How Defined-Contribution Benefit Design Can Help Insurers, Employers and Enrollees
Webinar • Tuesday, February 14, 2012 • 1:00-2:30 Eastern time

Sponsored by Atlantic Information Services, Inc., publisher of
Health Plan Week, AIS’s Health Reform Week and
Inside Health Insurance Exchanges

In recent years, defined-contribution plans have become a popular option to traditional defined-benefit plans. The model provides for a more predictable health care spend, while allowing enrollees to take greater control over their health care dollars and choose a plan that more closely meets their individual needs. In today’s competitive environment, defined-contribution strategies are increasingly being developed by insurers to help them retain clients. As premium costs continue to rise and private exchanges grow, defined-contribution plans may be instrumental in persuading many employers to retain health coverage for their employees.

Find out how your organization can take advantage of this major trend in benefit design.

Learn more • Register today

 
Within days of each other in November, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City and Highmark began promoting their private exchange models, through which they will offer defined-contribution plans to small businesses. While the K.C. Blues plan has offered defined-contribution options since 2009, Highmark launched its exchange as a pilot this month with 20 small-employer clients. In the face of growing demand, many insurers are adding more defined-contribution options, which range from high-premium offerings with limited out-of-pocket costs to less costly high-deductible options.

Join us on Feb. 14 and hear Ron Rowe, from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, Alan Cohen, from Liazon Corporation, and Christopher Condeluci, from Venable LLP, as they discuss why defined-contribution plans are garnering so much interest, the advantages they hold for employers and health plans, and why they may eventually become the dominant plan type. You’ll get insider perspectives on key questions such as:

• What outcomes have health plans experienced since implementing defined-contribution plans?
• How could a growing demand for defined-contribution options create a new level of competition among insurers?
• How can companies best implement defined-contribution plans?
• What pitfalls do employers need to avoid with regard to tax treatment, nondiscrimination rules, HIPAA and other legal issues related to defined-contribution plans?
• Why are some employers that don’t offer coverage now clamoring for a defined-contribution strategy? 
• Why won’t some employers want to use a defined-contribution approach for all of their employees?
• How, and to what extent, is defined-contribution expected to be integrated into the development of private exchanges?
• What do brokers and agents need to know before promoting the model to clients?
• Why will some employees embrace skinnier benefits and limited provider access in favor of lower costs at the providers they use the most?

Following the 60 minutes of expert presentations, a concluding 30-minute Q&A session will provide answers to your questions about how defined-benefit plans are changing the way health care benefits are designed and delivered. Sign up today!

Sponsored by Atlantic Information Services, Inc., publisher of
Health Plan Week, AIS’s Health Reform Week and Inside Health Insurance Exchanges

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