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	<title>DMEC Legislative Updates</title>
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		<title>DMEC Legislative Updates</title>
		<link>http://dmeclegal.wordpress.com</link>
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		<item>
		<title>COVERED CALIFORNIA ANNOUNCES PLANS AND RATES FOR 2014</title>
		<link>http://dmeclegal.wordpress.com/2013/05/25/covered-california-announces-plans-and-rates-for-2014/</link>
		<comments>http://dmeclegal.wordpress.com/2013/05/25/covered-california-announces-plans-and-rates-for-2014/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 25 May 2013 23:33:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>johngarner</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[California]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[health care reform]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[health insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[health plans]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://dmeclegal.wordpress.com/?p=1109</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Covered California™ (the Health Benefits Exchange in California) has announced 13 health insurance plans that will offer health care coverage to millions of Californians in 2014. The plans reflect a mix of large non-profit and commercial plans, along with well-known Medi-Cal and regional plans. &#160; The tentative selection of health plans is subject to a [&#8230;]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dmeclegal.wordpress.com&#038;blog=2946345&#038;post=1109&#038;subd=dmeclegal&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://dmeclegal.wordpress.com/2013/05/25/covered-california-announces-plans-and-rates-for-2014/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	
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			<media:title type="html">johngarner</media:title>
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		<item>
		<title>EEOC REVISES PUBLICATIONS ABOUT SPECIFIC DISABILITIES</title>
		<link>http://dmeclegal.wordpress.com/2013/05/16/eeoc-revises-publications-about-specific-disabilities/</link>
		<comments>http://dmeclegal.wordpress.com/2013/05/16/eeoc-revises-publications-about-specific-disabilities/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 16 May 2013 22:13:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>johngarner</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Federal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ADA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[disability]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[EEOC]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Equal Employment Opportunity Commission]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sick leave]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://dmeclegal.wordpress.com/?p=1106</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has updated a series of question-and-answer documents addressing particular disabilities in the workplace.  These documents explain how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to job applicants and employees who have or had cancer, diabetes, epilepsy and intellectual disabilities. These documents explain: when an employer may ask an [&#8230;]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dmeclegal.wordpress.com&#038;blog=2946345&#038;post=1106&#038;subd=dmeclegal&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://dmeclegal.wordpress.com/2013/05/16/eeoc-revises-publications-about-specific-disabilities/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	
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			<media:title type="html">johngarner</media:title>
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		<title>DOL RELEASES MODEL NOTICES REGARDING HEALTH MARKETPLACES</title>
		<link>http://dmeclegal.wordpress.com/2013/05/15/dol-releases-model-notices-regarding-health-marketplaces/</link>
		<comments>http://dmeclegal.wordpress.com/2013/05/15/dol-releases-model-notices-regarding-health-marketplaces/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 15 May 2013 02:16:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>johngarner</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Federal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[COBRA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[health care reform]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[health insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[health plans]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://dmeclegal.wordpress.com/?p=1087</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Department of Labor (DOL) has issued guidance on the Affordable Care Act Exchange Notifications.  All employers are required to provide all of their employees copies of a notice beginning October 1, 2013. Many provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that become effective beginning in 2014 are designed to expand access to [&#8230;]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dmeclegal.wordpress.com&#038;blog=2946345&#038;post=1087&#038;subd=dmeclegal&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://dmeclegal.wordpress.com/2013/05/15/dol-releases-model-notices-regarding-health-marketplaces/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	
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			<media:title type="html">johngarner</media:title>
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		<title>2014 LIMITS FOR HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS AND OOP LIMITS UNDER ACA</title>
		<link>http://dmeclegal.wordpress.com/2013/05/07/2014-limits-for-health-savings-accounts-and-oop-limits-under-aca/</link>
		<comments>http://dmeclegal.wordpress.com/2013/05/07/2014-limits-for-health-savings-accounts-and-oop-limits-under-aca/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 07 May 2013 01:57:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>johngarner</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Federal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[health insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[health plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[health care reform]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://dmeclegal.wordpress.com/?p=1070</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The IRS has announced inflation adjustments for 2014 related to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Maximum Annual Contribution: Self $3,300 (up from $3,250 in 2013) Family $6,550 (up from $6,450 in 2013 By statute, the catch-up contribution will remain $1,000 for people age 55 and over. Minimum Annual Deductible for High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP): Self [&#8230;]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dmeclegal.wordpress.com&#038;blog=2946345&#038;post=1070&#038;subd=dmeclegal&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://dmeclegal.wordpress.com/2013/05/07/2014-limits-for-health-savings-accounts-and-oop-limits-under-aca/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	
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			<media:title type="html">johngarner</media:title>
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		<title>SPLIT DECISION BY 6th CIRCUIT UPHOLDS DISABILITY CLAIM DENIAL</title>
		<link>http://dmeclegal.wordpress.com/2013/05/02/split-decision-by-6th-circuit-upholds-disability-claim-denial/</link>
		<comments>http://dmeclegal.wordpress.com/2013/05/02/split-decision-by-6th-circuit-upholds-disability-claim-denial/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 02 May 2013 00:23:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>johngarner</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Federal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[disability]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Employee Retirement Income Security Act]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://dmeclegal.wordpress.com/?p=1068</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The United States Court Of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has ruled that a denial of benefits was not arbitrary and capricious.  While the insurer prevailed, there are lessons to be learned that could make other cases more clear cut in the future. The case is Judge v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. Thomas Judge underwent [&#8230;]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dmeclegal.wordpress.com&#038;blog=2946345&#038;post=1068&#038;subd=dmeclegal&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://dmeclegal.wordpress.com/2013/05/02/split-decision-by-6th-circuit-upholds-disability-claim-denial/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	
