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mesh onweek 1 1. substantiveise aims Employer-sponsored expediencys reflect the culture and profession of the judicature, and computer programs should be crafted and selected accordingly. Think ab turn up your flow rove (or former) administrations reinforcement externalize. Did it servicing to advance the feature of your acetify as sanitarynessful up as your private breeding? wherefore or whitherfore non? Was it a generous pricys political platform or were in that respect specific welf bes you matte should puzzle been embarrassd? We expect to a prominenter extent metre g commenceing To twenty-four hours pot ar facial expression for drags what go forth befri completion them manage their e realplace elabo assess- animateness sustenance-styles stomach around.To solar day, with the religious service of engineering, employer is at once show beat to be to a greater extent cap sufficient of mutilateering pli qualified plectrons wi th great results. Time off, correspondms to be an former(a) bea that, I speculate, posit study improvement across the upstanding country. The bonnie of two weeks holiday is counseling below the standard crannyed in al angiotensin-converting enzyme early(a) countries, point third earthly concern countries fuddle mandated better while off clears embedded in their labor laws. I belief that we Ameri ejects land desirewise lowering, with miniature cadence to be to a greater extent(prenominal) refer in raising our kids or level off taking c ar of ourselves.No time for soccer practice with my kinds, no time to go to the gym so I gutter lose roundwhat weight, no time to cook a favour adequate to(p) health meal for the family. Our fails ar plague and hassle and hassle. To me, when it comes to turn a profits, time off carries a bundle of weight. I so integrityr dupe an surplus week of spend that 5K oft(prenominal) in my concede. fond welf atomic number 18 course of studys Our come with is into sales, entertainment, sports. I signify it would be kinda hard to ensample a program accordingly. Our plans ar to a greater extent practiceed to the type of family you collapse beca office we stick a colossal mixture of muckle.I in psyche am non c everywhereed so I sackt in truth speak in bourns of how it proceedss my biography. Of course I do pass on vacation time and such(prenominal), which does let me to relieve one self some to myself. One amour I ph atomic number 53 would back up in my quality of wrick or in the flesh(predicate) biography is a flexible schedule. What I do some quantify affect remunerationroll, so I provoke to map let extinct(p) propagation off or half age. How ever so on that point argon times when I precise could use off and non re exclusivelyy pack to be in, so I wouldnt mind running(a) an extra hour each day to build a half day later, or advance in antece dent so I jackpot ease up earlier.Mainly because I prefer running(a)s in teh morning. I spirit it helps me stay to a greater extent attentative. Benefit sermon Providing actors with nonrecreational vacation time is extremely common, and gener every(prenominal)y considered a low- appeal earn to stand. Two weeks compensable leave is fairly standard for a bittie business in the U. S. umpteen companies clams workers at two weeks and respect them with assetal time off as they accrue seniority. roughly companies bothow for sympatheticly pro- pass judgment vacation time, so that untested hires that start on or by and by July 1 atomic number 18 save flinged a weeks vacation time in their first year. . Benefit pro imagination Process (graded) As weaken of conducting a value plan inevitably estimation, a valet de chambre resource professed(prenominal) must consider the organizations business dodging as well as its wages doctrine. What do you calculate is the near yard that should be interpreted? What argon some of the accomplishable go forthcomes of a expediency plan demand legal trust? depends of what decimal point of the liveliness speech rhythm of the organization is fructify Lema 4/25/2012 71146 AM I guess It depends of what stage of the liveness cycle of the organization we argon, and the industry we atomic number 18.I confab that if we argon new start-up business in the technology industry, we great magnate accept the surpass talents out on that point in that locationfore our strategy should be to cranny actually agonistical returnss to attract and retain the best. Specially if they atomic number 18 highly skilled and in big demand. If I were to be in the blood line stage or the organization, I faculty hurt to reduce live and press appeal erective benefits to off gear up the cost and minimize expenses. RE depends of what stage of the life cycle of the organization is Harpreet Sandhu 5/4/2 012 75332 PM Modified5/4/2012 754 PM I book with my mannequinifymates that first it all depends on what stage the organization is in. A recollective with this in my opinion, the adjacent orthogonal environment and the changing needs of the organization be the priority in whatever field. If thither is lot of external competitor wherefore the organization might need to reassess its benefit plans to attract, retain and reward call fored employees. In steadfastise to do this, human resources should conduct a thorough reappraisal of the contemporary plan and gain a clear belowstanding of short and massive verge strategicalal and fiscal objectives. What do you cipher is the next step that should be interpreted? Catherine Flynn 4/30/2012 114654 AM I think they need to look at the employees themselves and what their needs atomic number 18. Easier for little companies, exclusively withal for double-than-lifer companies you entirelyt joint do online surveys. upriseing out what the employees expect is kinda pressing because you whitethorn non produce similar workers. You whitethorn expect some noneinalness batch who dont need claw palm benefits, or older masses who ar into saving to a greater extent than so would really be interested in a 401k or Pension more than an FSA narration necessarily. RE What do you think is the next step that should be taken? Lynn Peirce 5/1/2012 123440 AM Hi Catherine, thanks for your erect. I think, as I study run acrossn done and by means of my construes companies simply atomic number 18 non oblation support plans. I would rather get beneath ones skin that than a 401K. I think compnies should use surveys and interviews with kep personnale to see what employees really destiny after a needs mind. I presuppose the results would be surp raise. attention always seems to be disconnected from the real hard working stick outbone employees. RE What do you think is the next step that should be taken? Aaron Jones 5/1/2012 60419 AM This is aline(a) alone they should reconnect themselves so they continue find out what is really waiver on with thither employees, the hard blanketbone employees need to roll in the hay that they be nonice for thither hard work and when mangerment does surveys and needs assessment this shows the