Business Insurance articles from July 2005

Business Insurance archives from July 2005

Thurston: Agents should explore HSAs for clients.(Industry News)(Health Savings Accounts)
July 1, 2005... Byline: Jerry Geisel WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va.-Insurance brokers and agents should explore self-funding for their clients' high-deductible insurance plans linked to health savings accounts if insurers don't offer fair rates, a...

NAIC `mega-catastrophe' plan spurs debate over limits of safety net.(Cover Focus: Government Affairs)(National Association of Insurance Commissioners)
July 1, 2005... Byline: Meg Fletcher Controversy is emerging over whether a regulatory proposal to establish a new private/public safety net for insurers facing so-called "mega-catastrophes'' should be limited to natural catastrophes or include man-made...

Which side are brokers on?(Feature)
July 1, 2005... Byline: Regis Coccia LONDON-The question of whether an insurance broker represents a client or an underwriter is no longer black and white under U.K. law, a law professor contends. Traditionally, U.K. courts have held that a broker is...

Electronic placement could create gray area in disputes.(Feature)
July 1, 2005... Byline: Regis Coccia LONDON-The benefits of the electronic age for society in general are accompanied by serious legal risks for the insurance industry in particular, an attorney said. Speaking June 16 at The Fifth Event, a biennial...

Insurance people: Take pride in the calling of service.(Last Word)
July 1, 2005... Byline: Donald J. Hurzeler Insurance practices investigations are rocking our industry. We feel shame at the discoveries, in large part because we should have detected these practices ourselves and stopped them in their tracks. I was...

IIF spreads the message of an efficient world order.(Cover Focus: Government Affairs)(International Insurance Foundation)
July 1, 2005... Byline: Rodd Zolkos As a private insurance industry takes hold in emerging market countries, a nonprofit industry-backed group is focusing on promoting the development of the high- quality regulatory environment needed so that efficient...

Contingent commissions draw varied response from panel.(Feature)
July 1, 2005... Byline: Rodd Zolkos State investigations into various insurance industry activities have resulted in numerous allegations-and, in a handful of cases, admissions-of wrongdoing. But, while there's widespread agreement on the impropriety...

Striking a balance between business and IT.(Feature)(Panel Discussion)
July 1, 2005... Byline: Rodd Zolkos The alignment of information technology investments with business goals can help companies reduce costs, maximize IT benefits and mitigate risks, but the lack of such alignment can emerge as an issue in many ways,...

Tillinghast to survey industry for benchmark prices, losses.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... STAMFORD, Conn.-The Tillinghast unit of Towers Perrin plans to launch a Commercial Lines Insurance Price Monitoring Survey, intended to provide the insurance industry with historical benchmark information regarding pricing and loss costs. ...

Three Questions.(insurance industry )
July 1, 2005... Robert Zeman is senior vp and chief legislative and regulatory officer at the Property Casualty Insurers Assn. of America in Des Plaines, Ill. Recently he talked about governmental actions affecting the insurance industry over the first half of...

CPCU's Golden Torch winner inspires love of learning.(Industry News)(Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter)(Donald J. Hurzeler)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... SAN ANTONIO-Donald J. Hurzeler, the CPCU Society's 2004 president, received the Insurance Marketing Communications Assn.'s Golden Torch Award during the IMCA's annual meeting in June in San Antonio. Mr. Hurzeler, who is chief marketing...

IntelliCorp, NDI to trade information.(Industry News)(National Diagnostics Inc. )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... SOLON, Ohio-Insurance Services Office Inc. subsidiary IntelliCorp has signed a marketing agreement with National Diagnostics Inc. Under the agreement, Solon, Ohio-based IntelliCorp will provide criminal, driving and other public records to...

AIG unit OK'd to operate in Vietnam.(Industry News)(American International Group Inc.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... NEW YORK-American International Group Inc. unit American International Underwriters Insurance Co. has been notified that it will be licensed to operate a wholly owned insurance company in Vietnam. The license will be the first general...

Next up: finite re; Scrutiny of finite reinsurers could dampen demand for such products and stifle reinsurer creativity.(Cover Focus: Government Affairs)
July 1, 2005... Byline: Rupal Parekh Settlements reached with several large brokerage firms over contingent commission practices have allowed regulators to refocus their energies on another source of controversy-finite reinsurance. As state and...

