Phia Group

Best Practices for Today's Plan Documents

On October 17, 2017
There’s a reason the law governs how plan documents must be formed and distributed – and it’s that the plan document remains the be-all-end-all of the plan’s and member’s rights. For this reason, it is crucial to ensure that the plan document is compliant to a T, is clear and comprehensible, and is able to contain costs.

It’s Time To Renew – Revisiting Stop Loss Trends

On September 21, 2017
It’s that time of year again – renewal season! What is often overlooked is the type of stop loss carrier to partner with for the next plan year. Stop loss choices are often made just on the premium cost, however plans should look at more than just the price. Stop loss is something most self funded benefit plans rely upon to ensure their financial viability and long term success.

A True Impact on the Bottom Line – Identifying Current Issues, Implementing Solutions & Seeing Results!

On August 22, 2017
The Phia Group’s legal team frequently addresses the biggest issues impacting the health benefits industry today. Join them as they dissect the conflicts threatening every entity involved in the business of health benefits, and share real life examples of clients who implemented forward thinking solutions… and those that didn’t.

Consulting Headlines – The Hottest Topics in Benefit Plan Administration

On July 13, 2017
Extra! Extra! Have you heard the news? Laws are changing, regulations are shifting, and benefit plans are scrambling to keep up.

A Network by any Other Name

On June 22, 2017
PPOs, EPOs, HMOs… The days of simple network categories is past. Today, innovative providers are offering up-front transparent pricing, subscription-based direct primary care (DPC), value based pricing, ACOs, medical tourism, international prescription plans, on-site clinics, telemedicine and direct contracting with “centers of excellence.”

Decisions, Decisions: Which Plan Types Work Best for Which Groups, and Why?

On May 16, 2017
Between a traditional PPO plan, a MEC or “skinny” plan, reference-based pricing, narrow network, cafeteria plan, or high-deductible health plan, who can choose? They all have their nuances, and which plan type is best for a given plan sponsor will depend on factors including risk tolerance, geographical location, employee base, and more.

The Double-Edged Sword of Discretion: How Even Great Plan Document Language Can Cause Gaps in Coverage

On April 27, 2017
Nearly all Plan Documents have some mention of discretionary authority. The ability to interpret the terms of the plan is necessary to receive deference from the courts, and is needed since not every conceivable scenario can be planned for within the plan document.

Medical Bill Blues: Pre-Payment Contracting and Negotiation, Pricing Alternatives, and Post-Payment Recovery of Overpayments

On March 23, 2017
It’s common knowledge that not every network contract adds real value, nor can medical providers always be relied upon to bill responsibly. As the fiduciary duty to be prudent with plan assets becomes increasingly relevant, it's important that self-funded health plans, and those who service them, not fall behind.

Top Miscues Employers Make When It Comes To Their Health Plans ... And What We All Can Do To Become Health Plan Heroes

On February 15, 2017
Employers who self-fund their health plan act as a traditional employer, a plan sponsor, and a plan administrator. Juggling this many roles, conflicts and contradictions are bound to happen. For instance, an employee handbook’s handling of disability leave may conflict with the health plan document as it relates to employment and plan coverage.

Back to The Self-Funding Future – Which Echoes of 2016 Will Continue to Impact Self-Funding in 2017

On January 19, 2017
The past decade has ushered in both outrage and opportunity for self-funded plans, and 2016 was no different. The characteristics of self-funded plans continued to alter in concert with new laws and regulations. While these bureaucratic efforts often hindered our ability to self-fund, for those daring enough to change with the times, we saw increased growth and prosperity. We will no doubt see these issues and opportunities continue to evolve in 2017, and only those that prepare will thrive.

2017 Phia Forecast

On December 13, 2016
2016 has been another huge year for self-funding, and a year of significant change for healthcare in general – and with the results of the recent presidential election, 2017 is slated to be an exciting year as well. 2016 has played host to all sorts of new federal regulations, state laws, market trends, and cost-containment options, and we expect 2017 to be even more unpredictable…but still great for self-funding.

The First 100 Days: President-elect Donald Trump, Healthcare, and Self-Funding

On November 21, 2016
The election is behind us, and no matter who you supported, it was one of the most divisive in recent history. Regarding the contentious topic of healthcare, President-elect Donald Trump has promised to repeal the Affordable Care Act and replace it with a better, more efficient system. The future of our industry is sure to change.

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly – Ethics: Simple Mistakes vs. Breach

On November 15, 2016
As the Department of Labor hones in on what is ethical (or unethical) and what constitutes fiduciary liability, plan administrators, third party administrators, brokers, and various advisors who service self-funded plans must make a renewed effort to ensure that their actions are in compliance with current legal and ethical standards. All self-funded entities must take steps to avoid actions that may be deemed unethical or in violation of their considerable responsibilities - and even when exercising good faith, it is still possible to act unethically.

How Low Can You Go? Managing Specialty Drugs, Reducing Overall Pharmacy Spend, and Unraveling the Mystery Behind PBMs

On October 27, 2016
Pharmacy Benefit Managers, or PBMs, are an important factor in the cost and value of self-funding - yet many TPAs, brokers, and plan sponsors feel it is impractical to even look into changing the status quo. Self-funded plans and those who service them, however, should be constantly on the lookout for effective alternatives to their current procedures - especially in this aggressive economic and legal climate.

Independent Consultation & Evaluation: ICE, ICE, Baby!

On September 22, 2016
Our industry is plagued by issues related to compliance, contracts, and cost-containment – and a myriad of other legal issues as well. Engaging an expert for a second set of eyes is a chore in itself, requiring approval from management or an individual group as well as a cost-benefit analysis of the expert’s fees – sometimes resulting in the decision not to consult a neutral third-party at all.