[Guidance Overview] New Regulations Prohibit Questions Regarding Family History or Other Genetic Information on Certain Health Risk Assessments

2 pages. Excerpt: "If [a Health Risk Assessment] includes questions regarding family medical history or other genetic information, it may violate the new rules. . . . Previously, incentives could be given for participation in an HRA, provided the results of the HRA were not used to discriminate against any employees based on a health factor. Incentives still may be provided if the HRA does not include any questions regarding family medical history or other genetic information." (von Briesen & Roper, s.c.)

Check Your Posters: Passage of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act Imposes New Obligations and Posting Requirements on Employers

Excerpt: "One thing employers can do right away to comply with GINA and avoid potential penalties is to update their employment law posters. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has recently updated its EEO poster to include information about GINA. Employers may order or print the poster from the EEOC's website." (Poyner Spruill)

Online Federal Benefits Calculators, Including Conversion of Account Balance to Lifetime Income Payments

Excerpt: "Federal retirement: This calculator projects retirement benefits under federal retirement systems according to variables such as salary and length of service. . . . Social Security: This site features a Social Security benefit estimator for those who will be eligible under that system, which includes most current federal employees. It also has links to several other calculators, including one showing a reduction that might apply to certain federal retirees. . . . Thrift Savings Plan: This site has calculators allowing participants in the 401(k)-style retirement savings program to project future account balances based on differing investment levels and rates of return, to determine loan payments if they borrow against their accounts and to see how an account balance would translate into income after separation, among other functions." (Washington Post; free registration required)

Interview With Douglas A. Grimm: Will Privacy Concerns Slow Electronic Health Record Adoption Rates? (PDF)

4 pages. Excerpt: "Since electronic health records are designed to follow patients wherever they might seek care, HIPAA covered entities and business associates must act in concert, otherwise they will simply become the weakest link in the chain. Ideally, effective data protection practices will be further strengthened by the widespread adoption of electronic health records, and will unlock the means for caregivers to improve patients' lives and for administrators to significantly reduce overhead and administration costs." (ALEXeSOLUTIONS, INC. via Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP)

[Guidance Overview] DOL-Published Overview: Getting Ready for Changes in Filing Your Plan's Annual Return/Report Form 5500

Excerpt: "Do you file a Form 5500 annual return/report? If so, you need to be aware of important changes to the form and the filing process beginning with 2009 plan year filings. To ease the transition, the U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) is helping filers understand the new filing system and changes to the Form 5500 so you are ready when you need to prepare and file your annual report(s)." (U.S. Employee Benefits Security Administration)

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