We are thrilled to share the exciting highlights from our past SPBA 2023 Hybrid Fall Meeting in Nashville, Tennessee. 

The Fall Meeting brought together our esteemed members, industry experts, and thought leaders for a series of insightful discussions, workshops, and networking sessions. The event served as a platform to exchange ideas, explore new opportunities, and strengthen professional relationships.

One of the standout features of the 2023 Fall Meeting was the inclusion of video testimonials from some of our members who attended the meeting. These testimonials capture the essence of our community's dedication and enthusiasm towards the goals and values we collectively uphold. 

Click here to watch these inspiring video testimonials, which embody the diverse perspectives and passion of our community. They exemplify the strength and determination that characterize our members, reinforcing our commitment to driving progress and achieving excellence together.

Discover firsthand why attending the SPBA Meetings is a valuable experience by watching this video featuring insights from a couple of our esteemed service partner members.

Click here to view the video and hear why being a part of SPBA Meetings is significant.

The SPBA Spring Meeting is on May 20-21, 2024 at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C. Only members can attend the meetings. Click here to find out if you are eligible for membership.

If you are not an SPBA member and are interested in attending the meeting, you may attend the meeting if your firm meets the SPBA membership criteria. Click here to fill out the form.

We look forward to having you in the SPBA family!

Below is the detailed 2024 Spring Meeting Agenda:

SPBA Spring Meeting 2024
Agenda
May 20 – May 21
In-Person and Online
The Capital Hilton – Washington, DC
(Meeting Time is Eastern Standard Time)

Monday, May 20

1:00 – 1:30: Welcome, Opening Announcements – SPBA Vice Chairman Kris Smith, President Anne Lennan.

1:30 – 2:15: Legislative Outlook – Join us for an insightful legislative outlook presentation that will delve into the evolving landscape of government policy and regulations.  This session is designed to provide attendees with an understanding of the upcoming legislative agenda with emphasis on possible healthcare reform legislation, key policy priorities and potential impact on health employee benefits. Political dynamics in the House and Senate and insight on the 2024 Presidential election.  Rich Gold, Holland and Knight.

2:15 – 3:15: PBM Reform Proposals in the House and Senate – This presentation will look at the history of the PBM reform legislation, provide an overview of significant PBM reform policy concepts such as spread pricing, rebate pass throughs, transparency, and examine the key legislative proposals that both the House and Senate are advancing.  Nick Bath, Manatt.

3:15 – 3:30: Break for in-person and online viewers.

3:30 – 4:00: Dialysis Legislation – Congressional staff from the House Ways and Means Committee to discuss HR 6860, “Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act” that would undermine the 2022 Supreme Court decision in Marietta Memorial Hospital v. DaVita. Amy Hall, Minority Staff Director of the Subcommittee on Health, House Ways and Means Committee. Moderator: Dan Roslokken.

4:00 – 4:30: “Health Care Price Transparency Act 2.0”/ “Health Care Prices Revealed and Information to Consumers Explained Transparency Act.”  Max Seltzer, Legislative Assistant, Senator Mike Braun (R-IN). Moderator: Richard Mousty.

4:30 – 5:00: Transparency in Coverage – TPA members share experiences with participant usage of the price comparison tools.  Can these tools be leveraged to provide more value to participants, plans and plan sponsors? Panelists: Jeff Walter, Jared Delacerda, and Stacey Minton.

5:00 – 5:15: Table discussion and sharing.

5:15 – 6:15: Cocktail Reception 

Tuesday, May 21

7:15 – 8:00: Continental Breakfast 

8:00 – 8:30: 5500 Form Developments – Florence Novellino-Ott, DOL.

8:30 – 9:00: Legislation on easing Employer Shared Responsibility Reporting and extending the time frame for employers to respond to Employer Shared Responsibility Penalty notices.  John Greene, NABIP. 

9:00 – 10:00: The No Surprises Act Independent Dispute Resolution Process Proposed Rule.  There are many implications for TPAs processing health plans including the claim adjustment reason codes and remittance advice remark codes.  Elizabeth Schumacher, DOL + Bryan Kirk and Noah Isserman, HHS.  Moderator:  Scott Bennett, The Phia Group.

10:00 – 10:15: Break in-person and online viewers.

10:15 – 10:45: Gag Clause – The Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021 prohibits group health plans from entering into agreements with networks or providers that would directly or indirectly restrict a plan from disclosing provider-specific cost or quality information through a consumer engagement tool to the plan sponsor or participants.  The first Gag Clause Attestation was due at the end of 2023.  Members share challenges with agency officials.  David Sydlik, DOL. Moderator and Commentator: Andrew H. A. Meggison, Health Plans, Inc.

10:45 – 11:30: ERISA Fiduciary Rules – An overview of the general fiduciary requirements applicable to health and welfare plans, including group health plans.  These requirements include ERISA’s prudence and loyalty standards, prohibited transaction rules, claim, notice, recordkeeping provisions and fee disclosures. Allie Itami + Malcolm Slee, Groom Law Group.

11:30 – 1:00: Lunch Emerging Professional network tables. Senate room.

1:00 – 1:45: Workshops

• Workshop A – Stop Loss and TPA Discussion – Co-Discussion Leaders: Eric Schulman + Mike Holthaus. Statler AB room.
• Workshop B – Operations – Co-Discussion Leaders: Irma Hernandez + Andrea Gambardella. Massachusetts room.
• Workshop C – Leveraging AI for Compliance – Discussion on how artificial intelligence tools can be utilized to stay updated with cases, regulations, and news in the self-funded industry, enhancing compliance and efficiency.  Scott Bennett, The Phia Group. Congressional Ballroom.

1:45 – 2:00: Break in-person and online viewers

2:00 – 2:30: Preventive Services – Coverage of PreP with no cost-sharing? Advanced EOB and other regulatory updates. Kei Helm, HHS + Elissa Dines, HHS.

2:30 – 3:15: ERISA Disclosure Requirements for Group Health Plans. Emily Lucco, Groom Law Group. Moderator: Suzanne Miller, Planned Administrators, Inc.

3:15 – 4:00: DOL MHPAEA Audits – DOL continues to audit in this area. Hear the latest from the DOL. Matthew Meidell, Acting Deputy Director, DOL.

4:00 – 4:50: Navigating the Shift to Transparent PBMs – Explore the recent trend of major corporations, including Foot Locker, Phifer, and Tyson Foods, transitioning away from traditional PBMs to transparency alternatives.  This presentation will address crucial questions surrounding benefit renewals, RFPs, and market checks amidst this industry transformation. Gain valuable insights into comparing traditional and pass-through PBMs, understanding key metrics, and leveraging clinical capabilities for savings. Hear this session to stay ahead of the curve in an evolving landscape where transparency is the new norm. Kevin Kobielski, Goodroot + Brian Shonat, Goodroot. Moderator: Rick Franklin.

4:50 – 5:35: HIPAA Privacy and Security Updates – Hear about the new guidance on privacy and security, including large scale multi-layer security breaches, new rules following Dobbs, and state restrictions. Kirk Nahra, WilmerHale.

5:35 – 5:40: Closing Remarks, SPBA Vice Chairman Kris Smith.

5:40 – 6:40: Cocktail Reception. 

For more information, please email us at info@spbatpa.org.