Benefits Executive Roundtable พอดคาสต์

In this episode, Host Dorothy Cociu shares more excerpts from ABC’s January 24th Lunch & Learn program. Dorothy Cociu and Marilyn Monahan of Monahan Law Office discuss benefit programs that attract and retain talent in all job tiers. In today’s market, top talent not only wants, but expects, a robust and innovative employee benefits program that wi…

In this episode, Host Dorothy Cociu shares excerpts from ABC’s January 24th Lunch & Learn program. One of the greatest challenges employers have in our post-pandemic world is recruiting talent and keeping them from moving on quickly to other employers. In this episode, Kathy Ruffino of Train Me Today and Marilyn Monahan of Monahan Law Office provid…

Host Dorothy Cociu shares excerpts from her Employment & Workplace Laws session from her January 24, 2023 Lunch & Learn this episode. Kathy Ruffino from Train Me Today and Marilyn Monahan from Monahan Law Office discuss the new employment and workplace laws in or going into effect in 2023, including The Fast Act, AB 1041 expansion of current family…

In this episode, host Dorothy Cociu interviews Faith Borges, Legislative Advocate, Dawn McFarlane, VP of Legislation and Sue Wakamoto-Lee, President, of the California Agents & Health Insurance Professionals (CAHIP), on the current legislative environment in Sacramento. We examine our state legislature, the November elections and political impact o…

In part two of this two-part series, host Dorothy Cociu continues her interview with Marcy Buckner, Senior VP of Government Affairs of NABIP. We discuss the CMS Proposed 2024 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters (NBPP), the ACA Employer Reporting Deadline permanent extension, the Transparency in Coverage (TiC) Guidance that clarifies Public Dis…

In this episode, host Dorothy Cociu interviews Marcy Buckner, Senior VP of Government Affairs of NABIP. They discuss the current state of affairs in Congress after the November, 2022 elections, the end of the year Omnibus Package, the Inflation Reduction Act, the ACA Family Glitch resolution, Medicare Marketing Final Rule and Proposed Rule, and the…

In this week’s episode, Host Dorothy Cociu interviews Mike Sigal, VP of Sales Development and Omar Arif, Senior VO of Growth from ClaimDOC, a Reference Based Pricing vendor. As we continue to examine cost containment in self-funded health plans, we take a look into ClaimDOC and how they differ from other vendors, the effectiveness of single case ag…

Host Dorothy Cociu discusses with Marilyn Monahan of Monahan Law Office all of the Employer Requirements for the Transparency in Coverage Machine Readable Files Disclosures and CAA Pharmacy Benefits Reporting Requirements for employers and their vendors. Whether you are fully insured or self-funded, there are a myriad of new requirements that have …

Host Dorothy Cociu interviews Kathy Ruffino, Vice President, Train Me Today, on Human Resources and California Legislative Updates for 2022-2023. We discuss AB 152 (COVID Supplemental Paid Sick Leave), AB 257 (The Fast Act), AB 1041, SB 1044, AB 1601, AB 1751, AB 1949 and more. We also discuss what employers are dealing with post-Dobbs, the Great R…

Post-COVID-19, employers are struggling to attract and retain employees, and employee benefits are one of the leading ways to sway prospective employees to your companies. In this week’s podcast, Host Dorothy Cociu interviews John Evangelista and Sarah Knapp from Colonial Life on the ways that Voluntary Benefits can enhance your new hire benefits p…

Host Dorothy Cociu interviews Maggie Stedt and Rosamaria Murrajo from the California Agents & Health Insurance Professional’s Medicare Committee on the Medicare updates needed for 2023 enrollments. We discuss the important things consumers need to know, the new rules that affect agents, and the Inflation Reduction Act’s Medicare provisions. In addi…

In Part 2 of our Two-Part Series on Cybersecurity during Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Host Dorothy Cociu interviews Adriana Mendieta, Cybersecurity and Cyber Liability Coverage Expert, on the current state of the Cyber World… whether it’s harmful hacks or ransomware, everyone is at risk for a cyber attack. Adriana shares her thoughts as a Databas…

