Legal and Tax Implications of Incentive Program Design

AUDIOCONFERENCE ON CD OR AUDIO ON-DEMAND

Sponsored by Disease Management Advisor

presented on May 13, 2008

Click here to listen to a brief audio clip with speaker Michael Dermer

Incentive programs for health plan subscribers are becoming increasingly popular and provide a variety of benefits to both the individual and the provider. Individuals gain because they increase their healthy behavior and are generally rewarded financially with either cash in their pocket, a reduction in costs of their health care coverage, a contribution to their flexible spending account, or a prize or gift. Health plans and employers win because incentive programs encourage customer loyalty and healthier participants, which lead to reduced healthcare costs and increased productivity in the long run.

In the wake of increased frequency of incentive programs, compliance standards must be met. Health plans, disease management programs, and wellness companies need to be aware of their legal responsibilities. Incentive based programs must be designed to meet ADA, ERISA, Internal Revenue Code and HIPAA compliance.

Stay in legal and tax compliance

Listen to HCPro's 60-minute audioconference Legal and Tax Implications of Incentive Program Design: Engagement Strategies That Work. Healthcare, performance and recognition incentive entrepreneur Michael Dermer (President, IncentOne) and benefits attorney Amy Gordon (Partner, McDermott Will & Emery LLP) discuss factors to consider for designing and structuring new or existing health focused incentive programs. They point out best practices, along with providing legal compliance advice for your reward program.  They provide examples of behavior that will raise red flags with the various regulatory statutes and focus on strategies to avoid doing so. They also discuss scenarios which could create tax repercussions to both the provider and the beneficiary of the incentive.

At the end of this audioconference, you and your staff will be able to:

• Identify how incentives reduce expense and generate loyalty
• Recognize incentives that health plans need, and navigate the legal issues
• Identify compliant vs. non-compliant program development
• Identify tax and legal implications that need to be considered in the incentive program design and execution
• Learn how to design and implement effective, compliant incentive plans which also appeal to health plans, patients, employees, and employers.

AGENDA

• The marketplace
• Health plan needs
• Incentives to reduce expense and generate loyalty
• Competitive factors
• Legal considerations
• Navigating the legal issues
• ADA
• ERISA
• HIPAA Nondiscrimination rules
• HIPAA privacy rules
• Protected health information
• Incentive vendors
• Marketing
• Disclosure rules
• Tax considerations
• Non-taxable benefits
• Taxable benefits
• Compliance
• Systems expectations
• Compliance vs. incentive technology
• A question and answer session will follow the presentation

Click here to listen to a brief audio clip with speaker Michael Dermer

MEET THE SPEAKERS

Michael G. Dermer, President and CEO, IncentOne. IncentOne has developed significant expertise in creating integrated reward, recognition and incentive programs that motivate both consumers and employees. Through the company’s experience with its FORTUNE 500 client base, Dermer has been instrumental in creating the Best Practices utilized in helping strategic partners and clients achieve superior results in performance improvement, employee recruiting and retention and increasing healthy behaviors.

Amy Gordon, Partner, McDermott Will & Emery LLP. As a member of her firm’s Employee Benefits Department, Gordon practices in the areas of welfare benefits, including self-funded and insured health plans. She assists clients in designing and maintaining compliant flexible benefits including life, medical, dental, pharmacy, EAP, educational assistance, disability, supplemental health, severance, HSA, HRA, and other types of welfare plans. She consults with clients regarding the design and compliance of their wellness programs and initiatives. She also counsels clients with respect to HIPAA, ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code.

WHO SHOULD LISTEN?

Professionals employed by health plans, disease management and wellness companies, and large employers, including:

• Chief medical officer
• CEO, CFO, COO and other top-level executives
• Director of plan design
• Director of benefits
• Human resources director
• Higher level healthcare professionals
• Management level healthcare professionals

PROGRAM MATERIALS

Program materials are provided with PDF links.

AUDIO ON-DEMAND

In addition to the regular purchase option for HCPro audioconferences, we are pleased to offer another option, an audio on-demand. Audio on-demand allows you to download the program and play it back at your convenience through your computer or MP3 player. Purchase a CD or audio on-demand of the program and listen when you can. It's also a perfect training tool for new staff or as a refresher for veteran staff.

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