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			<media:title type="html">johngarner</media:title>
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		<item>
		<title>Q AND As RELATED TO HEALTH INSURANCE MARKET REFORMS</title>
		<link>http://dmeclegal.wordpress.com/2013/04/30/q-and-as-related-to-health-insurance-market-reforms/</link>
		<comments>http://dmeclegal.wordpress.com/2013/04/30/q-and-as-related-to-health-insurance-market-reforms/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 30 Apr 2013 23:54:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>johngarner</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Federal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[health insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[health plans]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[health care reform]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://dmeclegal.wordpress.com/?p=1066</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Center for Consumer Information &#38; Insurance Oversight (CCIIO) within the Centers for Medicare &#38; Medicaid Services (CMS) has provided questions and answers for health insurance insurers and states related to health insurance market reforms.  Topics addressed include geographic rating areas, association coverage and premium adjustment when coverage becomes secondary to Medicare. Geographic Rating Areas [&#8230;]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dmeclegal.wordpress.com&#038;blog=2946345&#038;post=1066&#038;subd=dmeclegal&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://dmeclegal.wordpress.com/2013/04/30/q-and-as-related-to-health-insurance-market-reforms/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	
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			<media:title type="html">johngarner</media:title>
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		<item>
		<title>GUIDANCE ISSUED FOR 2014 SBCs</title>
		<link>http://dmeclegal.wordpress.com/2013/04/30/guidance-issued-for-2014-sbcs/</link>
		<comments>http://dmeclegal.wordpress.com/2013/04/30/guidance-issued-for-2014-sbcs/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:29:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>johngarner</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Federal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[health care reform]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[health insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[health plans]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://dmeclegal.wordpress.com/?p=1064</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Treasury have issued Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the summary of benefits and coverage (SBC) requirements for 2014.  The documents authorized for the first year of applicability do not include language for the statement in the SBC regarding whether a plan or coverage provides [&#8230;]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dmeclegal.wordpress.com&#038;blog=2946345&#038;post=1064&#038;subd=dmeclegal&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://dmeclegal.wordpress.com/2013/04/30/guidance-issued-for-2014-sbcs/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	
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			<media:title type="html">johngarner</media:title>
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		<item>
		<title>SUPREME COURT HOLDS THAT PLAN TERMS MUST BE FOLLOWED</title>
		<link>http://dmeclegal.wordpress.com/2013/04/20/supreme-court-holds-that-plan-terms-must-be-followed/</link>
		<comments>http://dmeclegal.wordpress.com/2013/04/20/supreme-court-holds-that-plan-terms-must-be-followed/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 20 Apr 2013 00:06:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>johngarner</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Employee Retirement Income Security Act]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[health insurance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[health plans]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://dmeclegal.wordpress.com/?p=1062</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The U.S. Supreme Court, addressing an issue where the Circuit Courts have been split, has held that ERISA plans seeking reimbursement from a plan participant who obtains a recovery from a third party are entitled to follow the terms of the plan.  To the extent that a plan’s terms are not clearly expressed, general equitable [&#8230;]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dmeclegal.wordpress.com&#038;blog=2946345&#038;post=1062&#038;subd=dmeclegal&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://dmeclegal.wordpress.com/2013/04/20/supreme-court-holds-that-plan-terms-must-be-followed/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	
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			<media:title type="html">johngarner</media:title>
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		<item>
		<title>8th CIRCUIT SAYS EMPLOYEE FAILED TO PROVIDE FMLA NOTICE</title>
		<link>http://dmeclegal.wordpress.com/2013/04/18/8th-circuit-says-employee-failed-to-provide-fmla-notice/</link>
		<comments>http://dmeclegal.wordpress.com/2013/04/18/8th-circuit-says-employee-failed-to-provide-fmla-notice/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 18 Apr 2013 20:47:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>johngarner</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Federal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FMLA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[leave]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[notice of need for leave]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[termination of employment]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://dmeclegal.wordpress.com/?p=1059</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit says that an employee who had often followed a company’s call-in procedure in the past, but instead relied on a coworker to notify her employer of her need for Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave failed to provide sufficient notice of her need for [&#8230;]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dmeclegal.wordpress.com&#038;blog=2946345&#038;post=1059&#038;subd=dmeclegal&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://dmeclegal.wordpress.com/2013/04/18/8th-circuit-says-employee-failed-to-provide-fmla-notice/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	
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			<media:title type="html">johngarner</media:title>
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		<title>8TH CIRCUIT RULES ANXIETY MAY PUT AN EMPLOYER ON NOTICE</title>
		<link>http://dmeclegal.wordpress.com/2013/04/18/8th-circuit-rules-anxiety-may-put-an-employer-on-notice/</link>
		<comments>http://dmeclegal.wordpress.com/2013/04/18/8th-circuit-rules-anxiety-may-put-an-employer-on-notice/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:18:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>johngarner</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Federal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FMLA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[notice of need for leave]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[termination of employment]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://dmeclegal.wordpress.com/?p=1057</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The United States Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit, has ruled that an employee who is in obvious distress has put an employer on notice of a possible need for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).  When Ruby Clinkscale appealed a district court&#8217;s grant of summary judgment in favor of her former employer, [&#8230;]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=dmeclegal.wordpress.com&#038;blog=2946345&#038;post=1057&#038;subd=dmeclegal&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://dmeclegal.wordpress.com/2013/04/18/8th-circuit-rules-anxiety-may-put-an-employer-on-notice/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	
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