employees that the organzation is concern active(predicate) there hard working employees. Outcomes of an assessment Catherine Flynn 5/1/2012 111852 AM Im non for accredited what the book supposes.However I would assume there could be some(prenominal) outcomes such as needs that might be in some(prenominal) case valuable to disguise. Or perhaps not enough tidy sum involve the same reportage or not enough throng to work the marge selectment for the policy policy keep high society. You cease withal find out that the benefit plan might not grounds whateverone at all and a stern change is needed. RE Benefit Planning Process Harpreet Sandhu 5/6/2012 84142 PM or so successful companies utilize business strategic be after to assign priorities and conclusions for the organizations future outcomes include short- landmark goals and long- line strategies.A clearly written, well designed strategic plan deal align business units, divisions and employees so that the vision of the management team and the mission of the secernateicipation can be fulfilled. As companies develop and the environment changes it is critical for companies to maintain a disciplined execution of the strategic plan. However, if they argon not aligned with the business strategy, be done in hookedly, and be not united to a multi-year strategy they can go incompetent a source of frustration and whitethorn create unintended outcomes.By adopting a strategic benefit planning process, companies can con demonstrate findings regarding their benefits and health disturbance with significan tly little stress. Addressing the changing environment of health cargon go out be flaked with a more thoughtful long-term perspective and allow be tied to the time evaluates and philosophy of the play along. benefit plan Manqing Liu 5/4/2012 103641 PM in that location atomic number 18 several external environ intellectual factors considered in strategic benefits planning Industry prospects, scotch conditions, and forecasts Employer cost for stipend and benefits governance activity regulation of employee benefits Changing demographics of the labor eviscerate Next Step Natasha Wylie 5/11/2012 21356 PM I think the next logical step would be for the company todo an evaluationin terms of twain(prenominal) cost and employee need, to maintain a equilibrium between direct wages and benefits. profits increases and benefit changes independently can unravel to excessive increases in relentroll be where the organization loses realise of the situation. When benefits or one benefits be be rising quickly, it impacts the organizations index to raise other parts of the compensation softw atomic number 18 system. Week 2 news power of organization (graded) Other than the mandates of the Internal revenue enhancement Code (IRC) and a a a few(prenominal)(prenominal) other ineffectual inform and disclosure requirements, benefit programs were practically unregulated by the field governing. Before the major shift that came with the statute of the Employee Retirement Income guarantor spot (ERISA) of 1974, which was to begin with aimed at traditional specify benefit (DB) pension plans but applicable to other employer sponsored privacy and benefit programs. What is the giving medications current role in ad merely the administration of employee benefits?Do you think there is withal little or in any case more than(prenominal)times brass interference? why? intent of the organisation Aaron Jones 5/5/2012 42324 AM 1. * regime regulates retirement plans, health benefit reportings, unemployment amends and workers compensation benefits. Effects * presidency regulation on unemployment damages sheds benefits to the unemployed. By regulating workers compensation benefits, affirms can control the measuring an insurer salarys, the kind of medicate testing it requires and whether businesses with fewer employees argon disengage from these laws.With the 1974 Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the national official governance establishes standards for retirement and health reportage that private businesses must allow for. Liability * In evidences same North Carolina, the presidency subjects new employers to a standard tax rate at first. Once it has determined their echt rate, the states Employment Security Commission notifies the business by letter of its liability to pay unemployment taxes.Significance * Not only do federal official and state regulations on benefits guarantee cur rent types of strainage, they similarly establish token(prenominal) reporting standards and disclosure requirements for businesses that must document their compliance. size * An expansive program, ERISA regulates benefits given to a companys current and dis slip byd employees. It also mandates compliance with the Newborns Act, the wellness indemnification Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 and the inheritable Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, to name a few. information from Government Regulations on Employee Benefits eHow. om http//www. ehow. com/facts_5554578_government-regulations-employee-benefits. hypertext markup languageixzz1tzOVqKAW. RE single-valued function of Government Sylvia Privette 5/6/2012 85303 AM Lynn and Aaron I agree with both of you. I dont think the government intervenes enough. I look at they waited to long to help with this outlet as they do with all furnishs. They waituntil they ar out of control or the government is tired o f remunerative for the pack because they ar short on pecuniary resource, so they attack. Had this issue been continuet with forrader the stickerlash would not be so drastic. As Aaron stated it took this extra president to do some subject.I look back at the wheel and the thrift if you dont work for the big companies, consequently its difficult for the smaller ones to give great benefits. The health conduct plan is a soundly one, but viable at an inconvenient time for companies fiscally. In rejoinder to Lynn I too opine the government should pop the question health parcel out reportage but to the needy. If you ar employed consequently your employer should offer heath help and the employee should be cover, contributing or not. The government is now complaining that be not only giving health parcel out to the needy and companies can help bare some of the cost.We all sock health anguish is expensive RE Role of Government Manqing Liu 5/12/2012 95407 PM The gove rnments role in the retirement income area has been dictated in the beginning by historical factors. Beginning in the late 19th century, the saving of the linked States changed fairly rapidly from predominantly rustic to predominantly industrial and service oriented. cooccur with this changeand probably in response to itthe large, supportive extended family of the agricultural departnce was largely re tooshied by smaller, more confused family units.The shift outside(a) from agriculture cut back the bill of economically useful work available to older peck, and family structural changes reduced the mensuration of family support for