Nominations being accepted for Benefit Manager of the Year.(Industry News)
July 1, 2005... Business Insurance is pleased to announce the launch of its first Benefit Manager of the Year(tm) award to recognize excellence and innovation in employee benefits management. The inaugural award in benefits follows in the tradition of the...

Industry Focus receives Silver Award from ASBPE for editorial excellence.(Industry News)(Business Insurance's Industry Focus)(American Society of Business Publication Editors)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Business Insurance's Industry Focus has received a Silver Award of Excellence for Best Supplement from the American Society of Business Publication Editors in the ASBPE's 2004 Editorial Excellence Competition in the Midwest/South Region. ...

The Quote.(Industry News)
July 1, 2005... `I know first hand that regulators have been working together on rate and form filing, agent licensing and market conduct. The SMART Act comes along, and basically, it's a statement by some members of Congress that they think not enough...

On the Move.(Industry News)(appointments in Insurance industry)
July 1, 2005... Mike Miller has been named president and chief executive officer of Boston-based One-Beacon Insurance Group, replacing John Cavoores, who resigned for personal reasons. In April, Mr. Miller was named chief operating officer of the insurer,...

Swiss Re sigma study shows return to growth.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... The positive underwriting results achieved by property/casualty insurers and the return to growth in the life business were key highlights of world insurance markets in 2004, according to the latest Swiss Reinsurance Co. sigma study. This...

Trusted Choice now 5,000 strong as Lane Agency joins the brand.(Industry News)(Lane Insurance Agency Inc.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... ALEXANDRIA, Va.-The Trusted Choice consumer brand program for independent agents and brokers recently added its 5,000th retail location when Lane Insurance Agency Inc. of Norwalk, Conn. became a member. Trusted Choice serves as the...

Sales of voluntary benefit products show big growth.(Industry News)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... WASHINGTON-Voluntary products are becoming an increasingly important element of employee benefit packages, a survey finds, noting that the percentage of commercial insurance brokers offering those products has nearly doubled in five years. ...

TRIA tale gets curiouser.(Terrorism Risk Insurance Act)
July 1, 2005... Byline: Rodd Zolkos "Well, in OUR country,'' said Alice, still panting a little, "you'd generally get to somewhere else-if you ran very fast for a long time, as we've been doing.'' "A slow sort of country!'' said the Queen. "Now,...

HAMMERING OUT REGULATORY REFORM; What the industry would like to see in terms of reshaping the environment of regulation vs. some current frustrations.
July 1, 2005... Byline: Roseanne White Geisel The debate over which approach toward regulatory modernization would best meet the insurance industry's needs boils down to the nitty-gritty issues of conducting business on a daily basis. If an insurer or...

Wanted: Top benefit managers for BI's Benefit Manager of the Year.(News)
July 4, 2005... Business Insurance is pleased to announce the launch of its first Benefit Manager of the YearTM award to recognize excellence and innovation in employee benefits management. The inaugural award in benefits follows in the tradition of the...

Legal Briefs: Facility sale ruled not a 'layoff' for pension purposes.(Briefs)
July 4, 2005... The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati ruled that an Employee Retirement Income Security Act plan administrator did not act arbitrarily and capriciously in determining that employees did not experience a "layoff'' within the...

TRIA clauses worrying; Brokers warn of policy option to renegotiate rates.(Spotlight: Midyear Market Report)(Terrorism Risk Insurance Act)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Byline: Michael Bradford Risk managers with midyear renewals need to consider the consequences of policy endorsements some insurers are linking to the possible expiration of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act. TRIA is scheduled to expire...

Property rates favorable, but TRIA still in question.(Spotlight: Midyear Market Report)
July 4, 2005... Byline: MARK A. HOFMANN and SALLY ROBERTS It's still a buyer's market for property insurance. Rates continue to decrease, albeit not quite as steeply compared to this time in 2004 as they had between midyear 2003 and midyear 2004....

Prices in GL market mostly flat or down.(Spotlight: Midyear Market Report)(general liability market )
July 4, 2005... Byline: MICHAEL BRADFORD and GLORIA GONZALEZ Insurance buyers are finding a general liability market that, with a few exceptions, is welcoming them with flat or falling coverage prices. "I think we're seeing a true swing in the market...

