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Special Section on Internet/Web-Based Administration of Benefits
Internet/Web-Based Administration of Benefits 
by James Vitiello
Most funds will face the challenge of deploying at least some Web-based functionality in the near future, if they have not already done so. Clear objectives and careful planning will help ensure success.
A Revolutionary Approach to Health Care Cost Control: Leveraging the Power of Web-Enabled Employee "Consumerism"
by Marshall V. Rozzi
The confluence of two trends—health care "consumerism" and employee self-service benefits programs—offers employers a promising opportunity for health care cost control. To take advantage of this opportunity, employers must take a fresh look at the health care cost dilemma.
HR Customer Service—FedEx.com or BUST!
by Howard M. Gerver
As the "customers" of the benefits department, employees, beneficiaries and retirees deserve best practice service delivery. This article describes a benefits administration operating model that can deliver high levels of customer service by furnishing accurate, consistent and timely information.
Employee Benefit Plans Need to Protect Privacy of Participant Information
by Christine A. Williams
Employee benefit plans need to examine their privacy policies and practices. Three areas plan administrators should review are the HIPAA privacy regulations, state law claims for invasion of privacy and Web site privacy policies.
Special Section on Prescription Drug Benefits
Promising Strategies Help Employers Integrate Pharmacy and Medical Programs—and Reap Cost, Quality Advantages
by Wayne Miller
Providing quality pharmacy benefits while managing costs is an escalating challenge for employers. Easy solutions such as higher copays and standard three-tier systems will not provide effective, long-lasting results that include improved clinical outcomes. Employers must concentrate on educating employees.
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act: Employer Health Insurance Plans Must Cover Prescription Contraceptives
by Janell M. Kurtz and Cynthia Mehoves
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which recently took the position that employer health plans are required, in many instances, to cover prescription contraceptives, has issued guidelines to assist employers in complying with the law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex and pregnancy.
General Articles
Who Is a Fiduciary?—Implications of Supreme Court Rulings
by Ira R. Mitzner and Charles V. Mehler III
The determination of who is a fiduciary under ERISA is of extreme importance in assessing potential ERISA liability. The analysis used in making this determination once seemed clear, but that may no longer be the case in the wake of recent Supreme Court decisions tht redefine the line between fiduciary and nonfiduciary conduct.
Account-Based Retiree Medical Plans: What's Good for Your Pension Plan May Be Good for Your Retiree Medical Plan
by William J. Ruschau
Many of the same forces that caused employers to gravitate toward account-based pension plans are beginning to spark similar changes in retiree medical plans. As medical costs continue to escalate, account-based retiree medical plans offer a new way to manage company outlays, while preserving an important benefit for retirees.
A Guide to Understanding Long-Term Care Insurance
by Murray Gordon
Long-term care insurance is an increasingly popular benefit that has a number of advantages for both employers and employees. This coverage can protect employee assets and retirement savings and can be offered as a tax-free benefit if the plan is qualified. The premiums can be tax-deductible to employees, and the benefit is portable.
When the Fine Print Isn't So Fine: Reviewing Contracts of Health Plan Service Providers
by Tami Simon and Mark Hamelburg
Most employers delegate responsibilities for health plan administration to one or more service providers or vendors. Recent legal developments make it increasingly important for employers to ensure that the contracts with their vendors provide appropriate protections against liability, hold vendors accountable for performing the services they agree to provide and enable plans to comply with an ever-expanding list of federal and state law requirements.
Making Top Picks for Your Benefits Package—What to Look for in a Supplemental Insurance Provider
by Kevin Walsh
Supplemental insurance offers many employers an ideal solution to the dilemma of enhancing benefits while controlling costs, but the decision of which provider to use is crucial. This article lists factors that should be considered in the selection process.