Recently Published Articles by Jim Baker, SPHR, Sr. Consultant Human Resource Services

• Getting It Done For Business - Workforce Development
• BEWARE: UNIONS ARE NOW FOCUSING EFFORTS ON ORGANIZING COMPANIES ONE-DEPARTMENT-AT-A-TIME!
• Internet Blogging Policy Vetted by NLRB ALJ
• Criminal History Record and use of related records for employment decisions
• Beware of Multiple Violations in OSHA audit.
• On-site Training Available: “What are you doing to prepare for a new union-friendly labor law environment?”
• NLRB and Micro-Bargaining Units
• Social Media and Use of Email
• Union Free Philosophy Sample

OFCCP proposal to require workforce be seven percent people with disabilities.

Inpatient vs. Outpatient/Observation Hospital Status - NEW
Jul 2, 2011 Jim Baker
In an effort to detect and reduce Medicare waste, fraud and abuse, The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), as well as many insurance providers, have increased scrutiny on the medical necessity of a one-day length of stay for inpatient admissions to hospitals.
In response to this, hospitals are now screening inpatient admissions for Medical necessity, and educating providers, nurses, administration and other staff on the medical necessity requirements for inpatient status.
The result has been an increase in the number of outpatient observation patients and an increase in confusion on what the differences are between inpatient vs. outpatient (observation) status.
Read More at: http://www.voluntarybenefitsmagazine.com/article-detail.php?issue=issue-25&article=inpatient-vs-outpatient

Health-Care Options for Retirees
Exploring alternatives as employer converage dwindles
Read more at: http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/naylor/PSHB0111/#/12

Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Job may be too big for Not-for-profit CEO
July 10, 2010  Jim Baker
On July 7th President Obama has used a recess appointment to get around GOP opposition and install Dr. Donald Berwick to serve as Administrator of the Centers.
Read more at: http://www.selffundingmagazine.com/article-detail.php?issue=issue-8&article=administrator 

1099 Contractors and Healthcare Reform
July 10 2010 Jim Baker
Buried in the details of “The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act” is a hidden provision.
Read more at: http://www.voluntarybenefitsmagazine.com/article-detail.php?issue=issue14&article=contractors-healthcare-reform

Healthcare Reform What Happened, So What, Now What
June 15, 2010  Jim Baker
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“PPACA”) was signed into law on March 23, 2010.
Read more at: http://www.selffundingmagazine.com/article-detail.php?issue=issue7&article=healthcare-reform-what-happened 

2010 Healthcare Costs Likely To Rise at Higher Rate Than 2009
Jan 4, 2010  Jim Baker
The “Kaiser Family Foundation” (KFF) publication titled “2009 Kaiser Employer Health Benefits Survey” can be viewed on-line; I would not recommend that you print it unless you want all 238 pages in hard copy. In doing this survey they completed full interviews 
Read more at: http://selfinsurancemagazine.com/article-detail.php?issue=Issue2&article=2010-healthcare-costs-likely