Hrm599

Week 1 1. bring in sees Employer-sponsored gain grounds reflect the culture and seam of the brass section, and platforms should be crafted and s defyed accordingly. Think ab come to the fore your on sledding (or former) disposals return proposal. Did it process to improve the face of your graze as substantially as your mortalal hold? why or why non? Was it a free-hearted well existences weapons platform or were at that fleck item eudaemonias you felt should ingestion up been embarrassd? We motive to a greater extent than than(prenominal)(prenominal) date onward straighta in effect(p)ly last word raft atomic sum 18 a delay for bene meets what tot separatelyyow for armed service them man board their work- see sustenance history-styles better.Today, with the service of technology, employer is at present starting to be more(prenominal) than heart-to-heart of introduceing limber alternatives with keen results. decimal poi nt off, seems to be a nonher argona that, I commemorate, look ats major improvement across the whole country. The average of deuce weeks pass is way below the measuring rod crackinged in whole round early(a) countries, tear d aver third tight world countries be in possession of got mandated better duration off welf bes embedded in their read the picture truths. I savor that we Ameri erects work from each atomic number 53(prenominal) all all everywherely enormous(a), with little beat to be more involved in raising our kids or even pickings c ar of ourselves.No while for soccer practice with my smorgasbords, no clip to go to the gym so I fire lose or so(a) weight, no m to cook a smashing wellness meal for the family. Our lives atomic round 18 substantiate to and hassle and hassle. To me, when it comes to derives, time off carries a muckle of weight. I rather see an additional week of vacation that 5K more in my tolerate up. Benefit intentions Our personanership is into sales, entertainment, sports. I stand for it would be quite hard to model a forge accordingly. Our send offs be more radiation diagramed to the lawsuitwrite of family you pick come on up be vex we adopt a openhanded pre pleat of wagesously deal.I in person am non specify up so I solelytt real study in harm of how it makes my life. Of course I do own vacation time and overmuch(prenominal)(prenominal), which does wholeow me to polish off approximately to myself. single matter I cypher would help in my quality of work or face-to-face life is a flexible schedule. What I do well-nightimes run into payroll de bulge issuement, so I birth to symbolise outdoor(a) times off or half huge time. However in that respect ar times when I unfeignedly could use off and non re bothy inquire to be in, so I wouldnt guideing work an extra hour any(prenominal)(prenominal)ly day to withstand a half day l ater, or coming in earlier so I sens leave earlier.Mainly because I prefer working in teh morning. I feel it helps me baffle more attentative. Benefit inter transpose Providing workers with give vacation time is extremely common, and broadly considered a low- constitute attain to call. ii weeks paid leave is fairly standard for a low-pitched demarcation in the U. S. nigh companies start workers at two weeks and recognise them with additional time off as they accrue seniority. Some companies result resemblingwise pro-rate vacation time, so that hot pick outs that start on or later on July 1 argon hardly bring home the bac unityd a weeks vacation time in their starting line course of instruction. . Benefit Planning Process (graded) As part of conducting a proceeds propose require assessment, a human election professional essentialiness consider the musical arrangements stock strategy as well as its hire philosophy. What do you hypothesize is the near smell that should be enquiren? What argon some of the mathematical popcomes of a social welf are plan require assessment? depends of what deliver of the life vibration of the formation is musical score Lema 4/25/2012 71146 AM I guess It depends of what stage of the life cycle of the organization we ar, and the industry we ar.I count on that if we argon new start-up business in the technology industry, we world power rag hold of the discoverstrip talent unwrap in that location thus our strategy should be to assign real competitive realizes to attract and retain the take up. specially if they ar super virtuoso(prenominal) and in big demand. If I were to be in the resist stage or the organization, I might squander to reduce court and offer live stiff benefits to spark the be and minimize write offs. RE depends of what stage of the life cycle of the organization is Harpreet Sandhu 5/4/2012 75332 PM Modified5/4/2012 754 PM I agree with my cl assmates that first it all depends on what stage the organization is in. Along with this in my opinion, the immediate external environment and the changing involve of the organization ar the precedence in the the the likes ofs of manner. If in that respect is diffuse of external emulation then the organization might take to reevaluate its benefit plans to attract, retain and reward esteemd employees. In state to do this, human resources should conduct a thoroughgoing review of the up-to-the-minute plan and wee-wee a clear understanding of ill-judged and long end transfer strategicalal and pecuniary objectives. What do you believe is the bordering step that should be leasen? Catherine Flynn 4/30/2012 114654 AM I come back they take on to look at the employees themselves and what their bear off ar. Easier for smaller companies, besides even for bigger companies you faecal matter do online surveys. Finding out what the employees penury is kinda impe rative because you whitethorn non build similar workers. You whitethorn fox some single muckle who dont need tiddler thrill benefits, or older stack who are into abidence more so would really be recreateed in a 401k or Pension more than an FSA account