Welcome to HRelease, Grizzaffi Darby’s monthly newsletter created specifically for HR professionals involved in benefits management. This newsletter will offer you industry trends, best practices and an expert perspective on current issues.

We’d like to kick off this newsletter by offering you a few things you need this time of year—brevity, sources and help! We know you’re busier in Q4 than any other quarter because you’re planning your budget, probably going though an enrollment period and hoping for a winter vacation of your own! Benefits planning is incredibly important, but many executives view benefits as a bottom line cost rather than an investment in the future. Thus, the time and care needed is rarely allotted. For a quick guide to the key points for evaluation that can save your company money while enhancing your benefits program, check out 10 Evaluation Points for a Quality Benefits Plan available in this issue.

We’ll be offering white papers throughout 2007 on all elements of benefits planning to help you confidently evaluate your options and create the best benefits program for your company in addition to the sources for current industry news. If you want to become more valuable to the executive suite because you speak their language and give them the metrics they want, protect your firm from lawsuits and deliver more value to your employees in 2007, you must be a responsible and educated plan sponsor. Through industry-leading white papers, pertinent links and expert insight, HRelease newsletter will help you get there.

Sincerely,

James “Trey” Darby
President/CEO
Grizzaffi Darby,

• Wellness Programs Work, But Beware Legal Landmines. As employers search for ways to reduce skyrocketing health care costs, the idea of implementing a wellness program to improve employees' health seems like a simple, appealing way to help accomplish that goal. More...
• HSAs Have Tax Benefits for Retirees. Health savings accounts, often thought to be for the young and healthy, can also be a tax-efficient way to save for the worrisome cost of retiree health care. More...
• Wal-Mart's Generic Drug Discount Program Could Pressure PBMs to Lower Margins. When Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. slashed prices on a batch of generic drugs last month, some industry observers predicted the move would reshape the $230 billion prescription drug industry. More...

Grizzaffi Darby is one of the largest benefit consultant teams in Texas. Our strong carrier relationships and more than three decades of experience mean benefits at a lower cost for your company. Grizzaffi Darby creates every benefits package from the “inside out,” going beyond just the basics to gain a deeper understanding of your company’s specific requirements. From conducting employee satisfaction surveys to compiling an in-depth analysis of your claims history, we look at your business from every point of view, especially the most important one – yours.

For more information, contact Trey Darby via e mail at trey.darby@grizzaffidarby.com or visit our website at http://www.grizzaffidarby.com.