In part 1 of this two part series, host Dorothy Cociu interviews Ted Mayeshiba and Ted Flittner of Aditi Group, an IT Technology, HITECH, Electronic Security and Cybersecurity firm on the current threats in electronic security, cybersecurity and the importance of risk assessments and training employees to protect your electronic data. We discuss th…

Host Dorothy Cociu interviews Dan Baker, Vice President, Sales and MaryAnn Wessel, Senior Account Manager of EBA&M Corporation, a Third-Party Administrator specializing in self-funded and level-funded health plans on the best practices for renewal and open enrollment, and strategies for making your upcoming renewal efficient and successful. We disc…

Host Dorothy Cociu interviews Ryan Work, Senior VP Government Relations and Chris Condeluci, Esquire, Washington Counsel for the Self Insurance Institute of America (SIIA), on the No Surprises Act Final Rules and how they impact health plans, including updates on the Federal Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR) Process, which finally opened in Apri…

Host Dorothy Cociu interviews Jeff Strong, Vice President, Sales, Sterling Administrators on health plan compliance, the good, the bad, and the scary! In this week’s episode, Jeff and Dorothy discuss ERISA disclosure requirements, the best tools for and preparing for audits, fiduciary liability, the Prudent Man Rule, Form 5500 filing and auditing, …

Host Dorothy Cociu continues her discussions on federal and state legal and regulatory updates with Marilyn Monahan. In part 2 of this 2-part series, we discuss the hottest two Supreme Court cases that were settled this past summer, including Dobbs v. Jackson Health (which overturned Roe v. Wade) and Marietta v Davita (which was a huge victory for …

S4 E1 - Host Dorothy Cociu interviews one of the Roundtable’s favorite guests, Marilyn Monahan of Monahan Law Office. In part 1 of this two -part series, we discuss Federal & California State Leave Laws and how they inter-relate, updates on the current and future employer requirements for the Transparency in Coverage (TiC) rules, including Machine …

Host Dorothy Cociu interviews two of her self-funded group health plan clients, Bill Struett of Heimark Distributing and Randy Sims of Tri-West, LTD, about their experiences with reference-based pricing. They discuss the positives and negatives, the opportunities for additional cost savings over PPO networks, and the administrative process. Was it …

In Part 2 of our 3 Part Series on Health Plan Financing & Cost Containment, Host Dorothy Cociu interviews Brad Gossen, President, and Dan Baker, Vice President, Sales, of EBA&M Corporation, a Third-Party Administrator specializing in self-funded health plans. In this post-COVID world, employers are trying to get back to what they do, and in order t…

Part 1 of a 3 Part Series on Health Care & Health Plan Financing & Cost Containment Host Dorothy Cociu interviews Bob Quaid, Senior Broker Representative for California Choice, a health plan option available for small groups (under 100 employees) in California, on how their 1990’s created Assembly Bill private exchange product has developed into an…

Host Dorothy Cociu interviews Elizabeth Holman, President of The Holman Group, which is a Managed Behavioral Healthcare Provider and Employee Assistance Program. We discuss the importance of providing assistance to employees in times of crisis, stress and anxiety, such as the COVID-19 era and beyond. What effects did the lack of normalcy, the econo…

Host Dorothy Cociu interviews Faith Borges, Legislative Advocate for the California Agents and Health Insurance Professionals (CAHIP) and Dawn McFarland, VP of Legislation for CAHIP, on the latest and most serious threat to our current health care system in California, with the recent single payer healthcare bill, AB-1400, and the companion Assembl…

Host Dorothy Cociu interviews Ted Flittner and Ted Mayeshiba, principals of Aditi Group, an IT services and consulting firm, on the importance of a Business Electronic Risk Assessment in today’s cyber world. We examine the applications of HIPAA and other privacy laws, plus the day-to-day business needs across all industries, in protecting business …

Host Dorothy Cociu interviews Marilyn Monahan of Monahan Law Office on the changes to the ACA Reporting forms and requirements for 2022 in a 2-Part Series. In Part 2, they discuss recent increasing activities with IRS 226-J letters and Marketplace Appeals, and how to best handle them, the penalties for 2022 (2021 forms), and state filing requiremen…