E&O liability market stable for most risks.(Spotlight: Midyear Market Report)(malpractice insurance)
July 4, 2005... Byline: RUPAL PAREKH For the majority of risk managers renewing errors and omissions liability coverage at midyear, things could be worse. Unlike the double-digit price hikes of the past two years, E&O rates are now stable to down...

Workers comp rates benefit large buyers.(Spotlight: Midyear Market Report)
July 4, 2005... Byline: ROBERTO CENICEROS and MEG FLETCHER Flat to lower renewal rates for workers compensation coverage are now typical, while ongoing state reforms and the fate of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act stand to affect future insurance...

Products & Services.(insurance industry)
July 4, 2005... New coverage launched for independent directors NEW YORK-National Union Fire Insurance Co. of Pittsburgh, Pa., a unit of American International Group Inc., has launched an independent director liability insurance program. New...

Abating health care costs keep rate hikes in single digits; Cost-shifting, insurer profits and health promotion programs slowing increases to about 7% to 9.(Spotlight: Midyear Market Report)
July 4, 2005... Byline: JERRY GEISEL Health care plan cost increases are continuing to ease, with average rate hikes in 2006 likely to be in the range of 7% to 9%, marking the first time in about half a decade that typical rate increases will not go into...

Clock ticking on mold claims; New exclusions make recovery under old policies urgent.(Perspectives)
July 4, 2005... Byline: Daniel Lentz and Joe Galanti Toxic mold claims have skyrocketed in recent years, fueled by media hype and a heightened public sensitivity. Mold has become the latest "tort du jour'' of the plaintiffs' bar, with well-publicized...

D&O market sees marginal moves.(Spotlight: Midyear Market Report)(directors and officers liability insurance market)
July 4, 2005... Byline: DAVE LENCKUS The directors and officers liability insurance market is stabilizing from the sharp price decreases over the past 12 months but buyers are purchasing additional limits and negotiating coverage enhancements, brokers and...

Feds investigate safety of fire protection system in Praxair blast inquiry.(industrial gases )
July 4, 2005... Byline: MICHAEL BRADFORD ST. LOUIS-A federal agency investigating the explosion at a Praxair Inc. distribution center has come away from the site with concerns about the facility's fire protection system. The June 24 blast at the St....

Reinsurance rates falling, but less than in primary.(Spotlight: Midyear Market Report)
July 4, 2005... Byline: JUDY GREENWALD and SARAH VEYSEY Reinsurance rates are declining, but not dramatically, say many reinsurers and intermediaries. Both property and casualty reinsurance rates are slipping during midyear renewals, reflecting a...

Blues plans launch incentives despite doctors' concerns.(News)(Blue Cross & Blue Shield )
July 4, 2005... Byline: LAURA B. BENKO Blue Cross & Blue Shield plans have dived headlong into pay-for-performance for physician services despite lingering questions about how best to design such programs and hesitation among doctors to embrace the trend....

Hospitals overspending to meet quake standards.(News)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Byline: LAURA B. BENKO California hospitals are at risk of overspending on large construction projects as they race to improve their earthquake readiness, according to a research brief by Moody's Investors Service. Many California...

Overflow marine hull capacity keeping rate increases low.(Spotlight: Midyear Market Report)
July 4, 2005... Byline: BARBARA COCKBURN and SARAH VEYSEY LONDON-Rates for marine hull business were generally flat or modestly higher at July renewals, as an abundance of capacity kept rates level. Hull rates are generally remaining stable, said...

Group captive reaches antitrust deal; Justice Department questioned data-sharing among competing members.(News)
July 4, 2005... Byline: MICHAEL BRADFORD WASHINGTON-A settlement reached with the U.S. Department of Justice by a captive insurance company has antitrust implications that could trip up other unwary captives. Professional Consultants Insurance Co....

A revised TRIA better than no program at all.(Editorial)(Terrorism Risk Insurance Act)(Editorial)
July 4, 2005... While we're disappointed with the U.S. Treasury Department's recommendation that the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act, at least in its present form, be allowed to expire at the end of the year, we realize that the situation could be worse. ...

