Event Details

Mercer, a global consulting leader in talent, health, retirement, and investments, helps clients around the world advance the health, wealth, and performance of their most vital asset – their people. The first part of the session will be an overview of legislative updates and requirements, the second portion will be a strategic discussion on modeling plans that make sense for your business and benchmarking.

Registration opens at 11:30.  Presentation and lunch 12:00 to 2:00.  Box lunch will be provided. 

Controlling benefit costs – What’s been successful?

Actual cost growth for employee benefits in 2014, and projected cost growth for 2015, remains moderate, but is up from 2013’s historic low.  And, many employers expect to spend more in 2015 as they extend coverage to all employees working 30 or more hours per week – this would be in addition to the increase in per-employee cost.

What explains employers’ success in holding down cost growth?  What are they planning for 2015? Join us as we share the results of Mercer’s National Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Plans, the largest and most comprehensive annual survey in the country, marking 29 years of measuring health trends. 

ESR reporting – Legislative Update - Are you ready?

The 2015 play-or-pay transition relief extended to employers with 50-99 FTEs does not apply to MEC reporting or ESR reporting. This means that all applicable large employers must begin reporting for 2015 coverage – even ones with fewer than 100 FTEs that are entitled to transition relief from ESR assessments for 2015.  Employers will gather data about employees and family members with coverage, as well as employees' full-time status and health coverage options.

The IRS will use the information to administer premium subsidies and employer and individual mandates.  With complex reports first due in early 2016, employers must gather data for the required reporting every month in 2015.  Mercer will show you the critical components and practical solutions for what is being called the “benefits W2”.  Join us and be ready!

Speakers

Craig Culbertson, Valarie Hartfield and Suzanne O’Neil are Principals with Mercer in the Spokane Office.  Mercer is valued advisor and leading broker with the experience and knowledge to work effectively with employers of all sizes.  We have the depth of resources to help navigate all PPACA requirements.  We help clients design affordable, customized benefit plans to assist with saving money, managing compliance, simplifying administration and empowering employees.