FindLaw | Find a Lawyer. Find Answers.

Library Search

• HR's Role in HIPAA Security Compliance ( May 2005 )
  

  Suffering "HIPAA Privacy Rule fatigue," many human resources and benefits professionals have passed the compliance baton for the HIPAA Security Rule to their colleagues in the Information Technology (IT) Department. Letting IT grapple on its own with the HIPAA Security Rule most likely will mean that your organization will not meet the April 21, 2005, compliance deadline for covered health plans with annual receipts exceeding $5 million, or even the April 21, 2006 compliance deadline for covered health plans falling below that threshold.

• New COBRA Guidance Requires Employers To Overhaul Notices And COBRA Procedures ( July 2004 )
  

  Just over one year ago, the Department of Labor issued proposed COBRA regulations that contained dramatic changes to the content of COBRA notices as well as the manner in which notices were required to be issued. On May 26, 2004, the DOL finalized those regulations. The final regulations are substantially similar to the proposed regulations and will require prompt action by employers that sponsor health plans.

• Time To Update Your Cobra Notices ( July 2004 )
  

  The Federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, commonly known as COBRA, requires group health plans of employers with 20 or more employees to offer employees and their families continued medical coverage after the employment relationship ends, under certain circumstances. For the first time since 1985, the U.S. Department of Labor has issued final rules regarding COBRA obligations. These requirements are in addition to the longstanding regulations issued by the Department of the Treasury. We have summarized some of the significant features of the new final regulations for your convenience.

• COBRA Rules Set To Change ( August 2003 )
  

  On May 28, 2003, the Department of Labor published proposed rules that will modify an employer's obligations under COBRA. The proposed rule establishes minimum standards for the timing and content of notices under COBRA. It also includes model notices that replace and augment the forms previously published by the Department.

• Corporate Fiduciary Liability Claims In The Post-Enron Era ( October 2002 )
  

  Since the spectacular collapse of Enron Corporation this past year, it is impossible to open the newspaper without reading about another corporate scandal or the latest "largest corporate bankruptcy in history." The television and print media have reported endlessly on how high-flying companies such as Enron, WorldCom, Global Crossing, and Qwest have misled the public about their record-breaking growth and earnings in an effort to inflate share price and maintain analysts' ratings.

• IRS Issues New "Safe Harbor" Pension Distribution Notice ( April 2000 )
  

  The Internal Revenue Code requires pension plan administrators to inform plan participants of the income tax optio.

• Cobra Election Notices May Be Sent To All Beneficiaries at Their Common Residence ( January 2000 )
  

  In a published opinion letter the Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration has said that a single COBRA election.

• Disclosure Requirements for Plans Subject to Erisa and Sec Rules ( October 1999 )
  

  This summary discusses how to comply with ERISA and SEC disclosure requirements for a 401(k) plan that includes an.

• Information Needs for Dividing Retirement Benefits ( June 1999 )
  

  Copy of decree or document dividing retirement benefit when entered. (Drafts may be helpful.) Name, date of birth.

• The SPD--Does Yours Make the Grade? ( June 1999 )
  

  The importance of an accurate, up-to-date and comprehensive summary plan description (SPD) cannot be emphasized en.