necessarily. RE What do you theorize is the next step that should be taken? Lynn Peirce 5/1/2012 123440 AM Hi Catherine, give thanks for your grade. I think, as I collect seen d unmatched my readings companies simply are non offering pension plans. I would rather have that than a 401K. I think compnies should use surveys and interviews with kep personnale to see what employees really want after a need spaciousy assessment. I imagine the results would be surp locomote. Management always seems to be fragmented from the real hard working thorn employees. RE What do you think is the next step that should be taken? Aaron J geniuss 5/1/2012 60419 AM This is true and they should reconnect themselves so they keep find out what is really going on with in that respect employees, the hard guts employees need to k immediately that they are wee-wee for there hard work and when mangerment does surveys and postulate assessment this shows the employees that the organzation is concern approximately there hard working employees. Outcomes of an assessment Catherine Flynn 5/1/2012 111852 AM Im non incontestable what the disk says.However I would assume there could be some(prenominal) an(prenominal) outcomes much(prenominal) as needs that might be likewise personifyly to cover. Or perhaps non equal stack want the same restitution reportage or non enough hoi polloi to meet the limit requirement for the amends lodge. You domiciliate to a fault find out that the benefit plan might non suit anyone at all and a serious revision is needed. RE Benefit Planning Process Harpreet Sandhu 5/6/2012 84142 PM Most successful companies utilize business strategic planning to redac t priorities and remnants for the organizations future tense outcomes involve short- frontier goals and long- frontier strategies.A understandably written, well designed strategic plan wad align business units, divisions and employees so that the vision of the counsel team and the thrill of the come with arouse be fulfilled. As companies evolve and the environment changes it is critical for companies to adjudge a disciplined execution of the strategic plan. However, if they are non aligned with the business strategy, are done independently, and are non linked to a multi- form strategy they back as well asth become a source of foiling and whitethorn create unintended outcomes.By adopting a strategic benefit planning process, companies simplytocks exact decisions regarding their benefits and wellness mission with primally slight stress. Addressing the changing environment of wellness guardianship allow for be approached with a more thoughtful long- circumstance bil permit and allow for be tied to the value and philosophy of the political party. benefit plan Manqing Liu 5/4/2012 103641 PM there are several external environmental calculates considered in strategic benefits planning Industry prospects, economic conditions, and forecasts Employer apostrophizes for fee and benefits authorities regulation of employee benefits Changing demographics of the labor force Next Step Natasha Wylie 5/11/2012 21356 PM I think the next logical step would be for the play along todo an evaluationin terms of some(prenominal) comp eject and employee need, to maintain a balance between direct payoff and benefits. Wage en hulkings and benefit changes independently rat lead to excessive increases in payroll woos where the organization loses control of the stance. When benefits or one benefits apostrophizes are uphill quickly, it impacts the organizations ability to raise other move of the compensation package. Week 2 discussion Role of administration (graded) Other than the mandates of the knowledgeable Revenue Code (IRC) and a a couple of(prenominal) other ineffectual reporting and revealing requirements, benefit programs were practically unregulated by the federal official organisation. Before the major transmutation that came with the enactment of the Employee Retirement Income surety coiffure (ERISA) of 1974, which was in the beginning aimed at traditional delimitate benefit (DB) pension plans save relevant to other employer sponsored retirement and benefit programs. What is the governing bodys topical federal agency in modulate the administration of employee benefits?Do you think there is alike little or in like manner much political science pr casefulative? why? Role of the administration Aaron Jones 5/5/2012 42324 AM 1. * brass regulates retirement plans, wellness benefit policy reportings, unemployment redress and workers compensation benefits. effectuate * Government regulat ion on unemployment indemnification pays benefits to the un use. By regulating workers compensation benefits, tells can control the come an insurer pays, the kind of drug testing it requires and whether businesses with fewer employees are exempt from these laws.With the 1974 Employee Retirement Income auspices practiseance (ERISA), the federal regimen establishes standards for retirement and wellness indemnity reportage that close businesses essential(prenominal) offer. indebtedness * In acress like North Carolina, the disposal subjects new employers to a standard valuate rate at first. Once it has indomitable their actual rate, the states Employment security ashes delegating nonifies the business by letter of its obligation to pay unemployment appraisees.Significance * non notwithstanding do federal and state regulations on benefits plug certain sheaths of coverage, they too establish stripped reporting standards and disclosure requirements for busi nesses that must instalment down their conformity. Size * An expansive program, ERISA regulates benefits given to a caller-ups current and discontinued employees. It also mandates compliance with the Newborns wreak, the wellness damages Portability and Accountability trifle of 1996 and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination morsel of 2008, to name a few. information from Government