VEChannel Event Profile

Straight Talk About Health Care Design and Reimbursement Plan Alternatives

By now, you have no doubt heard several presentations on HSAs, perhaps even including ours. And, with all of us having been through our first health plan renewal since HSAs were created, you may well have explored the alternative of High Deductible Health Plans and HSAs as a way to reduce costs. So what makes this presentation different from the others? This is a "How To" approach to defined contribution plan designs that considers each of the available tools. In other words, while the vast majority of the presentations to date have focused on the technical considerations associated with HSAs and the other alternatives for health care reimbursement, our presentation will approach this important subject from the perspective of case studies. So, while we will certainly identify the similarities and differences of HSAs, FSAs, and HRAs from a legal standpoint, the focus of the webcast will be on the plan design, cost, communication, and employee relations considerations of hypothetical employers and groups of employees and their objectives for their health care program. This webcast will approach the subject without bias or prejudice. Each option will receive fair and equal consideration. Prior to the presentation, all registrants will receive handout materials that include the employee demographics of the case study organizations that we will be examining, as well as details on their current health plans and their objectives for maximizing the plans cost effectiveness. Then, the webcast will take these sets of circumstances and objectively and systematically examine various alternatives for achieving objectives. We will consider such things as: Should the employers offer a High Deductible Health Plan to take advantage of the new HSA rules, or just a higher deductible health plan than currently exists? If an HSA program is utilized, should it be employer sponsored, with employer contributions? Should it be incorporated into a Section 125 cafeteria plan to achieve immediate tax advantages? Should an FSA be offered in addition to the HSA? Could the same goals be accomplished with an HRA, or perhaps an FSA with employer contributions? These and many more critical questions will be explored, and the pros and cons of each alternative will be evaluated in light of the applicable laws and the employers objectives. PRESENTER Darcy L. Hitesman, JD Darcy is a nationallyrecognized employee benefits attorney with vast experience in the health care benefit arena. Darcy has practiced in the area of employee benefits law for over 18 years. Her broadbased experience includes daytoday counseling, handbook review, contract negotiation, agency representation, and substantive support in employee benefits litigation. She advises clients regarding compliance with the Internal Revenue Code, ERISA, FMLA, and state insurance laws. Darcys clients include third party service providers, health care providers, plan sponsors, and employers. In addition to coauthoring the " ERISA Compliance for Health & Welfare Plans" , she is a frequent speaker to both legal and nonlegal audiences. Darcy has been named a "Super Lawyer" by her peers and has also been recognized as one of the Top 50 Women Lawyers in Minnesota. No health care benefits professional should miss this opportunity to participate in this objective look at health care design issues.

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