1. 5 ELEMENTS TO OPERATIONALIZE YOUR BENEFITS STRATEGY

2. Health systems consolidation ACOs – different kinds
WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW
Health Care Industry
Health systems consolidation
ACOs – different kinds
Increase in PAs/NPs
Specialty drugs
Venture capital
Industry Update – HealthCare Industry
Health systems consolidation
ACOs – different kinds
Increase in PAs/NPs
Specialty Drugs – 1% of all scripts; 25% of spending
Venture capital – healthcare toppled technology in 2nd quarter of 2014; 50% of all VC money into healthcare

3. Alternative funding methods Staying in the “game”
WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW
Employers
ACA reporting
Increase in HSAs
Financing dependents?
Alternative funding methods
Staying in the “game”
Industry Update – Employers
ACA Reporting – Hourly & 6055/6056
Increase in Account-Based Plans – AHIP study = 17.4m in 2014
Financing Dependents? – UPS spousal waiver
Alternative funding methods – Self, Level, and Captives
Staying in the ‘game’ – Mercer study = 4% of large employers, 16% of mid-market to small employers will ‘leave’ the game

4. BENEFITS BUYERS Keep the Same Uninterested Follows the Rules
Change Averse
“I like what we have; don’t change a thing!”
Uninterested
Indifferent
“Don’t bother me; I’m running my business!”
Follows the Rules
Paternal
“This is what they need!”
Quick Start
Innovative
“Tell me what’s next and I’ll do it!”
Benefits Buyers
Discuss each category
Thought Exercise – Where do you fit now? Do you think you fit in one category but in practice fit in another? Where do you want to go? What needs to happen to get you there?

5. WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW Technology Technology
Share story from Florida meeting
HRIS or Benefits Technology?
What’s Happening? Maxwell video

6. Determine if you’re tech-savvy or a Luddite Review mobile capabilities
WHAT SHOULD WE BE DOING?
Technology
Determine if you’re tech-savvy or a Luddite
Review mobile capabilities
Review marketplace of potential partners
Technology champion
What should we be doing?
Tech-savvy or Luddite? Do you really have a choice?
Review mobile capabilities – mobile purchasing to grow by 61% by 2015…some 47 billion transactions; where we buy things has changed
Review marketplace – Lots of new companies, money, and technology platforms
Technology Champion – Who can help you figure this out?

7. WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW Communication Company Size <100 100-500
500-1,000
1,000-5,000
5,000+
Benefits & Comm Strategy X
Communication of legal requirements
In-person or virtual meetings
Branded benefits materials for enrollment and new hires
Way to capture Employee feedback & questions
Monthly or quarterly updates/tips
Branded benefits web site on the internet
Social media as part of overall strategy
Communication
Yes, it’s important
What’s Happening? Chart & Video
Examples: Benefits statements, YouTube Videos, GoPro

8. Total Rewards Statement
WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW
Communication
Total Rewards Statement

9. Year-round benefits communication – now a must
WHAT SHOULD WE BE DOING?
Communication
Year-round benefits communication – now a must
Utilize different mediums – technology, blogs, websites, paper, etc.
Communication = building education and awareness
Internal expertise OR outsource it – have a partner that can customize
What should we be doing?
Year-round benefits communication
Use different mediums
Communication = building Education & Awareness
Internal expertise or outsource it   

10. WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW Compliance Compliance
What’s Happening? More compliance due to ACA, increase in DOL audits, share some examples (small doctor office, example of process from DOL)

11. Turn information into action Get an ERISA attorney
WHAT SHOULD WE BE DOING?
Compliance
Turn information into action
Get an ERISA attorney
Compliance to workflow
Insource vs. Outsource?
What should we be doing?
Turn info into action – systematize the information
Get an ERISA attorney
Compliance to workflow – generally the workflow, not the area of compliance
Insource vs Outsource – how much can you do yourself and how much can you outsource? There are a bunch of partners, TPAs, payroll vendors, etc. who do this work

12. WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW Financing Benefits Health & Wellness Data Data
Financing Benefits – more funding strategies, interest in defined-contribution (employer as financier), more scrutiny on Rx management, third-party actuarial services
Health & Wellness – now part of overall benefits strategy, incentives, personal responsibility, (EEOC)
Employee Demographics – workforce dynamics changing, impact of millennials, what about those baby-boomers?

13. Know your numbers – and (increasingly) the numbers of your employees
WHAT SHOULD WE BE DOING?
Data
Know your numbers – and (increasingly) the numbers of your employees
How should I finance employer-sponsored healthcare?
Treat benefits data like you would business data – stay on top of it
What should we be doing?

14. Convergence of technology, communication and enrollment
WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW
Enrollment
Convergence of technology, communication and enrollment
Changed forever with ACA
Ongoing enrollment = more compliance now than ever
Increased amount of time to educate & communicate
Individual shopping experience – pick the benefits that fit your specific situation
Enrollment
What’s Happening?
Convergence of technology, communication and enrollment
Changed forever with ACA
Ongoing enrollment = more compliance now than ever
Increased amount of time to educate & communicate
Individual shopping experience - pick the benefits that fit your specific situation
What should we be doing?
Review technology and communication strategy
Customize the employee experience – Netflix Video
Brand your benefits materials
Plan early and communicate often

15. Review technology and communication strategy
WHAT SHOULD WE BE DOING?
Enrollment
Review technology and communication strategy
Customize the employee experience
Brand your benefits materials
Plan early and communicate often

16. FUTURE OF BENEFITS Vision for Future of Benefits
Technology is central component to benefits = it organizes and streamlines the other 4 categories
Employees will ‘subscribe’ to benefits programs
Expansion of benefits at all size employers
Employer = financier, Employee = decision-maker
Mobile device will be interface into benefits