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Publications
New Health Insurers Add Area Clients With Caution
Highmark Inc. is facing its first real competition in the Western Pennsylvania health insurance market.
But the extent to which that competition has resulted in lower costs for employers and lots of new business for four national, for-profit insurance companies has been limited so far, said Elliott Dinkin, CEO of Downtown benefits consulting company Cowden Associates Inc.
"They have their toes in the water, but they're cautious," Dinkin said of the approach to the market by Aetna Inc., Cigna Corp., HealthAmerica and United HealthCare.Read More
Supreme Court to hear challenge to PPACA
The Supreme Court agreed to hear the challenge to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) on Monday, November 14, 2011. Arguments will focus on the constitutionality of the individual mandate and its impact on the rest of the law. Oral arguments are scheduled for no later than March 2012 with a decision by late June 2012. Read article
The IRS has released updated 2012 limits for qualified Retirement Plans
Highlights Include Increases of:
* Maximum annual compensation under 401(a)(17) for qualified plans to $250,000
* Annual benefit limit for DB plans to $200,000
* 401(k), 403(b) and 457(b) elective deferrals to $17,000
* Total annual DC additions to $50,000
* Compensation threshold for HCE to $115,000
How do you sell a buyout?
FORTUNE -- It's hard to gracefully convince an employee to leave your company, even in the best economic circumstances. And during a downturn, the conversation becomes even trickier. Read more
Premium Payers Win in Health Care Feud
The ongoing battle between Highmark Inc. and UPMC is holding down health insurance premiums in Western Pennsylvania as new insurers try to snap up business here and Highmark fights to hold onto to its customers, said Vince Wolf, executive vice president for Cowden Associates Inc., a Downtown benefits-consulting company. Read article
Collective Bargaining Training Seminar - October 20-21, 2011
An informative and educational seminar addressing the latest collective bargaining topics impacting Pennsylvania employers, including an actual negotiation experience with veteran management and union-side negotiators. Read more