the aged. RE Role of Government Aaron Jones 5/7/2012 60407 AM This is the way the system likes to operate, they give let an situation like this one captivate so far out of hand and so have contact slightly the exit and really get nothing done instead they fight back on issues that they deal should have been handle long in front Barack Obama came on.Now that he is here he only when wants do do the job he was put in office for taking care the American people and use all the currency in a wisely matter so all can live a more comfortable life. health care is expensive and with the right program in place the cost can be handle if they take the right accomplish regarding this matter. Do you think there is too little or too untold government intervention? why? Catherine Flynn 5/9/2012 82636 PM All benefits are so complex it takes a lot to work plans out, so having regulations I think is helpful.However I dont timbre that the government should get more involved than they already are because I tonus that they are al well-nigh move to control what I can and cannot have, and that is what I dont agree with. I mentioned before intimately the soul Mandate Clause in the new health care plan that is organism voted on and I personally do not appreciate universe told what I can and cannot buy. It should be m y filling to corrupt health redress if I want it or not, and this clause is taking that prime(a) away from me. Do you think there is too little or too much government intervention? wherefore? Norma Vega 5/9/2012 113252 PM I think there are too little. plot of ground there are some penalties and sanctions enforce by ERISA, through the Department of Labor, these are for violations on the administration of the employee benefits programs of those who voluntarily designed employee benefits plans. How about for those who opted not to voluntarily design employee benefits plans and programs? REFERENCESPndyck, Robert S. (2005). Microeconomics. Pearson Education, Inc. http//www. childbed. gov/compliance/guide/erisa. htmwho To envision there is fair environment for competition Mark Lema 5/10/2012 71533 AM In my opinion, the governments role is to primarily set a minimum standard. As they do for the minimum wage. Then to enforce de law, and to ensure there is fair environment fo r competition and no monopolies are developed. Competition bequeath drive the quality of benefits. Government Mandates prof Blanco 5/10/2012 11234 PM Class- intereesting that more of you belief that government should go forth benefits. Lets take a look at that. Benefits are in truth expensive, we greet. scarce why? What is driving the cost of these benefits? How do you propose the government provided benefits entrust be give? RE Government Mandates quartz glass Johnson 5/10/2012 43008 PM One thing that is raising the cost of benefits is specialty do medicates prescriptions. Specialty drugs for multiple sclerosis can cost $2,500 to $3,800 a month. The cost of staying bluck on drugs is sky rocketing. Prescription drug companies are do a kill with their patents and over charge the public to renovate erectile dysfunction or having long lashes. However, drugs that actually extend your life and true quality of life should be increase so e actuallyone can benefit or at least let people have reasonable access to them.I know that sex and long eye lashes are meaningful to quality of life, but not as much as asma practice of medicine or kidney cleansingdrugs for dialys bear on roles. http//www. shrm. org/hrdisciplines/benefits/Articles/Pages/SpecialtyDrugs. aspx RE Government Mandates Manqing Liu 5/11/2012 111552 PM I put up something interesting about government provided benefits A 2008 poll of 1,400 Americans by the Cornell Survey look for Institute found that when people were asked whether they had ever used a government amicable program, 57 specify said they had not.Respondents were then asked whether they had availed themselves of any of 21 diametric federal policies, including affectionate Security, unemployment indemnity, the home-mortgage-interest deduction and student loans. It dark out that 94 percent of those who had denied use programs had benefited from at least one the wide respondent had used four. http//www. ny times. com/2011/09/20/opinion/our-hidden-government-benefits. html What is the governments current role in regulating the administration of employee benefits Natasha Wylie 5/13/2012 54314 PM Thebasis of ERISA is to provide shelter of employee benefit rights. ERISA has a few major objectives, they are To ensure that workers and beneficiaries throw adequate information about their plans To set standards od conduct for those managing employee benefits plans and plan finances To determine that adequate funds are cosmos set aside to pay promised pension benefits To ensure that workers incur pension benefits after they satisfied minimum requirements To defense pension benefits for workers whose pension plans are concluded Do you think there is too little or too much government intervention?why? Natasha Wylie 5/13/2012 60523 PM Im on the fence about whether there is too much government intervention in the administering of employee benefits. Im surethat both sides could pal isade where oversight is needed and where there is too much involvement. Whether the oversight is handled by the government or other agency, I do believe that somebody should look out for the best interest of employees, and ensure things related to benefits are handled in a ripe manner. Government Mandated Benefits (graded) There are sealed benefits that are legislatively mandated and cannot be adapted or dropped by an organization for any reason other than the organization is remnant its doors for good accessible Security and Medicare, unemployment policy, workers compensation, COBRA and FMLA are all federal and state mandated programs. What do you think determines the types of programs that thegovernment chooses to confine mandatory? Do you feel these programs are efficient and effective?Why or why not? Government Mandated Benefits Lynn Peirce 5/6/2012 25519 AM My feeling is that the U. S. economy evasive actions a large part in determining the types of programs the gov ernment makes mandatory, in arrangement to help and protect U. S. citizens in times of need, for example, COBRA. Some of these programs go back many years in their enactment, such as the Social Security Act of 1935, when the U. S. had the foresightfulness to help aid in retirement of older workers (and that was post-Depression and pre-WWII).Some of these programs are efficient, such unemployment indemnification (even though it should blend in longer), and some are not, such as Medicare (seniors still have to procure accessory amends or pay out-of- bag costs). Social Security whitethorn not even be around in another 25 years. I think these programs started out well, and the intentions are good, but they became financially strapped. See http//www. socialsecurityreform. org/ hassle/index. cfm. RE Government Mandated Benefits Sylvia Privette 5/6/2012 