In a move that will likely be the subject of many angry letters and op-eds, Nissan, the Japanese car manufacturer, has announced it will cut health insurance and pension benefits for U.S. employees to "remain competitive." From Medical News Today: Nissan informed workers with manufacturing jobs that, starting at age 65, they will receive an annual stipend to supplement Medicare coverage instead of receiving supplemental health care coverage from the company. A Nissan spokesperson said … [Read more...] about Japanese Company Cuts Benefits for U.S. Retirees
New OSHA Guidelines for Reducing Motor Vehicle Crashes
No, this is not a new legal standard or regulation, and the Guideline does not create new legal obligations for employers. But if you have home health or other employees driving as a part of their job, you will want to check out the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) new Guidelines. OSHA joined the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety to develop a 32-page document offering help to employers designing an effective … [Read more...] about New OSHA Guidelines for Reducing Motor Vehicle Crashes
New EEO-1 Report for 2007
The EEOC has announced final approval of the new EEO-1 Report (Employer Information Report) to go into effect for 2007. The new form is the first major change to the employer survey in four decades and will be required for the 2007 survey, which is due by September 30, 2007. What is the EEO-1 Report, you ask? The Report is a government form requiring many employers to provide a count of their employees by job category and then by ethnicity, race and gender. The EEO-1 report is submitted … [Read more...] about New EEO-1 Report for 2007
NY Nursing Homes Launch Campaign to Preserve Medicaid
Representatives from 630 long term care providers across the state of New York met today to launch a campaign called PASS: Preserve Access to Senior Services. The campaign will give a voice to providers who oppose the state's Medicaid cuts and concerned about the impact cuts could have on long term providers. From the press release: "New York's nursing homes are fighting for survival, especially the not-for-profit, mission-driven and public organizations," said Carl S. Young , president … [Read more...] about NY Nursing Homes Launch Campaign to Preserve Medicaid
Bid to End Medicaid-funded Abortions Fails
In a controversial decision about a controversial practice, a judge in Kansas dismissed a lawsuit that would have forced the state to stop financing abortions for Medicaid beneficiaries. (Medical News Today) The case was unusual. The state attorney general in Kansas, Phill Kline, sued the governor and several other individuals in an effort to establish that life begins at conception so the unborn would be protected as individuals under the state constitution. The judge made no … [Read more...] about Bid to End Medicaid-funded Abortions Fails
When Two Are Made One…For Overtime Liability
More and more we see the issue being raised in the courts. What is the effect of your company being part of a network or group of companies with common ownership? What if the companies have shared payroll, resources, management, policies or benefit plans? The Department of Labor (DOL) has held that too much closeness may lead to joint liability. Last year, the DOL issued an opinion letter in response to a question from a health care system about its obligation to pay overtime under the … [Read more...] about When Two Are Made One…For Overtime Liability
HCSSA Pre-survey Conference Suspended
The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services has advised Home and Community Support Services Agencies that the pre-survey conference is suspended for the months of March and April because Regulatory Services is revising the curriculum. The conference will resume in May. You can read the letter (PDF) by clicking this link. As you know, the pre-survey conference "provides a general overview of state licensure rules, including initial survey requirements (Title 40 Chapter 97) and … [Read more...] about HCSSA Pre-survey Conference Suspended
Shift Differential Pay Is A-Okay
We all know that RNs and other "professionals" under the wage and hour laws must be paid on a "salary basis" in addition to performing the qualified professional duties in order to retain their exempt status. However, that raises an Issue. The Issue? Does the fact that you pay exempt RNs or other employees an additional incentive pay (called "shift differential pay" in Department of Labor [DOL] lingo) for working evenings and nights or other more difficult shifts affect their "salary basis" … [Read more...] about Shift Differential Pay Is A-Okay
Kaiser Resources for Long Term Care Providers
KaiserEDU.org has posted information of interest to long term care providers: long term care financing and Medicaid 101. You may review the tutorials and Power Point slides at this link. The site also features a Q&A section for people with questions about Medicare. In light of Medicare's new prescription drug program, this web site should prove helpful. An excerpt Q: I've heard a lot about the "doughnut hole" in the new Medicare drug benefit. Can you help me understand what it is and how … [Read more...] about Kaiser Resources for Long Term Care Providers
State of the Union – Medicare/Medicaid
The State of the Union address is an overview of the current condition of the nation, not an in-depth analysis of economic, social, or cultural issues. However, I believe Medicare's controversial new prescription drug program is important enough to warrant a brief comment or two. Unfortunately, the president didn't mention it at all. The new drug program has received widespread criticism from beneficiaries, doctors, and providers who say the program is confusing and complicated. (See the … [Read more...] about State of the Union – Medicare/Medicaid