General Sessions: Chicago Health and Welfare Plan Management for Mid-Sized Employers Conference

99% of Past Participants Would Recommend This Program To A Colleague

Opening Keynote • Wednesday, June 16 • 9:00 am

A Mid-Market Perspective on Health Care Reform: Upsides, Concerns and Consequences
Kerry Finnegan, Worldwide Partner
U.S. Health & Benefits Enterprise and Advisory Business Leader, Chicago
Mercer
Health care reform is now a certainty and will mean many changes for employers over the next several years. Kerry Finnegan takes a look at the timing and effects of reform and shares some thoughts on how employers can manage costs in the near term.

Luncheon Keynote • Wednesday, June 16 • 11:45 am

Benefit Program Transformation
Michael Barton, Chairman of Employee Benefits
Willis
Has the economy forced you to reconsider your approach to employee benefits? If so, you may be ready for transformational change. Long term, sustainable results can be achieved when your employees are actively engaged in making decisions regarding their health and well-being. The key is understanding the stages of change and effective design modifications to engage employees, drive behavior change and optimize benefit program success.

Morning Keynote • Thursday, June 17 • 8:30 am

Transforming Benefits Strategy
Gerald W. Frye, President
The Benefit Services Group, Inc.
Frantically stomping out fires is nobody’s favorite way to conduct business, but many of us get caught in this trap, especially when budgets and workforces shrink. What’s needed to transform a business entity from reactive to proactive is an effective strategic approach. In a presentation blending theory and practice, Gerald Frye shares a wake-up call with both benefits staff and the C-suite. He discusses the drivers of benefit costs and how those drivers must prescribe key elements of a successful strategic plan.

Luncheon Keynote • Thursday, June 17 • 12:00 pm

Using the Inconvenient Truth About Health Care Behavior to Impact Trend and Utilization
Kara J. Trott, Chief Executive Officer
Quantum Health, Inc.
Why can’t our vendors get more people engaged? Why don’t employees use the tools we provide? Why are claims still increasing? We haven’t faced the inconvenient truths about our health care system and human behavior. Understanding when members need services and can be effectively intercepted is key to successful outcomes. Employers who understand and use this information have reduced utilization, engaged more than 90% of patients and cut trend in half. Kara Trott highlights these inconvenient truths and illustrates strategies for successful outcomes.

Friday, June 18 • 8:30 am

Plan Sponsor Round Tables
Join a small group discussion to share your experiences with fellow employers and experts in the benefits field. Pose questions, share ideas and compare solutions with others who are facing or who have already successfully confronted a situation like yours. Confirmed registrants have the opportunity to provide input into the issues these small group discussions will explore. Examples include: CDHC implementation, wellness programs for small companies, vendor management, global benefits, Rx strategies, self-insurance and employee communication.