Host Dorothy Cociu interviews Marilyn Monahan of Monahan Law Office on the changes to the ACA Reporting forms and requirements for 2022 in a 2-Part Series. In Part 1, they will discuss the latest changes to ACA Reporting Forms 1094 and 1095; who needs to file, ALEs and full-time employment clarifications, affordability safe harbors, and all of the …

Early November saw the new OSHA guidance released on the federal Vaccine Mandate for employers with 100 or more employees, followed immediately by a rush of lawsuits, resulting in the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals issuing a temporary stop on the guidance going into effect. Where do we stand now? Should employers be preparing for this mandate? Hear t…

Host Dorothy Cociu discusses what’s new and what listeners should know about Medicare during the current Open Enrollment Period between October 15thand December 7th with Medicare experts Maggie Stedt, Immediate Past President of the California Association of Health Underwriters (CAHU) and Medicare Agent, and David Garcia, Medicare Specialist and CA…

Host Dorothy Cociu interviews Ryan Work, Vice President, Government Relations, and Chris Condeluci, Washington Legal Counsel for the Self-Insurance Institute of America, who share their insights and analysis on the new rules regarding the Independent Dispute Resolution process laid out in the No Surprises Act regulations, Part 2. We discuss the rea…

Host Dorothy Cociu interviews Ruth Tello-Di Leva, MS, BCBA, on the affects of COVID on kids with Autism. In Part 2 of our 2-part series for Mental Health Awareness Month, we discuss the way external factors, such as a pandemic, affect kids with autism. We dive into the stress, the anxiety, and the little things that make lives better during such un…

Host Dorothy Cociu interviews experts from Hines & Associates, a Utilization Management & Case Management firm, who discuss the negative impacts COVID has had on mental and behavioral health. Included in this discussion are Anna Hansen, Senior Vice President, Client Solutions & Retention, Suzanne Casel, RN, PMH-BC, Director of Behavioral Health & W…

Host Dorothy Cociu welcomes once again Marilyn Monahan of Monahan Law Office on Federal and State Legislative Updates for fall, 2021. Marilyn will discuss the ACA Transparency Rules, the CAA’s No Surprises Act & Transparency, and how grandfathered health plans are affected. In addition, she provides updates on ARPA COBRA Subsidies, FFCRA & ARPA wra…

In Part 2 of our 2-Part Series on Surprise Billing Legislation, host Dorothy Cociu interviews Ryan Day, President, and Collen Dempewolf, Director, Strategic Product Development, of HS Technologies, a Referenced Based Pricing Vendor, on the No Surprises Act’s impact on health plans. They discuss how plans without networks will be treated under the A…

Host Dorothy Cociu and special guest Marilyn Monahan, of Monahan Law office, discuss the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) interim final rule for the No Surprises Act, Part 1, as well as some ACA Transparency in Coverage rules that relate to the CAA. The No Surprises Act focuses on surprise billing for emergency services, as well as billing pra…

In Part 2 of this 2-Part Podcast, Host Dorothy Cociu continues her discussions with Ted Mayeshiba and Ted Flittner, Principals of Aditi Group, an IT Security/HIPAA Security/Cybersecurity firm, and Bruce Benton, a life and health and P&C agent, and Vice President, Public Affairs of the California Association of Health Underwriters on how to be bette…

In Part 1 of this 2-Part Podcast, host Dorothy Cociu interviews Ted Mayeshiba and Ted Flittner, Principals of Aditi Group, an IT Security / HIPAA Security / Cybersecurity firm about the importance of Cybersecurity and how employers can protect themselves. Bruce Benton, a life and health and P&C agent, and Vice President, Public Affairs of the Calif…

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) 2021 and Other Legislative Updates – Spring, 2021 – A Special Off-Season Release! Host Dorothy Cociu and Guest Marilyn Monahan of Monahan Law Office discuss the details of the $1.9 trillion relief package called the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) 2021, as well as the changes to the Outbreak Period, which threw t…

