News You Can Use: DOL taking comments on GINA

The Department of Labor this week called for comments on the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), which amends the tax code, ERISA and several other employment laws to prohibit health coverage discrimination based on genetic information.

The request seeks opinions on several aspects of GINA, including:
* To what extent do group health plans and health insurance issuers currently use genetic information, such as family medical history, and for what purposes? For example, is genetic information currently used for group rating purposes, or for purposes of a wellness program that otherwise complies with HIPAA's nondiscrimination requirements?
* How do plans and issuers currently obtain genetic information (for example, through health risk assessments, the Medical Information Bureau, or other entities under common control)?
* Under what circumstances do plans or issuers currently ask for the results of a genetic test in order to make a determination regarding payment of benefits? What is the minimum amount of information necessary for a plan or issuer to make a determination under such circumstances?
* What terms or provisions (such as genetic information, genetic test, genetic services, or underwriting) would require additional clarification to facilitate compliance? What specific clarifications would be helpful?

Submit comments at http://www.regulations.gov/ or E-OHPSCA.EBSA@dol.gov. Comments will be accepted until Dec. 9.

Tip of the Day

Set up a lifecycle fund strategy. With the flood of lifecycle funds now available, plan sponsors need to consider which funds are most appropriate for their retirement plan. Get started separating the contenders from pretenders by reading this month's EBN.

News You Can Use: Workers foregoing health coverage over cost

Did you have fewer takers this year during open enrollment? Blame the economy.

New survey results from BearingPoint, Inc. and Zogby International show that, due to the economic crunch, nearly 10% of employees are more likely to either drop their health insurance plan or switch to a less expensive one with fewer benefits.

Workers making less than $25,000 a year and workers age 18-24 are most likely to switch to a cheaper plan or drop coverage altogether. Among ethnic groups, Hispanics are most likely to put cost over care.

Further, the survey reports 15% of respondents were more inclined to take less medications or forego prescriptions because of financial strain.

News You Can Use: Lack of communication damages morale

We all know communication is essential when getting benefits messages across to employees, but new news from Accountemps suggests that effective communication can actually improve morale as well. When used incorrectly, one-third of executives responding say that a lack of open and effective communication is the top thing that can damage employee happiness.

"Regular communication with employees is always integral to an organization's success, but it becomes especially critical during periods of uncertainty," said Max Messmer, chairman of Accountemps and author of Motivating Employees For Dummies(R) (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.). "When people are concerned about job security and company performance, updates on corporate news are essential. By keeping employees informed, managers can address anxiety and ensure workers are focused on meeting business objectives."

For more information about how to effectively reach your employees, we'd suggest "Are you talking to me?" in this month's EBN.

Tip of the Day

Find out what your health insurance carrier's shares are selling for on Wall St. The information could be just as valuable as their premium rates, according to experts who participated in a roundtable discussion sponsored by the Center for Studying Health System Change. Read more about how the economy is affecting the health of the health insurance market in the current EBN.

News You Can Use: Voters defeat pension measures

Voters in five states last week voted down measures that would put more of state and local pension investments at risk in the stock market, further illustrating investor nervousness in light of the current economic crisis.

Scone: In search of HSA advice, assurance

Two weeks ago – after much discussion with my husband, fine-tooth-combing our family budget, using three comparison tools and a medical cost estimator, and reading every page of communication my employer sent on the subject – I enrolled my family in a high-deductible health plan with an HSA for 2009. I still wonder if I did the right thing.

Ever since, I’ve found myself preparing for a sort of health care Armageddon – scheduling myself, husband and children for every doctor’s and dentist appointment we need, weaning my infant daughter off a long-term medication, and informing the specialist she sees (and that we adore) that we likely won’t be back to see her because I’m not sure we’ll be able to afford the office visit come January.

Although it took much consideration, I feel railroaded into my decision. The HDHP I was offered carried about the same premium as the current PPO that covers my family now –already near the top of what our family can afford. The more traditional health coverage options were two and three times what we currently pay, and there’s no way we could sustain that (while continuing to save for retirement and meeting our monthly expenses).

So, I did the only thing I could do: checked the HDHP option, funded my HSA up to the deductible and hoped for the best.

Even though I can’t change my decision now, I still question it. I’ve discovered that writing about this topic and living it are two different things – and I consider myself much more informed than my colleagues at other non-benefits-related publications.

So I turn to you EBN readers, the exceptional pros that you are, for advice and assurance (and promise not to hold you accountable). Any recommendations you have would be great; just tell me what you would if I worked at your company.