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Tips for SPBA Members

Nothing written by SPBA is legal advice.

Directory of TPAs, Stop-Loss & Service Partners

Articles and Materials

SPBA 2024 Member Directory of TPAs, Stop-Loss, and Service Partners

SPBA Value To You

Articles and Materials

2024 SPBA Value To You
2023 SPBA Value To You

A Message from SPBA's Chairman

Articles and Materials

Marc Paulson Welcome Message

Cautions

Articles and Materials

Read All Your Contracts
Funding: Action Steps When a Client Stops Funding Claims
Percents, rebates & any unusual payment arrangements: ERISA concerns
States Taxing TPAs?: Talking Points & Strategy
Overpayment Refunds from Providers (for your eyes only)
More & Broader Privacy Expected
Welfare Benefit Plan Subject to Suit Based on Assignment
Funding: Practical Hints to Protect Yourself If You Think a Client Isn't Going to Fund Claims
Passing Info from TPA to TPA during Client Change: Some Considerations
Caution to TPAs Related to Medical Entities or other outside owners
Double Warning on Independent Contractor Employment Status
Bank Failures and Dumping TPAs
When You Overpay a Provider
Hints When the TPA is Being Sued or Attacked
Disaster Thinking & Planning Strategies for Your Firm
Avoiding the Big-Buck Costs & Liabilities
Beware "Too Easy" Options In Benefit Administration
Bill Collector Woes: PPO, Providers and Old Higher Charges - Still at it.
Canada Issues: Importing Drugs - Canada Drug Warning (again) (Nov 2003)
ERISA Fiduciary: Beware % Payments
Funding: To: Employers & Plans Having Trouble Fully Funding their ERISA Employee Benefit Plan
My Attorney Says....
Why 99% of Plans Should Have a Formal Trust
Bill Collectors: More "Bill Collector" Tactics & Defense
Collection Agency Harassment for Medical Bills
Bill Collectors: Under State and Federal Law
Why VEBA Tax-exemption is Obsolete These Days

Marketing TPA Services + PR

Articles and Materials

Why Use a TPA?
Choosing & Evaluating TPA Services
Self-Funding Success Website: Use Self-Funding 101 Content in your Content
Self-Funding Success Website: Adding Links to Your Site
Self-Funding Success Website: Develop Your Testimonials into Success Stories
Self-Funding Success Website: Posting Success Stories on Your Social Channels
Self-Funding Success Website: Your "Actual Success" Articles Requested
What Brokers Should Seek in A TPA
What Happens When an Employer Makes the Switch to Self-Funding
An Open Letter to Cost-conscious Clients of SPBA Member TPAs
Hints on Marketing to TPAs
"Stung" or Risk Averse?
A Handy Way to Remember Who is "Administrator" & "Fiduciary"
An Open Letter to Clients and Potential Clients of SPBA Members
Canada Issues: Admin Costs: US vs Canada
Congratulations & Press Tips
Letter to Editor - "Business Insurance" - Value of TPAs
Luring Your Clients Away
Outsourcing & Offshore Considerations
Performance Standards, Guarantees, Penalties & Bonuses
Responses to Anti TPA Propaganda
Rewards for TPAs in Government Complicance
The greatest challenge for employee benefits: Government Compliance
TPA Cost Value
Your TPA Firm as a Leading "Good Guy"
IRS Retirement Plan News
What We Tell Vendors and Researchers About You
Misperceptions About "Extra Security" When an Insurer is Contract Administrator Versus an Independent TPA Firm

Operations + Ownership Tips

Articles and Materials

SSAE 16: Survival Guide (ppt from Fall 2011 Meeting)
SPBA Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy
Your Spokesperson Responding to Emergencies: How to Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions about TPAs
Handling Prescriptions for Non-Prescriptions Progress Report
Successful Mergers & Acquisitions
Buy/Sell: Most Frequent Questions about Buying TPAs
Starting a TPA
Buy/Sell: Advice on Buying TPA firms
Buy/Sell: Buying & Selling TPAs
Buy/Sell: TPA Buy/Sell Advice
Buy/Sell: What's the Price Range to Buy or Sell a TPA?
Expense & Operational Benchmarks of Well-Run TPAs
No TPA Operating Ratios Or Staffing Standards
TPA Operating Ratios $$$$$: A primer for TPAs and those asking them for this data
What are the impacts of mergers & buy-outs on TPA operations?
What are the Roles, Advantages, and Disadvantages of TPAs in Managing Pension Payments?

Official Source Documents

AICPA Advisory on Outsourced Plan Functions

SPBA Board of Directors

Articles and Materials

SPBA Board of Directors Application
June 2024 - May 2025 SPBA Board of Directors Contact Info.
Board of Director's Role Description
Self-Nominate to be a SPBA Board Candidate

SPBA Organizational Information

Articles and Materials

SPBA Dues Structure for 2025
By-Laws of the Society of Professional Benefit Administrators
SPBA Staff
SPBA Digital Graphics
SPBA Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy
SPBA Code of Ethics
SPBA Code of Ethics
SPBA Mission & Vision Statement
Why Doesn't SPBA Do ___???
A Reality Check of SPBA's Role
Deciding if a firm is eligible to join SPBA and if it would be a worthwhile investment for you
A Members' Guide to SPBA Operation Policies & Customs
CEO, COO, CFO Insight
Hints for senior contacts
How to figure your income size for SPBA purposes
Important Warnings
Members' Bad Office Habits
Only Named Contacts May Contact SPBA for Technical Assistance
Report on SPBA Meeting Planning
SPBA Association Description
SPBA History and Customs
SPBA No Go to Court
SPBA's Board of Directors: What do they do and how are they chosen?
What Makes SPBA Tick
What SPBA Can + Can Not Do to Support State TPA Associations
Why SPBA Does Not Take Formal "Positions"
A Brief History of SPBA

Technology Service Partner

Articles and Materials

Service Partner Application (2024)

Understanding Government Role & Perspective

Articles and Materials

11 Common Benefits Myths
A Dozen Quick Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
Form over Function
Government Compliance: Your Biggest Cost & Threat
Recognizing Who is the Boss of Your Benefit Plan and Your Largest Legal Liability
What We Tell Vendors and Researchers About You
Who is "Government"
Why So Much Government Regulation? Why Use a TPA?
A Guide to Really Understanding and Really Influencing Government Policy-Making