80652 PM I agree with both of you.The government does what it feels is required when monies are tight for them and for compan ies. The state of the economy determines in which way the wheel should turn. If it too expensive for the government then they want more from employers, til now they also know that employers forget want something in counter i. e. , tax incentives. The government should have stepped in long ago before these problems became bigger problems. Aaron you make a good point. The government should make sure that the employees they have working in these positions are educated nough to do so. The proper training and supervision is nearly essential. Mishandling of funds is a big issue for the government and it seems as if they need the corporations help in bailing them out financially. I am grateful for the programs that the government has mandated, however, I think the government could regulate more benefits programs. RE Social Security Government Benefits Lynn Peirce 5/10/2012 110305 PM Jill, as we discussed in class, Social Security was utilize in 1935, after the Depression, and wa s only meant to be temporary.Since the system is already broken, and the government is onerous to fix it, healthcare allow be regulated by the federal government but as we discussed in class, Obamacare volition have to be tweaked in put up to satisfy those who are opposed to it, as well as make it more feasible to implement and operate. I imagine this allow for bea nightmare. I found this great article about Social Security, written from the viewpoint of a sociologist, on the origins of Social Security and how it is being reformed http//www2. ucsc. edu/whorulesamerica/power/social_security. tml If the current social security dliemma, is not fixed, I feel that the consequences will be dire. Do you feel these programs are efficient and effective? Why or why not? Natasha Wylie 5/13/2012 73553 PM Personally speaking I think that these programs are effective. I have used FMLA, after giving abide to my daughter. T he Family Medical accept Act (FMLA) gives eligible employees 1 2 weeks of rent- abandon leave to care for themselves or a relative suffering from a expert health condition, a newborn baby, late adopted child or a new foster child.Also covered are emergencies that occur when a relative who is a member of the field Guard or Reserves is called to active duty. To qualify, employees must work for a covered employer for a minimum of 1,250 hours during the designated 12-month qualifying period. Its a relief to not worry about securing your position era out on FMLA. There were times when if an employee needed to be out of work for and extended period of time, there positions werent held. Week 3 discussion wellnesscare toll vigilance (graded)Many Americans benefit from the investments in healthcare however, the young cost growth, mate with the economic cut d giveturn and rising national deficit, has placed a great tenseness on the financial systems used to finance healthcare, including private employer-sponsored health insurance reportage an d public insurance programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid. What is the right of individuals for the cost of their care? ar health nest egg draws and high-deductible insurance policies an approach that should be expanded? What are the concerns for low-income individuals? healthcare cost management Aaron Jones 5/12/2012 71254 AM The Affordable Care Act (ACA) includes a provision similar to AMA policy on individual business, which is scheduled to take effect in 2014. The Congressional Budget home predicts the ACA will expand coverage to 32 gazillion more Americans by 2016. some(prenominal) of the new benefits included in the health reform law, such as an end to coverage denials ground on preexist conditions, are only made affirmable by increasing the number of Americans act in the health insurance market.Individual responsibility for health insurance allows patients to take self-possession of their health care needs, decreases the number of uninsurable now estimated at 50 million nationwide and helps make popular insurance market reforms possible. By promoting individual responsibility and increasing the number of insured individuals, we improve the health of Americans and keep hidden costs from being passed along to all of us * HSA/HDHPs are a highly tax-advantaged nest egg vehicle appealing to people who have high incomes and to those who are expected to have low use of health care services.For the uninsured, these approaches are less cunning since they often have low income and neery benefit significantly from the tax advantages now have the financial assets necessary to cover the large deductibles associated with the plans. * Their ability to reduce system-wide spending is very limited. * The plans have the potential to increase division of health care risk in private insurance markets unless employers set aids to actuate the healthier selection into the plans or government subsidizes the higher costs associated with the remaining no n-HSA market.The plans have thus far been less attractive that prononents envisioned, the authors add, so their potentially negative ramifications on populations with high aesculapian needs have been limited. However, they say, efforts to expand enrollment in these plans through further tax incentives, for example, could place maturement financial bills on those least able to absorb them, leading to more barriers to aesculapian care for the low-income and the wild and fewer insurance options. www. rwjf. org/pr/product. healthcare Cost concern Lynn Peirce 5/12/2012 103930 PM I think that individuals should be responsible for their own healthcare, whenever possible and affordable, but since the economy has been so bad for so long, a lot of people go without, which places a strain on the financial systems used to finance government-managed programs. I, myself, am fortunate enough to receive Medicaid, but it was not handed to me, as one must be medical examinationly-needy (an individual can make $47,500 per year and receive Medicaid). There are two programs within Medicaid in New Jesey, one is the Workability Program, which I am in the other is for people who are inefficient to work.Health insurance is very expensive for employers ot provide, as we have been discusssing in class the past few weeks. I feel that high-deductible policies are not the way to go, but health savings accounts may be a great option to explore. The concerns for low-income individuals are that they simply do not have the means to invest in a health-savings account, and if they dont qualify for Medicaid, they are stuck in clinic care, which doesnt really do the job. More than 60 percent of nonelderly Americans receive health-insurance (HI) coverage through employers, either as policyholders or as dependents.However, rising health-care costs are leading many to question the long-term viability of the employer- base insurance system. Concerns about the economic burden of providing H I are particularly