Canada's unions make pension changes a tough sell.(News)
July 4, 2005... Byline: GLORIA GONZALEZ Canadian employers attempting to control rising pension and benefit costs by reducing, eliminating or modifying their plans have been significantly hampered by strong unions in Canada. For the most part,...

Canada cracks down on bulk drug exports.(News)
July 4, 2005... Byline: Gloria Gonzalez OTTAWA-Canada's federal health minister last week proposed changing the law to allow the government to ban bulk exports of prescription drugs to the United States when necessary to protect the Canadian drug supply....

Softening of market belies some hard truths.(Editorial)(Editorial)
July 4, 2005... It's renewal time again, and the consensus so far is that rates in most lines of coverage are flat to falling. As rates continue to decline, many buyers may cheer, but we see clouds on the horizon. As we report in our annual Midyear Market...

PPF evaluating Heath's underfunded plans; Broker is first solvent employer to get OK.(International)(Pension Protection Fund)
July 4, 2005... Byline: SARAH VEYSEY LONDON-Heath Lambert Group has become the first solvent employer to get preliminary approval to transfer pension obligations to the United Kingdom's recently created guaranty fund for pension benefits. London-based...

World Updates; QBE merges some European units.(safety law public opinion)(Climate change and related consequences give way for insurance business)(AON Re International appoints Michael Reynolds as chief financial officer)
July 4, 2005... QBE European Operations, the European arm of Australian insurer QBE Insurance Group, has merged its non-Lloyd's of London underwriting operations. London-based QBE European Operations said that its European commercial and European retail...

Pension system deserves attention.(Commentary)
July 4, 2005... Byline: Paul Winston It took a financial disaster for tens of thousands of United Airlines' employees and retirees and for the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp., but Congress finally is waking up to the need to address serious flaws in the...

Trust by Aon, Marsh funds U.S. students' London market study.(International)
July 4, 2005... Byline: Sarah Veysey LONDON-Two students from St. John's University in New York last week presented their findings from a month-long study trip to a group of senior London insurance market figures. The students, Allah Jackson and Marco...

Evidence of steering found Down Under; Australia sees a few problems among brokers.(International)
July 4, 2005... Byline: BARBARA COCKBURN and ELIZABETH FRY SYDNEY, Australia-The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has completed its review of brokerage compensation practices, concluding that while there was no evidence of "systemic...

Industry questions findings of TRIA report; Treasury opposes renewal of program without changes.(News)(ine Lloyd Thompson Group PLC)
July 4, 2005... Byline: MARK A. HOFMANN WASHINGTON-The U.S. Congress should move swiftly to deal with the terrorism insurance issue in the wake of the Treasury Department's recommendation that the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act not be extended in its...

JLT opts to disclose all U.K. compensation.(News)(ine Lloyd Thompson Group PLC)
July 4, 2005... Byline: Sarah Veysey LONDON-Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group P.L.C. will begin disclosing to U.K. corporate clients all compensation it receives on their business regardless of whether clients request that information. In addition, JLT...

Massachusetts attorney general tells Marsh clients to delay settling.(insurance industry)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Byline: SALLY ROBERTS BOSTON-Massachusetts Attorney General Thomas F. Reilly is advising clients of brokerage Marsh & McLennan Cos. Inc. in the state to hold off before deciding whether to accept restitution from the company in accordance...

House bill would prevent 'meltdown' of PBGC.(Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp.)
July 4, 2005... Byline: JERRY GEISEL WASHINGTON-Legislation to stiffen pension funding rules and avoid a possible employer- or taxpayer-funded bailout of the federal agency that insures corporate plans is beginning to move through the U.S. Congress. ...

Retiree plan sponsors likely to seek Rx subsidy: Survey.(News)
July 4, 2005... Byline: Gloria Gonzalez Most employers with retiree medical plans will seek a government subsidy to continue offering prescription drug coverage to their Medicare-eligible retirees, according to a new study. Sixty percent of plan...

Insurer eliminating Starr compensation to key executives.(News)
July 4, 2005... Byline: RUPAL PAREKH NEW YORK-American International Group Inc.'s move to eliminate a decades-old executive compensation plan that paid top officials through affiliated entities is prudent and won't burden the company financially,...