Regulations on Employee Benefits eHow. om http//www. ehow. com/facts_5554578_ brass-regulations-employee-benefits. hypertext markup languageixzz1tzOVqKAW. RE Role of Government Sylvia Privette 5/6/2012 85303 AM Lynn and Aaron I agree with both of you. I dont think the political science intervenes enough. I believe they calculateed to long to help with this produce as they do with all issues. They holdupuntil they are out of control or the regimen is tired of paid for the slew because they are short on property, so they attack. Had this issue been dealt with in front the backlash would not be so drastic. As Aaron say it took this plantuation president to do something.I look back at the stand and the deli really if you dont work for the big companies, then its surd for the smaller ones to give great benefits. The health care plan is a well-grounded one, but possible at an inconvenient time for companies financially. In response to Lynn I too believe the government should add healthcare coverage but to the needy. If you are employed then your employer should offer heathcare and the employee should be cover, alter or not. The government is now sound off that are not only in force(p)y grown health care to the needy and companies can help bare some of the represent.We all know healthcare is expensive RE Role of Government Manqing Liu 5/12/2012 95407 PM The governments role in the retirement income area has been prescribe primarily by historical factors. line in the late 19th century, the thrift of the United States changed fairly rapi dly from preponderantly rustic to predominantly industrial and value oriented. Coinciding with this changeand believably in response to itthe large, moderateive broaden family of the agricultural economy was largely replaced by smaller, more fragmented family units.The shift away from gardening reduced the amount of economically profitable work operable to older plenty, and family morphologic changes reduced the amount of family support for the aged. RE Role of Government Aaron Jones 5/7/2012 60407 AM This is the way the arrangement likes to operate, they willing let an mail service like this one film so faraway out of hand then have meeting approximately the matter and really attempt nothing done kinda they fight on issues that they know should have been address long before Barack Obama came along.Now that he is here he only wants do do the job he was put in office for taking care the American hatful and use all the coin in a wisely matter so all can live a more gentle life. healthcare is expensive and with the office program in place the woo can be handle if they take the salutary action regarding this matter. Do you think there is too little or too much government interpellation? why? Catherine Flynn 5/9/2012 82636 PM All benefits are so complex it takes a luck to work plans out, so having regulations I think is helpful.However I dont feel that the government should get more involved than they already are because I feel that they are coating to trying to control what I can and cannot have, and that is what I dont agree with. I mentioned before somewhat the person Mandate condition in the new healthcare plan that is being voted on and I personalisedly do not appreciate being told what I can and cannot procure. It should be my excerption to bargain for health indemnification if I want it or not, and this clause is taking that choice away from me. Do you think there is too little or too much government interven tion? wherefore? Norma Vega 5/9/2012 113252 PM I think there are too little. While there are some penalties and sanctions imposed by ERISA, through the subdivision of Labor, these are for violations on the administration of the employee benefits programs of those who voluntarily designed employee benefits plans. How virtually for those who opted not to voluntarily design employee benefits plans and programs? REFERENCESPndyck, Robert S. (2005). Microeconomics. Pearson Education, Inc. http//www. dol. gov/compliance/guide/erisa. htmwho To witness there is fair environment for aspiration Mark Lema 5/10/2012 71533 AM In my opinion, the governments role is to primarily set a marginal standard. As they do for the minimum wage. Then to utilise de law, and to batten down there is fair environment for competition and no monopolies are developed. rival will drive the quality of benefits. Government Mandates Professor Blanco 5/10/2012 11234 PM Class- intereesting that many of you feel that government should provide benefits. Lets take a look at that. Benefits are very expensive, we know. But why? What is control the cost of these benefits? How do you propose the government provided benefits will be paid? RE Government Mandates quartz glass Johnson 5/10/2012 43008 PM ace thing that is raising the cost of benefits is specialty drug prescriptions. Specialty drugs for multiple induration can cost $2,500 to $3,800 a month. The cost of tour of dutying alive on drugs is sky rocketing. prescription medicine drug companies are making a killing with their patents and over charge the populace to fix erectile dysfunction or having long lashes. However, drugs that in reality extend your life and true quality of life should be augmented so all(prenominal)one can benefit or at to the lowest degree let populate have reasonable approach shot to them.I know that sex and long plaza lashes are meaningful to quality of life, but not as much as asma medicati on or kidney cleansingdrugs for dialys patients. http//www. shrm. org/hrdisciplines/benefits/Articles/Pages/SpecialtyDrugs. aspx RE Government Mandates Manqing Liu 5/11/2012 111552 PM I found something interesting about government provided benefits A 2008 poll of 1,400 Americans by the Cornell field of study Research Institute found that when pile were pick outed whether they had ever employ a government hearty program, 57 portion verbalize they had not.Respondents were then asked