Overview
Alden J. Bianchi and Michael B. Kimberly will be speaking at the Health and Welfare Benefit Plans National Institute 2023 hosted by the American Bar Association (ABA). This two-day program aims to inform practitioners on trends and regulatory developments in the health and welfare benefit plans field. Alden Bianchi is serving as a Program Co-Chair of the event and will be moderating and speaking on several panel sessions over the course of the conference. Michael Kimberly will be speaking on a panel on Tuesday, October 3.
Panel Sessions Include:
Hot Topics in Health and Welfare Plan Litigation
The session will focus on significant court decisions in recent ERISA cases and their impact on health and welfare plans, plan sponsors and service providers, as well as predictions for future trends in ERISA litigation. | Speaking: Michael B. Kimberly
The Nuts and Bolts: An Introduction to ERISA Welfare Plans
Are you new to ERISA health and welfare benefits – or just looking for a refresher on the key rules and legal issues affecting ERISA health and welfare benefits? This session will provide a foundational overview of ERISA health and welfare benefits. | Speaking: Alden J. Bianchi
The Nuts and Bolts of ERISA Preemption
This session will introduce the fundamental principles of ERISA preemption, the impact preemption has on other legislation related to employee benefit plans, and the exceptions to preemption the statute permits. It will detail how ERISA preemption has changed since the statute’s inception and discuss its current effect on state plan regulation, with a particular focus on welfare benefit plans, programs and arrangements. | Moderating: Alden J. Bianchi
Perspectives on Parity: Compliance Challenges Under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA)
This session will explore how plan administrators are tackling MHPAEA compliance challenges (particularly NQTL comparative analyses requirements), review applicable guidance and attempt to provide some practical strategies for plans to follow. | Moderating: Alden J. Bianchi
Hospital Fixed Indemnity/Wellness Programs
This program explores the history of hospital and fixed indemnity programs and their potential for abuse. The panel will pay particular attention to recently proposed regulations aimed at curbing abusive schemes in whatever form they might take. | Moderating: Alden J. Bianchi
1a) Junk Insurance? Unpacking MEC Plans, Rx Discounts, Indemnity Arrangements, and Other Voluntary Benefits
This program offers a glimpse into how certain voluntary benefits programs are marketed and structured, and how they are regulated under both Federal and state law. | Moderating: Alden J. Bianchi
To view the full agenda, please click here.