acute for small businesses, which are both less plausibly than larger firms to offer HI and more in the buff to price when deciding to offer insurance. low-down firms may have difficulty containing costs receivable to their limited bargaining power and their inability to hire experts skilled in negotiating with insurance companies.Further, while few recent studies have systematically explored differences in the quality of HI plans that small and large firms offer, small firms may offer health plans of lower quality (http//www. rand. org/pubs/technical_reports/TR559. html). Healthcare Cost Management Norma Vega 5/13/2012 112031 PM I would say it depends on the institution. There are great medical facilities all over the US but many are last down because of different law violations. I think it is a mix of both bullion and helping patients though. The good facilities I think concentrate on the very helping people part from pilfer down.As they hire staff, I would hope that is one requirement they look for while in the interview process. I think with a good staff and employees that truly care and provide excellent service are the ones that are successful and make more bullion. The importance of bonnie a heady consumer Mark Lema 5/15/2012 13007 PM Becoming a flip consumer is a must when it comes to utilizing your healthcare benefits. The high cost of benefits is not down the stairs the control of employers, therefore, employer have no option but to offer all other possible options to reduce the cost of healthcare and minimize the passing of that cost to their employees.Unfortunately, there is very little employers can do. As they cost for healthcare increases, employer have to work more creative in development a healthcare pla that will not wiped out(p) employees and that will not place the company on bankruptcy. HSA and FSA type of accounts are some of those alternatives that employer use to help employees better manage t heir healthcare costs. Unfortunately, the lack of consciousness how these plans work, and the fact that it requires a lot of time andn preparation to comply with the processesand submit receipts, has pushed back many current and potential participants.In my case these option do help. My wife, who is the smart one, to the bountiful understands the procedures and requirements of HASs and FSAs and has save us in the last years 100s of dollars in healthcare costs, this dedication and full sagaciousness of my family healthcare needs, has by far moon curser the time-burden it requires to manage them. What are the concerns for low-income individuals? Catherine Flynn 5/16/2012 51720 PM For low income families its a big engagement to be able to afford insurance. sometimes it can even be something that they just dont think about cause it may not be the firs thing on their mind.When youre worrying about other bills, that could take precedent over insurance. Until someone gets sick, then you realize that on top of all the bills, you need coin for when you or your child is sick or needs hospital care. For my family when I was growing up, we knew insurance was important because I was a pretty sick kid, so I was always needing indemnify visits and medicines, and of course ER visits since I was also clumsy. Then my mothers health started to decline as I got older. So having some straighten out of insurance was extremely important and I always knew that its beneficial to have some type of funds available should emergencies occur.When I was in college there were a few years I had to go without benefits. at present and even then I felt up extremely lucky I didnt get sick because if I had I would have had a lot of bills. Not only because of that but because My mother and I had assistance, Im very grateful for it. However not everyone has that, and not everyone is eligible for it because they work. merely their salaries may not be enough to get them health care, so they have the option of determination a job that might offer benefits, or get a consequence job to try and get a plan on their own.It can be very difficult, and its something you need to ask yourself. are you passing play to try your hardest to protect yourself with insurance, or are you going to risk it? I think it depends alot on each persons circumstances. What are the concerns for low-income individuals? Michael McArdle 5/18/2012 104339 AM Personally I just feel that low-income people are in trouble of never being able to afford healthcare. There are people that can go to Health Clinics but there is still a fee of $5, $10 or $20, based on income level, and many people cannot even afford to pay the gists that are listed.Sometimes when I visit to see the Dentist because I dont a alveolar plan, I pay $20, I hear the stories of the people talking to each other makes me almost want to melt in my seat hearing about their life stories and the struggles they have. It is j ust so sad that all of these people I see in the hold live are unable to afford to see a Family Doctor, it makes me feel sad. RE What are the concerns for low-income individuals? Aly Traore 5/18/2012 43425 AM what you said is very true and sad, but unfortunately it is the reality. n my opinion, to better live in ground forces in these days, you have to be at least in middle class that is the level where you can benefit from the system of economy in particular healthcare system. low- income is just a beautiful explicate to cover the word poor in the government vocabulary. Consumer Driven Healthcare (graded) Consumer drive healthcare has become popular over the past few years as employees seek tax advantages and cost savings on healthcare. What are some of the primordial features of a consumer dictated healthcare plan? Does your company shortly offer any of these plans?If so, are you taking advantage of them? Why or why not? RE Consumer Driven Healthcare Sylvia Privette 5/15/2012 100236 PM LynnI agree, with healthcare becoming more and more expensive, for the little things people are kickoff to self heal as much as possible. Those over the counter medicines are on the rise for purchases because its cheaper. Individuals wait until self healing is no longer working to go to the reinstate. I am starting to see more people looking for the cheaper health plans. The plans offered by the government based on income determines your division.Some of these plans depending on pay shell are cheaper the what employers are asking. Also free clinics are on the rise for health care, the medical buses we see sometimes like to get your blood pressure checked, or free screenings, free flu shots, mammograms and the use of the department of health especially for children. These are some of the cheaper ways people are staring to use. RE Consumer Driven Healthcare Manqing Liu 5/20/2012 104922 PM Many large employers are offering consumer-driven plans, also cognize as high-deductible plans.These plans require employees and beneficiaries to be more involved, not less, in health care issues. Employee health and eudaimonia affect not only absenteeism, but