots and nasal sprays. The vaccine is
typically a three component vaccine; each component is selected to
protect against one of the three groups of influenza viruses most
prevalent among humans. This year, the vaccine will include the
much publicized H1N1 strain, commonly referred to as swine flu,
requiring only one dose for most individuals. For the first time,
the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is recommending that everyone 6
months and older should get a seasonal flu vaccine. The CDC is
also suggesting if vaccine is available earlier, as it is anticipated
to be, people shouldn't wait to get vaccinated. The vaccine is
effective for 6-8 months, which would last throughout the peak of flu
season.
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Fight the battle of the bulge and take the stairs - burn
calories, feel better and weigh less - it's that easy!
Did you know that you can burn 10 calories for walking up a flight of stairs but only 1 from riding an elevator? Want to trim a few pounds?
Consider the following suggestions:
- When you need to use the
restroom, climb the stairs to another floor.
- Use the stairs to visit
another coworker on a different floor.
- Always take the stairs
if you are traveling up or down three floors or less.
- If you are traveling
several floors up or down and do not want to take the stairs the
entire way, get off the elevator one of two floors early and take
the stairs the rest of the way.
- If climbing the stairs
is physically challenging for you, consider climbing one flight
and then riding the elevator the rest of the way. Slowly build up
your fitness level until you can walk the entire way to your final
destination.
- Using the stairs versus
the elevator is green!
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