Aon Expert Available To Speak on New Guidance Impacting Employer Subsidies on Retiree Drug Coverage; New Regulations to Make Retiree Health Coverage More Palatable for U.S. Employers.

CHICAGO -- On Monday, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued guidance on the new prescription drug benefit that will become available to Medicare beneficiaries starting in 2006. Part of the guidance explains how employers that sponsor retiree health programs may qualify for a 28 percent subsidy of certain prescription drug costs.

Jonathan Nemeth, an actuary and senior vice president with Aon Consulting, is available to comment on and explain the CMS document and its effect on U.S. businesses with respect to:

--Why the proposed regulations may provide an incentive to employers to maintain retiree prescription drug coverage

--Why it's not too early for employers to act

--What options employers have for redesigning their retiree health plans to address the new Medicare drug benefit

--Whether or not jumbo employers will take a different approach to maintaining their retiree medical coverage

--How the subsidy will affect the employer's bottom line

--What employers need to tell their Medicare-eligible employees and retirees as a result of the new law

--How the mechanics of the subsidy program will operate.

To arrange an interview with Mr. Nemeth, contact:
Dave Van de Walle
Aon Consulting
[phone]
[e-mail]

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