Year 2005

Date	Topics Covered In Each Issue
December	Guidance Issued For FSA/HSA Grace Period House Approves Pension Bill With FSA Rollover Language House Considers Bill To Ease HSA Requirements General Motors Gets Agreement On Plan To Save Health Care Dollars 6th Circuit Court Of Appeals Rules In FMLA-Related Case USERRA Regulations Issued
November	Advisory Panel On Tax Reform Endorses Caps On Health Care Breaks IRS Releases 2006 Limits DOL Opinion Letter On FMLA Allows Employers More Stringent Criteria House Ways And Means Approves $500 FSA Rollover HSA Acceptance Study Released By University Of Minnesota US District Court Rules On Terminated, Then Deceased, Employee HHS Absolved Of HIPAA Violation In "Routine Use" Rules EBRI Research Shows Statistics On Covered Populations EBSA Extends Time To Make Health Care Decisions In Wake Of Katrina
October	AARP Appeals In Long Battle Over Tiered Retiree Health Benefits Employer Held Liable For Failure To Notify Carrier Of COBRA Election President Signs National Patient Safety Database Law Florida Introduces State Sponsored HSA/HDHP Plan Medicare Changes Announced DOL Offers Relief To Businesses Affected By Katrina
September	Half Of Employers Plan To Implement FSA Grace Period Ex-Chase Manhattan Employee Wins Battle In War Over LTD Coverage COBRA Plan Ruled Secondary To Longer-Term Dependent Plan Council For Affordable Health Care's HSA Scorecard Released Fourth And Fifth Circuit Courts Conflict Over FMLA Waivers
August	Account-Based Plans No Good For Medicare Drug Determination Dual-Purpose Plans Fail Vesting Rules Qualification Sexual Discrimination Case Involves Use Of FMLA US District Court Rules On Prompt Reemployment Under USERRA Treasury And IRS Issue Proposed Regulations On HSA Comparability California Ins. Commissioner Issues Report And Announces Hearings
July	Protective Orders Don't Trigger COBRA Qualifying Event Federal Court Rules In Favor Of Women In Contraceptive Coverage Suit Department Of Labor Issues Extension In 5500 Filing Due To Dennis 8th Circuit Rules On FMLA Notice 9th Circuit Court Rules On FMLA Care
June	IRS Budges On "Use It Or Lose It" But New Grace Period For FSAs     Causes Some Headaches
May	CMS Issues Guidance for Evaluating Retiree Rx Plans For     Medicare D Equivalence CMS Announces Medicare Part D Resources For Plan Sponsors Senate Small Business Chair Introduces SIMPLE Cafeteria Plan Act IRS Ruling States The Obvious Treasury and IRS Agree On Spouse Contributions To HSAs Treasury Creates Helpful HSA Tri-Fold Brochure IRS Budges On "Use It Or Lose It" But New Grace Period For FSAs     Causes Some Headaches
April	Supreme Court Expands Age Bias Litigation Possibilities Federal Court Says ADEA Applies To Retiree Health Benefits Medicare Trustees’ Report Shows No Significant Change Association Health Plan Bill Passes In Committee HHS Gives HIPAA Security Rule Guidance Garner Insurance Services Joins United Benefit Advisors (UBA)
March	IRS Weighs In On Canadian Drug Imports And CDHPs Congressional Efforts To Tighten Tax Shelter Rules Threaten     Section 125 Plans DOL Issues USERRA Notice “Rain Delay” Feds Offer More! Senate Passes Bill Prohibiting Genetic Discrimination HIPAA Security Deadline Approaching
February	CMS Issues Final Regulations On Medicare Drug Benefits
January	New HIPAA Portability Rules Published, More In The Works DOL Issues Advisory On Cash Incentives For HSAs