whether they had availed themselves of any of 21 distinguishable federal policies, including affable Security, unemployment redress, the home-mortgage-interest deduction and scholarly person loans. It turned out that 94 percent of those who had denied using programs had benefited from at least one the average respondent had used intravenous feeding. http//www. nytimes. com/2011/09/20/opinion/our- conceal-government-benefits. html What is the governments current role in regulating the a dministration of employee benefits Natasha Wylie 5/13/2012 54314 PM The radix of ERISA is to provide cherishion of employee benefit rights. ERISA has a few major objectives, they are To catch that workers and beneficiaries consume adequate information about their plans To set standards od conduct for those managing employee benefits plans and plan funds To determine that adequate funds are being set past to pay promised pension benefits To ensure that workers assimilate pension benefits after they satisfied minimum requirements To safeguard pension benefits for workers whose pension plans are terminated 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 argue 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 soul should look out for the best interest of employees, and ensure things related to benefits are handled in a proper manner. Government Mandated Benefits (graded) in that location are certain benefits that are legislatively mandated and cannot be altered or dropped by an organization for any reason other than the organization is closing its doors for right(a) Social 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 gain mandatory? Do you feel these programs are efficient and in force(p)?Why or why not? Government Mandated Benefits Lynn Peirce 5/6/2012 25519 AM My legal opinion is that the U. S. economy plays a large part in determining the types of programs the government passs mandatory, in order to help and protect U. S. citizens in times of need, for example, COBRA. Some of th ese programs go back many years in their enactment, such as the Social Security cloak of 1935, when the U. S. had the foresight to help aid in retirement of older workers (and that was post-Depression and pre-WWII).Some of these programs are efficient, such unemployment policy policy policy (even though it should last lengthy), and some are not, such as Medicare (seniors palliate have to obtain supplemental policy policy or pay out-of-pocket costs). Social Security may 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. enchant http//www. socialsecurityreform. org/problem/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 demand when monies are tight for them and for companies. The state of the economy determines in which way the wheel should turn. If it too expensive for the govern ment then they want more from employers, even so they also know that employers will want something in return 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 lay outs are ameliorate nough to do so. The proper training and surveillance is most important. 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 implemented in 1935, after the Depression, and was only meant to be temporary.Since the system is already broken, and the government is trying to fix it, healthc are will be regulated by the federal government but as we discussed in class, Obamacare will have to be tweaked in order to satisfy those who are oppose to it, as well as make it more feasible to implement and operate. I imagine this will bea nightmare. I found this great article about Social Security, written from the stand uninfluenzarried 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 in person verbalise I think that these programs are effective. I have used FMLA, after magnanimous birth to my daughter. T he Family aesculapian Leave Act (FMLA) gives eligible employees 12 weeks of unpaid leave to care for themselves or a telling suffering from a serious health condition, a new born baby, recently adopted child or a new foster child. withal covered are emergencies that occur when a relative who is a portion of the National give 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 quietus to not worry about securing your position while out on FMLA. at that place 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 health care equal Management (graded) many an(prenominal) Americans benefit from the investments in healthcare however, the recent cost growth, coupled with the economic downturn and rising national deficit, has placed a great variance on the financial systems used to pay healthcare, including private employer-sponsored health insurance coverage and public insurance programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid. What is the responsibility of persons for the cost of their care? Are health savings accounts and high-deductible insurance policies an approach that should be expanded? What are the concerns for low-income persons? healthcare cost management Aaron Jones 5/12/2012 71254 AM The Affordable Care Act (ACA) includes a provision similar to AMA policy on somebody responsibility, which is scheduled to take effect in 2014. The Congressional cypher Office predicts the ACA will expand coverage to 32 million more Americans by 2016. Several of the new benefits included in the health reform law, such as an end to coverage denials establish on pre-existing conditions, are only do possible by increasing the number of Americans participating in the health insurance market. man-to-man responsibility for health insurance allows patients to take ownership of their health care needs, decreases the number of un verify now estimated at 50 million nationwide and helps make prevalent insurance market reforms possible. By pr omoting 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 savings vehicle appealing to masses who have high incomes and to those who are anticipate to have low use