California gaining self-insurers.(News)
July 4, 2005... Byline: ROBERTO CENICEROS Despite falling insurance costs stemming from workers compensation reforms in California, self-insurance groups are gaining in popularity. There are now 22 authorized self-insurance groups, with more...

Late News; PBGC takes over more United plans.(Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp)
July 4, 2005... The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. last week took over two more massively underfunded pension plans sponsored by bankrupt United Airlines. The Assn. of Flight Attendants, which is pursuing legal action to try to undo the termination, says the...

TRIA report draws mixed response from legislators.(News)(Terrorism Risk Insurance Act)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Byline: Mark A. Hofmann WASHINGTON-As expected, the Treasury Department's conclusion that the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act should be not be extended in its present form drew a mixed response on Capitol Hill. Although the initial...

Congress responds to pension failure stories.(Benefits Management)
July 11, 2005... Byline: JERRY GEISEL It is the pension horror stories, like retired United Airlines pilot James V. Allen's, that may finally lead Congress to rewrite pension funding law. When the U.S. Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. takes over and...

Automatic 401(k) enrollment helps increase sign-up rates.(Benefits Management)
July 11, 2005... Byline: SALLY ROBERTS The future of automatic 401(k) plan enrollment looks promising. Although employers have been increasing participation rates in their 401(k) plans by automatically enrolling employees into the plans for years, it...

West Virginia opts to return to defined benefits.(Benefits Management)(Brief Article)
July 11, 2005... Byline: Joanne Wojcik The state of West Virginia recently discovered the downside of converting its public school teachers' defined benefit pension plan into a defined contribution plan. As a result, the West Virginia Legislature has...

States take action to boost underfunded pensions.(Benefits Management)
July 11, 2005... Byline: JOANNE WOJCIK As they face a raft of funding problems, some states are taking steps to reduce their pension obligations through a series of legislative changes, including measures such as converting defined benefit plans to defined...

States struggle with asset shortfalls.(Benefits Management)(defined benefit plans)
July 11, 2005... Byline: JOANNE WOJCIK More than 14 million workers-10% of the national workforce-and six million retirees and other annuitants participate in the more than 2,000 retirement systems sponsored by state or local governments, according to the...

Increasing 401(k) use can be 'easy'.(News)
July 11, 2005... Byline: SALLY ROBERTS For employers that want to increase participation rates in their 401(k) plans but don't feel comfortable automatically enrolling employees into the plan without clear authorization, so-called easy enrollment may be an...

Take steps to reduce risks of data theft.(Perspectives)
July 11, 2005... Byline: Gretchen G. Sayers "Data theft''--the words send shivers down the spines of most of us, conjuring images of a geeky, evil little man hunched over his computer, laughing gleefully at having gained private information that will allow...

Between the Lines; Tough time for ex-Near North owner.(National Insurance Guarantee Corp.)
July 11, 2005... Byline: Compiled by Joanne Wojcik Remember those old films where prisoners of war used to scratch hash marks on the walls of their cells to count the days? Michael Segal, the convicted former owner of Chicago-based Near North National...

Comings & Goings - Industry.(News)(Willis Group Holdings Ltd appoints Wayne Herrington)(ACE USA appoints Richard B. Vincelette)(Evolution Benefits Inc appoints Kevin L. Blank )
July 11, 2005... Brokers: Willis Group Holdings Ltd. has named Wayne Herrington regional executive officer of the Southeast Region, comprising Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Mr. Herrington, who will be based in Atlanta, also...

SHRM conference attendance tops 12,000.(Society for Human Resource Management.)(Brief Article)
July 11, 2005... SAN DIEGO-More than 12,000 human resource professionals attended the 2005 Society for Human Resource Management's annual conference and exposition, held June 19-22 in San Diego. During the meeting, SHRM also welcomed its 200,000th member,...

Reducing depression's stigma, costs; Employer group seeks to create culture that promotes diagnosis and treatment.(News)
July 11, 2005... Byline: JOANNE WOJCIK Long before the recent headlines on a celebrity debate over appropriate treatment for depression, an employer coalition in the Midwest was busy working to destigmatize this debilitating and costly disease and educate...

Calculator totals cost of depression.(News)(Brief Article)
July 11, 2005... Byline: Joanne Wojcik The free online Depression Calculator helps employers determine the prevalence of depression in the workforce and the resulting impact on productivity. The model is based on evidence compiled from medical journals...