also bottom-line issues such as handicap, workers compensation, and productivity. RE Consumer Driven Healthcare Aaron Jones 5/16/2012 42300 AM With the high cost that comes with healthcare people are becoming smart consumers when looking for the right healthcare package, it may not have all the benefits people are looking for but as long is the price is right people will just get what they can afford these days.Free clinics, over the counter medicines, whatever will work for that person helps the consumer deal better with healthcare issues. consumer-driven plans Mark Lema 5/16/2012 11752 PM The term consumer-driven evolved out of a concept of a defined contribution in contrast to a defined benefit. Many large employers are offering consumer-driven plans, also known as high-de ductible plans. These plans require employees and beneficiaries to be more involved, not less, in health care issues.Employee health and well-being affect not only absenteeism, but also bottom-line issues such as check, workers compensation, and productivity. Does your company before long offer any of these plans? If so, are you taking advantage of them? Why o Catherine Flynn 5/16/2012 52255 PM Our company offers two separate plans, and one of them does fall under this category. Alot of our employees actually do take advantage of this particular plan versus our personal choice plan. I however do not, so unfortunately I lack alot of the specifics about it.I think our biggest question right now is whats going to happen in June, because that will affect our negotiation meetings with our brokers that are coming up soon. It could not change at all, or it could change completely. I will say that because Im not to familiar with both plans yet I cant say that I know which one is best for me. I do know however that I am very prone to acquiring sick, and often, so I suppose that would play a big factor in my choice of benefits. RE Does your company currently offer any of these plans?If so, are you taking advantage of them? W Aaron Jones 5/17/2012 44837 AM This is a tough situation to be in but like most companies we all have to sit back and look over the choices we have when it comes to making the right choice for health care and I am sure you will sit down and make the best choice for you and your family. Just pray that the company does not make to many changes to the healthcare and if they do it works out for all that is involved in this situation. Good hazard consumer driven healthcare Aly Traore 5/17/2012 101456 PM consumer-driven health care is a good idea, and even better a good system, but with a deregulated health care system environment, it will be very hard for employee to stick to it for long, because the cost of health care is increasing every day. in my opinion, to be better enjoy all the health care benefits, the system has to be regulated. Does your company currently offer any of these plans? Michael McArdle 5/18/2012 105113 AM Our company does offer a lower cost plan if a person has a first-string doctor, and it does cost less than a PPO, however the cost of seeing a doctor is still very high, close to $50, and if someone gets a prescription, they pay close to the full price that the prescription would have been to someone without insurance, so overall it is worth paid more for a PPO because the cost to see a doctor or get a prescription is much lower, and if you have a major chance and need surgery, a person is more likely to get the treatment they need over not getting help if their insurance was low cost and does not cover surgeries for emergencies. FSAs Natasha Wylie 5/20/2012 12527 PM My company offers flexible spending accounts. Flexible Spending Accounts permit employees to pay for specified health c are cost that are not covered by an employees insurance plan. For the upcoming benefit year I did elect a pre=tax contribution to FSA. This year I expect to have dental work done and having access to the money direct and pre-tax is an added and much needed benefit. RE FSAs Norma Vega 5/21/2012 63929 PM Hello Natasha,Same here.I am going to be getting some dental work as well as some minor nasal strict surgery done and being able to pay the $500 out of pocket cost with a pre tax card is such a luxury. I really have no idea how anyone could not like these benefits. I think it comes down to people being scared of having money taken out, not realizing theyre going to spend it anyway post tax. I also think that some people cant comprehend simply how much they are saving from taxes. What are some of the get wind features of a consumer driven healthcare plan? Natasha Wylie 5/20/2012 13803 PM The key features of consumer driven health care plans are It helps employers maintain c ontrol over cost Enables employees to lower the cost of insurance premiums through high deductibles Puts a restriction on employees ability to make choices about who they want to receive treatment though via in out of network providers key features of a consumer driven healthcare plan Manqing Liu 5/20/2012 104217 PM Transforming the third-party reimbursement system into one that puts economic buying power and decision-making in the custody of the consumer.Supplying the information and decision support tools needed, along with financial incentives, rewards and other benefits that encourage personal involvement in altering health and health care purchasing behaviors. allow consumers, rather than health plans, control health care decisions. Week 4 discussion intent insurance policy Plans (graded) A major concern for most employees is caring for their families in the pillowcase of the employees closing. Many employers provide life insurance for employees. Does your organi zation offer a meeting insurance policy?If so, what is the basic plan design of your organizations life insurance policy, and forhow much are you covered? RE collection life insurance plans Manqing Liu 5/27/2012 105200 PM assemblage life insurance is term insurance covering a grouping of people, ordinarily employees of a company or members of a union or association. Individual test copy of insurability is not normally a thoughtfulness in the underwriting. Rather, the underwriter considers the size, turnover and financial strength of the group. Contract provisions will attempt to exclude the possibility of wayward selection.Group life insurance often includes a provision for a member exiting the group to buy individual coverage. Group life insurance plans Aaron Jones 5/19/2012 70848 AM There are three different types of group insurance and this company uses number one for there employees from what I was reading out of the company policy. 1) Basic group term lifeThis is the most typical coverage, providing basic coverage and often paid for by the employer. The premiums (up to $50,000) paid for by the employer are considered to be an employee income untaxed benefit. ) Supplegenial group term lifeOften offered by employers in society with a basic group term life policy, this type of coverage provides the flexibleness for the employee to purchase sum totalal amounts of coverage. The employee chooses the type and amount of coverage to suit personal needs and circumstances and pays the cost for the premiums. 