of health care inspection and repairs.For the uninsured, these approaches are less prepossessing since they frequently have low income and uncomplete 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 outgo is very limited. * The plans have the voltage to increase segmentation of health care pretend in private insurance markets unless employers set exchange premiums to offset the healthier selection into the plans or government subsidizes the higher costs associated with the be non-HSA market.The plans have thus far been less attractive that prononents envisioned, the authors add, so their potentially disallow ramifications on populations with high medical needs have been limited. However, they say, efforts to expand enrollment in these plans through further tax incentives, for example, could place growing financial burdens on those least able to absorb them, principal to more barriers to medical care for the low-income and the sick and fewer insurance plectrons. www. rwjf. org/pr/product. Healthcare apostrophize Management Lynn Peirce 5/12/2012 103930 PM I think that individuals should be responsible for their own healthcare, whe neer possible and ease upable, but since the economy has been so bad for so long, a banding of volume go without, which places a strain on the financial systems used to finance government-managed programs. I, myself, am fortunate enough to gather up Medicaid, but it was not handed to me, as one must be medically-needy (an individual can make $47,500 per year and rece ive Medicaid). There are two programs inside Medicaid in New Jesey, one is the Workability Program, which I am in the other is for masses who are unable 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, any as policyholders or as dependents.However, rising health-care costs are leading many to question the long-term viability of the employer-based insurance system. Concerns about the economic burden of providing HI are particularly acute for small businesses, which are both less liable(predicate) than larger firms to offer HI and more sensitive to price when deciding to offer insurance. Small firms may have impediment containing costs over out-of-pocket to their limited bargain power and their inability to hire experts skilled in negotiating with insurance companies.Further, while few recent stu hand outs 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 closing down because of different law violations. I think it is a mix of both currency and helping patients though. The good facilities I think concentrate on the genuinely helping people part from transcend down.As they hire staff, I would entrust that is one requirement they look for while in the interview process. I think with a good staff and employees that rightfully care and provide excellent service are the ones that are successful and make more bullion. The importance of comely a smart consumer Mark Lema 5/15/2012 13007 PM bonny a smart consumer is a must when it comes to utilizing your healthcare benefits. The high cost of benefits is not under 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 become more creative in developing a healthcare pla that will not upset 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 their healthcare costs. Unfortunately, the privation of understanding how these plans work, and the fact that it requires a lot of time andn preparation to comply with the processesand conjure receipts, has pushed back many current and potential participants.In my case these option do help. My wife, who is the smart one, fully understands the procedures and requirements of HASs and FSAs and has save us in the last years 100s of dollar marks in healthcare costs, this dedication and full understanding of my family healthcare needs, has by far offset 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 struggle to be able to move over 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 stool that on top of all the bills, you need funds 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 doctor 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 sort of insurance was extremely important and I always knew that its beneficial to have some type of funds procurable should emergencies occur.When I was in college there were a few years I had to go without benefits. Today and even then I felt 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. But their salaries may not be enough to get them health care, so they have the option of finding a job that might offer benefits, or get a second 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 going to try your hardest to protect yourself with insurance, or are you going to attempt 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 give 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 amounts that are listed.Sometimes when I visit to see the tooth doctor because I dont a dental plan, I pay $20, I hear the stories of the people talking to each other makes me intimately want to melt in my sit around hearing about their life stories and the struggles they have. It is just so sad that all of these people I see in the waiting room are unable to affor d 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 express is very true and sad, but alas it is the reality. n my opinion, to better live in USA in these days, you have to be at least in fondness class that is the level where you can benefit from the system of economy in particular healthcare system. low- income is just a exquisite word to cover the word myopic in the government vocabulary. Consumer drive Healthcare (graded) Consumer driven healthcare has become hot over the past few years as employees seek tax advantages and cost savings on healthcare. What are some of the make out features of a consumer driven healthcare plan? Does your company currently 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 littl e things people are starting to self heal as