Equitable ruling may expand D&O liabilities.(Directors and officers., Equitable Life Assurance Society.)
July 11, 2005... Byline: SARAH VEYSEY LONDON-The massive recoveries being sought in professional liability litigation over the failure of Equitable Life Assurance Society could have significant implications for directors and officers liability coverage,...

Bullies in the workplace can increase turnover, health costs.(News)
July 11, 2005... Byline: JOANNE WOJCIK SAN DIEGO-While most employers acknowledge that workplace bullies can negatively impact morale, few realize their continued presence can increase costs through heightened employee turnover rates, absenteeism and even...

Professional register launched.(International)(by Association of Local Authority Risk Managers)(Brief Article)
July 11, 2005... Byline: Barbara Cockburn MANCHESTER, England-The Assn. of Local Authority Risk Managers last week unveiled a professional register for risk managers that is designed to boost their profile and that of the profession. ALARM, which will...

Low take-up reported for California's paid leave law; But year-old program expected to increase in popularity.(News)
July 11, 2005... Byline: JUDY GREENWALD SACRAMENTO-Although far fewer California workers than expected took advantage of the state's paid family leave program in its first year, observers say participation is likely to grow. According to the state...

Public risk managers must work to comply with emergency rules.(International)
July 11, 2005... Byline: BARBARA COCKBURN MANCHESTER, England-Many local authority risk managers still have much work to do to ensure that their organizations meet the requirements of a recently enacted law on emergency preparedness, according to the...

Seminars take aim at equipment theft.(News)
July 11, 2005... Byline: MICHAEL BRADFORD Heavy equipment theft has become a $1 billion problem for property owners and insurers as professional thieves brazenly steal bulky construction equipment from sometimes poorly guarded sites, experts say. While...

Companies run into taxing problems with domestic partner benefits.(News)
July 11, 2005... Byline: JOANNE WOJCIK SAN DIEGO-Employers that open their group benefit programs to their employees' same-sex partners face numerous pitfalls, particularly when dealing with the taxation of those benefits, a lawyer who specializes in...

Share the consolidation wealth with consumers.(Editorial)
July 11, 2005... We wish we had a dollar for every time a company announced that a big merger or acquisition would "generate economies of scale'' or "increase value'' yet failed to produce substantial savings for its customers. The latest big managed...

Proposed Delaware law beneficial to small captives.(News)
July 11, 2005... Byline: JERRY GEISEL DOVER, Del.-Legislation on its way to the Delaware governor for her signature would slash premium taxes paid by captive insurance companies as the state bids to become a captive domicile powerhouse. The measure,...

Subway, bus bombs highlight unique security exposures.(News)
July 11, 2005... Byline: MARK A. HOFMANN WASHINGTON-The very nature of public transit systems presents security planners with an ever-more-delicate balancing act. As was underscored in last week's terrorist attacks on the London subway and bus systems,...

Terror strikes the heart of London transit; Attacks kill dozens, injure hundreds, but claims unlikely to burden insurers.(News)
July 11, 2005... Byline: SARAH VEYSEY LONDON-Insurance losses from the bomb attacks last week in London are not expected to be severe and any large-scale losses will likely be covered by the United Kingdom's terrorism insurance pool. Four bombs ripped...

Canada closing spigot on prescription drugs.(Editorial)(Brief Article)
July 11, 2005... If there ever was an example of something too good to last forever, the reimportation of prescription drugs from Canada to the United States is it. For the past few years, an increasing number of individuals and public entities have turned...

Canadian employers offer more flexible benefits: Survey.(International)(Brief Article)
July 11, 2005... Byline: GLORIA GONZALEZ More than half of Canadian employers currently offer or plan to offer flexible benefit plans in the next two years, according to a new Hewitt Associates survey. In a survey of nearly 200 Canadian employers,...

Pay for performance helps improve care, satisfaction.(News)(Brief Article)
July 11, 2005... Byline: ROBERTO CENICEROS WALNUT CREEK, Calif.-A California physician pay-for-performance program made gains in 2004 across 14 measures of clinical quality, the Integrated Healthcare Assn. reported last week. The gains are a promising...