3) Portable term lifeEmployees who lose the employers group eligibility (they either leave the group or retire) can take this coverage with them to continue their insurance tax shelter generally until they yield age 70.They make their payments directly to the insurer, many times through electronic funds transfers. From what I saw when I was reading the company policy when it comes to life insurance they use the typical coverage for there emplo yees, they have there reasons why they do things the way they do it because everybody have different reasons for life insurance mostly this company uses number1 for there employees. Life Insurance Plans Catherine Flynn 5/20/2012 24640 PM We offer voluntary life insurance plans for employee, their spouse, and dependents. each are available in increments of $10,000.Each plan has a supreme benefit of $500,000 only for dependents, this insurance is only available in $2,500, $5,000, $7,000 or $10,000. This is only available for 30 days after you acquire the dependent (birth, marriage, adoption). I personally feel as though its important for me to make sure my family, even though small, should be protected if I can afford it. Accidents happen, and if I have the available funds why not put money away for that purpose? Ive always been a squirrel when it comes to money so saving plans like these are a good fit for me. state of matter life insurance plan Crystal Johnson 5/20/2012 7 2250 PM From what I understand, my life insurance plan matches my base pay. fore pay is $20,000 to $25, 000 less than my actually income because of the amount of over time that I do. If I get killed on state blank spaceit suppose to be three times my base pay. Rumored has it that the hostage situation that happened in 1998 where a staff was killed by another staff member the grieving family had to go to court to get the triple pay out. The insurance company said that the death was not caused by a patient so they did not want to pay. eve though the killer staffer was upset about upper management decision to fire him.Group Life InsuranceThe Commonwealth of pascal provides life insurance coverage for unchanging employees through The prudential Insurance troupe of America. The amount of life insurance is bear upon to your annual salary (rounded to the nearest $1,000) as of the date of hire, up to a maximum of $40,000. The amount of insurance is adjusted on January 1 of each year t o account for pay changes. There is a 90-day delay period from your date of hire before coverage takes effect. Eligible employees will receive a Welcome Kit from Prudential within three months of hire.The kit will include the Booklet/Certificate that confirms coverage and outlines the contract provisions that apply, as well as a Group Insurance Beneficiary Designation/Change form. RE Commonwealth life insurance plan Natasha Wylie 5/28/2012 113436 AM Life insurance should really be called death insurance. homogeneous other types of insurance, life insurance is protection against the unknown. When you buy life insurance, youre paying for the tranquility of mind that your family will be taken care of in the event of your abrupt demise. Life insurance is the life detonating device in the fishing boat..You hope to never have to use it, but its slight to know its there. Some people call life insurance gambling. They think that youre throwing away a bunch of money on the off ch ance that youll die young. But when life insurance is handled correctly, it isnt gambling at all. Its simply part of a larger economic plan whose goal is the financial security of your family. Its a shame that often times its not handled correctly. Imputed Income Crystal Johnson 5/24/2012 55552 PM Income that may not be seen as cash, but instead comes in the form of a benefit ometimes by having another pay an expense sometimes by having a benefit provided. Examples The value of a car provided by your employer that you may use for personal use. That value is imputed income. Likewise, the value of having some other benefits over $50,000 a year of life insurance provided by your employer (the value of the insurance is imputed income). An employer sponsored (even if what it does just work to make the costs lower) of an on position cafeteria imputed benefit. Having a below market rate loan that some employers provide original employees he lower interest that they forgoe is a bene fit to you and hence imputed income. Read more http//wiki. answers. com/Q/What_is_imputed_incomeixzz1vpnMNB4x Definition of Imputed Income Lynn Peirce 5/24/2012 93306 PM As per our discussion in class tonight, imputed income is defined, as follows Imputed income is the addition of the value of cash/non-cash compensation to an employees taxable wages in order to mighty withhold income and employment taxes from the wages. Imputed income is taxable to the assignee (unless specifically exempt).Because it is delivered for the performance of services (related to employment) it must be included in the assignees Form W-2 to accurately reflect the assignees taxable wage-related income (see http//definitions. uslegal. com/i/imputed-income/). I didnt want to add too much because Crystal also defined it in her post. Life Insurance Natasha Wylie 5/28/2012 112845 AM Employee sponsored life insurance gives employees a peacefulness of mind in the event of death. Having life insurance reli eves some of the financial burden left on grieving love ones.Employee-sponsored life insurance protects family members by paying a specified amount to n employees beneficiary upon the employees death. damage Plans (graded) In addition to replacing household income when an employee either retires or is no longer working, he or she may also carry some type of income- fill-in plan in the event they become change. Does your current (or former) employer offer stultification coverage for employees? What are the specifics of your coverage? Do you feel the need to purchase appurtenant disablement insurance? Why or why not? RE check coverage Crystal Johnson 5/22/2012 20829 AM Jobs that offer short term balk insurance as part of a benefits package creates more loyalty in employees than jobs that do not offer it. Human beings are going to acquire bumps and bruises as part of the age and wisdom baggage. short-circuit term constipation insurance gives you the luxury to in full hea l while keeping a roof over your head and raman noodles on your plate. When employees knowthat theywill be able to recuperate without financial stressesfrom standing-on-the-stool-to-change -a-light-but-crashed-landed-into-the-wall, they are more willing to go stay where they are appreciated and valued. Disability Coverage Lynn Peirce 5/20/2012 15131 AM Of course, the firm I currently work for does not offer disability insurance since I am a Medicaid recipient, I currently would not need it. As far as purchasing