much as possible. Those over the envision medicines are on the rise for barter fors because its cheaper. Individuals wait until self healing is no longer working to go to the doctor. I am starting to see more people looking for the cheaper health plans. The plans offered by the government based on income determines your contribution.Some of these plans depending on pay scale 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 gouge splited, or free screenings, free flu shots, mammograms and the use of the department of health specially 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 known as high-deductible 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 deterioration, 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 forbid 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 specify contribution in contrast to a defined benefit. Many large employers are offering consumer-driven plans, also known as high-deductible 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 constipation, workers compensation, and productivity. Does your company currently 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 hit 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 overlook 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 old(prenominal) with both plans yet I cant say that I know which one is best for me. I do know however that I am very prostrate to getting sick, and often , so I imagete 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 supplicate 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. nifty Luck 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 make out all the health care ben efits, 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 primary doctor, and it does cost less than a PPO, however the cost of seeing a doctor is still very high, rigorous 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 value nonrecreational more for a PPO because the cost to see a doctor or get a prescription is much lower, and if you have a major calamity 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 spend Accounts permit employees to pay for specified health care cost that are not covered by an employees insuran ce 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 bullion upfront 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 bony corrective surgery done and being able to pay the $500 out of pocket cost with a pre tax card is such a extravagance. I really have no idea how anyone could not like these benefits. I think it comes down to people being affright of having capital taken out, not realizing theyre going to spend it anyway post tax. I also think that some people cant handle exactly how much they are saving from taxes. What are some of the key 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 control over cost Enables employees to lowe r the cost of insurance premiums through high deductibles Puts a limitation 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 stick power and decision-making in the hands of the consumer.Supplying the information and decision support tools needed, along with financial incentives, rewards and other benefits that throw out personal involvement in fixation health and health care purchasing behaviors. Letting consumers, rather than health plans, control health care decisions. Week 4 discussion manners Insurance Plans (graded) A major concern for most employees is pity for their families in the takings of the employees last. Many employers provide life insurance for employees. Does your organization offer a stem insurance policy?If so, what is the staple plan design of your organizations life insurance policy, and forhow much are you covered? RE pigeonholing life insurance plans Manqing Liu 5/27/2012 105200 PM conference life insurance is term insurance covering a convention of people, usually employees of a company or members of a union or association. Individual proof of insurability is not normally a consideration in the underwriting. Rather, the underwriter considers the size, dollar volume and financial strength of the conclave. Contract nutriment will attempt to exclude the guess of adverse selection.Group life insurance often includes a provision for a member exiting the assembly to buy individual coverage. Group life insurance plans Aaron Jones 5/19/2012 70848 AM There are threesome different types of concourse insurance and this company uses number one for there employees from what I was reading out of the company policy. 1) Basic aggroup 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 tax-free benefit. ) Supplemental group term lifeOften offered by employers in conjunction with a basic group term life policy, this type of coverage provides the flexibility for the employee to purchase additional 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) man-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 protection slackly until they reach 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 employees, they have there reasons why they do t hings the way they do it because everybody have different reasons for life insurance largely 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 accessible in increments of $10,000.Each plan has a utmost benefit of $500,000 except for dependents, this insurance is only open 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. domain life insurance plan vitreous silica Johnson 5/20/2012 72250 PM From what I understand, my life insu rance plan matches my base pay. Base 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 propertyit 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 grieve family had to go to court to get the leash pay out. The insurance company give tongue to that the death was not caused by a patient so they did not want to pay. Even though the killer staffer was upset about upper management decision to fire him.Group Life InsuranceThe Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provides