Benefits Executive Roundtable

Host Dorothy Cociu interviews Ruth Tello-Di Leva, MS, BCBA, on the affects of COVID on kids with Autism. In Part 2 of our 2-part series for Mental Health Awareness Month, we discuss the way external factors, such as a pandemic, affect kids with autism. We dive into the stress, the anxiety, and the little things that make lives better during such unprecedented times. How did these kids deal with the loss of routines and changes during 2020-2021? Have the availability of vaccines and the return to school helped? Ruth also provides helpful tips for parents and kids during these times. Join us for this heart-warming podcast.

Part 2 of a 2-part series

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Host Dorothy Cociu interviews experts from Hines & Associates, a Utilization Management & Case Management firm, who discuss the negative impacts COVID has had on mental and behavioral health.  Included in this discussion are Anna Hansen, Senior Vice President, Client Solutions & Retention, Suzanne Casel, RN, PMH-BC, Director of Behavioral Health & Wellness, and Karla Weiner, RN, CCM, AATMC, Director of Medical Case Management Operations.  We discuss the differences between gender, race or urbanization, the social and economic neglect of mental health care, the types of disorders, and how things like stress, anxiety and depression can lead to more serious situations, including suicide.  In addition, we discuss how employees suffering from mental or behavioral health conditions can contribute to a lack of productivity and absenteeism in the workplace, and what can be done to improve outcomes.  Please join us for this impactful podcast during Mental Health Awareness Month.  Part 1 of a 2-part series.  

Host Dorothy Cociu welcomes once again Marilyn Monahan of Monahan Law Office on Federal and State Legislative Updates for fall, 2021. Marilyn will discuss the ACA Transparency Rules, the CAA’s No Surprises Act & Transparency, and how grandfathered health plans are affected. In addition, she provides updates on ARPA COBRA Subsidies, FFCRA & ARPA wrap-ups, Long COVID & disabilities, and more. She will also discuss ACA reporting updates, as well as how employers can find a path out of the pandemic, reviewing current guidance from the CA Department of Industrial Relations and Federal Department of Labor. Lastly, Marilyn provides California legislative updates, including Cal Savers, California leave laws, electronic notice postings, mandated benefits, insurance regulation, employment law, minimum wage and city ordinances. This podcast was originally recorded as a client webinar. Edited for podcast use.

Legislative Updates discussed in this episode include:

Federal

California

In Part 2 of our 2-Part Series on Surprise Billing Legislation, host Dorothy Cociu interviews Ryan Day, President, and Collen Dempewolf, Director, Strategic Product Development, of HS Technologies, a Referenced Based Pricing Vendor, on the No Surprises Act’s impact on health plans. They discuss how plans without networks will be treated under the Act, how referenced based pricing plans are impacted, and how communication and cooperation with claims administrators will be required. They also discuss how the Qualifying Payment Amount and Independent Dispute Resolution process will work, whether RBP payment amounts to providers may need to change, and if possible “one-off” agreements, direct provider contracting and other options may be more common for RBP plans due to the Act.

Host Dorothy Cociu and special guest Marilyn Monahan, of Monahan Law office, discuss the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) interim final rule for the No Surprises Act, Part 1, as well as some ACA Transparency in Coverage rules that relate to the CAA. The No Surprises Act focuses on surprise billing for emergency services, as well as billing practices in certain non-network situations by limiting the amount payable to the network rate. Marilyn and Dorothy share the employer plan sponsor concerns, administrative concerns and many new obligations for health plans and issuers. This is a must-listen podcast for health plan sponsor employers!

Podcast Show Notes:

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In Part 2 of this 2-Part Podcast, Host Dorothy Cociu continues her discussions with Ted Mayeshiba and Ted Flittner, Principals of Aditi Group, an IT Security/HIPAA Security/Cybersecurity firm, and Bruce Benton, a life and health and P&C agent, and Vice President, Public Affairs of the California Association of Health Underwriters on how to be better protected against Cyber Attacks. We discuss how to stay safe while traveling, working from home risks, potential new cybersecurity regulations, the importance of proper training, and we look at Cyber Liability Insurance and why it’s so important today.

In Part 1 of this 2-Part Podcast, host Dorothy Cociu interviews Ted Mayeshiba and Ted Flittner, Principals of Aditi Group, an IT Security / HIPAA Security / Cybersecurity firm about the importance of Cybersecurity and how employers can protect themselves. Bruce Benton, a life and health and P&C agent, and Vice President, Public Affairs of the California Association of Health Underwriters is also on-hand. In Part 1, we discuss the growing trend of electronic hacking and cyber attacks that have affected nearly every type of industry, and more specifically, on recent cyber attacks that have had a serious impact on consumers and our infrastructure, and we talk about what companies can do to stay safe and try to avoid these types of attacks. We discuss what happened in some of the cases that hit the news, and we talk about what companies can do to stay safe and try to avoid these types of attacks. We will focus heavily on the “weakest link” – your own employees, and how to protect your company’s critical data.

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) 2021 and Other Legislative Updates – Spring, 2021 – A Special Off-Season Release!

Host Dorothy Cociu and Guest Marilyn Monahan of Monahan Law Office discuss the details of the $1.9 trillion relief package called the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) 2021, as well as the changes to the Outbreak Period, which threw the health insurance industry into turmoil.  Dorothy and Marilyn discuss the outbreak period and timeframe extensions from DOL/EBSA Relief Notice 2021-01, and dive into the details of the ARPA.  They will update you on the overview of the relief package, and attempt to provide clarifications to the complicated COBRA premium assistance/subsidy rules and tax credits.  In addition, they will discuss the Marketplace Advance Premium Tax Credit increases, small business tax credit, PPP modifications, support for restaurants, unemployment assistance, dependent FSA provisions, and updates to the paid family leave/paid sick leave provisions.  Lastly, Marilyn will update you on California’s SB 95, a supplemental paid sick leave law.  Show notes are provided to assist you with these complicated provisions.

Special Downloads & Show Notes