Host Dorothy Cociu interviews principals of Aditi Group, our Technology Partners, on cybersecurity in the workplace and home. Dorothy sits down with Ted Mayeshiba, Ted Flittner and Steve Saitman to discover what can be done to protect your business from cybersecurity threats, whether your employees are in the office or working remotely from home. W…

Dorothy and Marilyn discuss details of the new Transparency Rules for Employers and Health Plans; Cost Transparency for Hospitals; ACA IRS Reporting Forms 1094/1095 Reporting Updates (including California FTB requirements); Grandfathered Health Plans Final Rules; Other Federal Legislation; California Updates, including FSA Account Notices under AB …

In part one of a two-part podcast, host Dorothy Cociu and Marilyn Monahan of Monahan Law office discuss important updates for employer plan sponsors. In Part 1 - Dorothy and Marilyn will discuss What the Future May Hold in Washington; COVID-19 updates, including an important update on the Outbreak Period that applies to COBRA and other timeframe ex…

Host Dorothy Cociu interviews Jacquelyn Thorp, CEO and Founder of Train Me Today, a California-based Human Resources Consulting and HR Training Organization. Jackie discusses the complexity of COVID-19 workplace applications, policies and procedures, and how to get people back to work safely. We discuss the most important things CEOs and CFOs need …

In this last of our 3-part series on the non-benefits side of COVID-19, host Dorothy Cociu interviews Deena Piekarski, a Registered Nurse, who was hospitalized for her own emergency surgery in the fall of 2020. Listen to what it's really like in the hospital during COVID; the isolation, the fear, the emotional toll on the patients and their familie…

Host Dorothy Cociu continues her 3-part series on the real-world effects of COVID-19 on the community. In part 2 of this mini-series, she interviews Ruth Tello-Di-Leva, MS, BCBA, founder and president of Familias First, an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy provider in Los Angeles county. In this candid interview, they discuss the emotional im…

In part one of our 3-part series on the effects of COVID-19, host Dorothy Cociu interviews an elementary school teacher in Orange County, California to discuss how remote and hybrid learning is affecting teachers, students and parents. In an interview with Jennifer, a 5th grade teacher, we will hear first-hand what it was actually like during the s…

If you received a PPP loan, this podcast is a must-listen! Host Dorothy Cociu interviews tax accountant John Piekarski, who discusses the PPP loan forgiveness process, the application options, and what to have ready to apply for forgiveness. John provides helpful tips and clarifications about what forms to use in each situation, and reminders of wh…

Host Dorothy Cociu interviews Chris Brown, Director of Business Development of RX Benefits, a national prescription drug optimizing firm, who shares the best ways to keep costs down in your RX plan. They discuss how to design your RX plan, implement the best cost containment provisions in your contracts and how utilization management and data analy…

Host Dorothy Cociu interviews Ryan Dorigan, a Medicare and Senior Care expert, who will walk you through everything you need to know about enrolling in Medicare for the first time, what you can do during the annual open enrollment, types of plan options, the pitfalls you can face, and penalties that you could be hit with if you don't do it right. T…

Host Dorothy Cociu interviews Marcy Buckner, VP of Government Affairs of NAHU on the legislative successes in 2019, COVID-19 Legislative Updates, Trump Executive Orders, the Biden-Harris democratic ticket, and her thoughts on whether Harris' liberal views on healthcare will sway Biden's health care policy. This is Part 2 of a 2-Part podcast. This i…

Host Dorothy Cociu interviews Marcy Buckner, VP of Government Affairs of NAHU on the legislative successes in 2019, COVID-19 Legislative Updates, Trump Executive Orders, the Biden-Harris democratic ticket, and her thoughts on whether Harris' liberal views on healthcare will sway Biden's health care policy. This is Part 1 of a 2-Part podcast. This i…

This podcast examines Telemedicine from a provider's perspective and a vendor's perspective. Host Dorothy Cociu interviews Dr. Wendy Coling from Kaiser Health on the effectiveness of telehealth, how it affects the doctor-patient relationship, the ability to diagnose conditions virtually, patient response and technology concerns. We also discuss the…