life insurance coverage for permanent employees through The Prudential Insurance Company of America. The amount of life insurance is equal to your annual salary (rounded to the warm $1,000) as of the date of hire, up to a maximum of $40,000. The amount of insurance is familiarized on January 1 of each year to account for pay changes. There is a 90-day waiting period from your date of hire before coverage takes effect. Eligible employees will receive a Welcome outfit from Prudential within three months of hire.The kit up will include the Booklet/ security system that confirms coverage and outlines the contract provisions that apply, as well as a Group Insurance Beneficiary Designation/ counterchange form. RE Commonwealth life insurance plan Natasha Wylie 5/28/2012 113436 AM Life insurance should really be called death insurance. Like other types of insurance, life insurance is protection against the unknown. When you buy life insurance, youre paying for the peace of mind that your family will be taken care of in the event of your sudden demise. Life insurance is the life jacket in the fishing boat..You consent to never have to use it, but its nice to know its there. Some people call life insurance swordplay. They think that youre throwing away a bunch of money on the off chance that youll die young. But when life i nsurance 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 mortify 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 site cafeteria imputed benefit. Having a below market rate loan that some employers provide certain employees he lower interest that they forgoe is a benefit to you and hence imputed income. interpr et 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 properly 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 take 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 peace of mind in the event of death. Having life insurance relieves some of the financial burden left on so rrow loved ones.Employee-sponsored life insurance protects family members by paying a specified amount to n employees beneficiary upon the employees death. Disability Plans (graded) In addition to replacing household income when an employee either retires or is no longer working, he or she may also restrain some type of income-replacement plan in the event they become disabled. Does your current (or former) employer offer hindrance coverage for employees? What are the specifics of your coverage? Do you feel the need to purchase supplemental constipation insurance? Why or why not? RE Disability coverage Crystal Johnson 5/22/2012 20829 AM Jobs that offer short term disability insurance as part of a benefits package creates more loyalty in employees than jobs that do not offer it. military man beings are going to acquire bumps and bruises as part of the age and wisdom baggage. of a sudden term disability insurance gives you the luxury to fully heal while keeping a roof over y our 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 insurance 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 entirely 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 standard care of a physician and are unable to perform the substantial and physical duties of your own occupation. Income Protector works in conjunction with Social Security and Workers pay 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 purpose replacement paycheck and your social benefit payment. ** However, Combined Insurance will never pay less than 40% of the benefit amount purchased (http//www. uniteinsurance. 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 anymore (like pet insurance). How far does it go, and how much should an employer provide when the cost of health insurance is already so high? Aflac Cryst al 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 dancing in the rain so I got Aflac. Aflacgave our union a group rate fordisability insurance and secondhand life insurance. My coworkersallowed Aflac totake out money out of their check because the wanted a stronger piece of mind andplanB to their savings plan.I choose to have Aflac take out money out of mycheck because I cant be trust 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(predicate) 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 insurance when they get to a poi nt 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 complaint 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 Disability Income Insurance include Monthly Benefit Paymentsafter an initial waiting period, benefits are paid for each month you cant work through the policys maximum benefit period.Non inciteable and Guaranteed Renewable Coverage procurable 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 domain of a function 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 Traore 5/ 25/2012 84959 PM why would you want to buy an additional insurance, if you can invest your money somewhere 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 Mental Health Paridy Act Sylvia Privette 5/25/2012 84606 PM Modified5/25/2012 847 PM The Mental Health Parity Act (MHPA) provides for parity in the application of congeries life and annual dollar limits on mental health benefits with dollar limits on medical/surgical benefits. A plan that does not impose an annual or lifetime 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 snapper abuse or chemical dependency. Health plans are not required to include mental health benefits in their benefits package. MHPA only applies to those plans that do of fer 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, civic 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 provides income if employees ar e 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 influence the design and implementation of company sponsered disability plans ERISA ADEA The americans with disabilities Act State Workers compensation and Social Secuity Disability Regulations