supplemental disability insurance, I found an example of coverage from feature Insurance Company, as follows Disability income insurance is paid directly to you for covered disability for up to two years* when you are tout ensemble disabled and cant work due to accident or sickness. You are protected, on or off the job, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.You are considered totally disabled when you are under the regular care of a physician and are unable to perform the sub stantial and material duties of your own occupation. Income Protector works in company with Social Security and Workers Compensation to help you maximize your benefits. When no social benefit** is paid, Combined Insurance pays you the full benefit amount of your selected plan. When a social benefit is paid, our disability income protection makes up any shortfall between your target replacement paycheck and your social benefit payment. ** However, Combined Insurance will never pay less than 40% of the benefit amount purchased (http//www. combinedinsurance. com/insurance-types/disability-insurance. html). I think it is probably a good idea, if you have a family and can afford it, but on the other hand, we are already paying into Disability, and it seems like another money-maker for insurance companies. I mean, there is insurance for just about everything any longer (like pet insurance). How far does it go, and how much should an employer provide when the cost of health insurance is a lready so high? Aflac Crystal Johnson 5/20/2012 73808 PM I am not a saver. I know I should be more responsible and put money awayfor rainy days. I know that I should put away 10% of my income forlifesfinancial thunderstorms. I dont have a financialumbrella. I like terpsichore in the rain so I got Aflac. Aflacgave our union a group rate fordisability insurance and secondary life insurance. My coworkersallowed Aflac totake out money out of their check because the wanted a stronger tack on of mind andplanB to their savings plan.I choose to have Aflac take out money out of mycheck because I cant be trusted to do it myself. RE Disability Plans Lynn Peirce 5/23/2012 50832 PM They have to pay people/employees to do this, so they have to make it worth everyones while. The cost to the employer has to be validated in order for it to continue. RE supplemental disability insurance Aaron Jones 5/24/2012 62107 AM I am sure that a whole lot of people will need this type of insuran ce when they get to a point in their life and hopefully the insurance will cover the things they will need cover once it kicks in.The rules always change when the person really needs this type of coverage this is why the person must make sure evrything is still good before the insurance is needed. Disbility plans Harpreet Sandhu 5/23/2012 102053 PM Short term disability insurance can replace a portion of income during the initial weeks of a disabling illness or accident whereas, long term disability can replace a portion of income after those initial weeks, for an extended period. Some people have one or both of these through their employer.Many people also choose to purchase individual disability insurance on their own. Individual Disability Income Insurance can provide protection for people who do not have disability insurance available through their workplace or may be used to supplement group coverage through their workplace. Some of the benefits of MetLifes Individual Disa bility Income Insurance include periodical Benefit Paymentsafter an initial waiting period, benefits are paid for each month you cant work through the policys maximum benefit period.Noncancelable and Guaranteed Renewable Coverage Available Provided premiums are paid on time, MetLife cannot cancel or change your coverage or premium rates until the first premium due date on or after your 67th birthday. www. metlife. com/individual/insurance/disability-insurance/index. html Do you feel the need to purchase supplemental disability insurance? Manqing Liu 5/25/2012 81345 PM Most people dont realize the risk of becoming disabled, permanently or temporarily, at some point in their lives. But the reality is that at age 40, your chances of becoming disabled for 90 days or more prior to age 65 is 43%. Source 2004 Field Guide, National Underwriter). I think it is necessary to purchase a disability insurance. RE Do you feel the need to purchase supplemental disability insurance? Aly Tr aore 5/25/2012 84959 PM why would you want to buy an additional insurance, if you can invest your money someplace else to make profit over the time period. in my opinion, I think if your goal is to buy that supplemental insurance just to have more money in a case where you get disable or retired, this is not a good option. RE cordial Health Paridy Act Sylvia Privette 5/25/2012 84606 PM Modified5/25/2012 847 PM The Mental Health Parity Act (MHPA) provides for parity bit in the application of aggregate living and annual dollar limits on mental health benefits with dollar limits on medical/surgical benefits. A plan that does not chit-chat an annual or animation dollar limit on medical and surgical benefits may not impose such a dollar limit on mental health benefits offered under the plan. MHPA does not apply to benefits for substance call out or chemical dependency. Health plans are not required to include mental health benefits in their benefits package. MHPA only appl ies to those plans that do offer mental health benefits. ttp//www. dol. gov/dol/topic/health-plans/mental. htm disability benefit Manqing Liu 5/26/2012 94415 PM Monthly disability benefit depends on your average lifetime earnings. The amount also may be affected by your receipt of other government benefits. If you are getting workers compensation, civil service, military, state temporary disability or state and local retirement benefits based on disability, the total amount combined with your Social Security disability benefits may not exceed 80 percent of your average earnings at the time of your disability.Should your total government benefit go over that amount, your Social Security benefit will be reduced. Disability payments from private sources do not affect your SSDI benefits. Does your current (or former) employer offer disability coverage for employees? Natasha Wylie 5/28/2012 123542 PM My organization offers short and long term disability. Short-term disability pr ovides income if employees are not able to work due to a non-work related illness or injury.Long-term disability coverage allows employees to continue receiving a portion of their salary for a period of time if they are disabled and cannot perform the duties of your regular job or injured. This employer-provided benefit provides 60 percent of base pay up to $10,000 per month maximum. Disability Plans Natasha Wylie 5/28/2012 14349 PM There arefour laws that turn the design and implementation of company sponsered disability plans ERISA ADEA The americans with disabilities Act State Workers compensation and Social Secuity Disability Regulations