https://advancedbenefitconsulting.com/sS7e10-washington-updates-healthcare-insurance-and-self-insurance-industry

In this week’s podcast, Host Dorothy Cociu welcomes back Chris Condeluci, ERISA Attorney and Washington Counsel and Anthony Murrello, Government Relations Manager for the Self Insurance Institute of America, to continue their discussions from Episode 5, when the Government Shutdown delayed expected activity in Washington. After a whirlwind of Congressional & The Departments’ Regulatory activity since December, they report on the Patients Deserve Price Tags Act, DOL Compensation Disclosure Regs, the 2026 Clarifications to ERISA 408(b)(2)(B), the CAA 2026: PBM Transparency and Surprise Billing updates.

Join us for this highly informative update as we close out Season 7!

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https://advancedbenefitconsulting.com/s7e9-understanding-merps-can-they-be-effective-cost-containment-tools-in-health-plans

In this week’s podcast, Host Dorothy Cociu discusses the use of Medical Expense Reimbursement Plans (MERPs), a specific type of HRA, to control costs in health plans with Craig Lack, President, and Sean Casey, Chief Legal Officer of Catilize Health, a TPA specializing in MERP administration. We discuss what they are, how and when they can be used, plan customization, governance, and more. We also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of offering a MERP, and the legal documentation required.

Join us for this informative podcast!

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https://advancedbenefitconsulting.com/s7e8-ai-security-user-liability-and-safety-best-practices

In this week’s episode of the Benefits Executive Roundtable, Host Dorothy Cociu discusses AI Security, User Liability and Best Practices to Use AI Safely with guests Adriana Mendieta, Cyber Liability Agent and Avid AI Agile User, Eric Barricklow, a Chief Information Security Officer and owner of Stellar Cyber Solutions, and Miguel Villegas, Founder of iSecure Privacy, a Consultant who brings deep expertise in AI security, governance, and risk assessment to TPAs and health insurance industry organizations.

In today’s podcast, we discuss the most common uses of AI today, the risks of using AI, how AI is changing the landscape of cybersecurity, and the differences between AI leaders like Microsoft Co-Pilot, ChatGPT and Google Gemini, and where/how they work best. We also discuss privacy laws and how they apply to Artificial Intelligence, and Best Practices when using AI in your organization. 

Join us for this highly informative podcast!

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https://advancedbenefitconsulting.com/s7e7-last-minute-tips-to-successful-compliant-open-enrollment

In this week’s podcast, host Dorothy Cociu talks last minute tips & tricks to wrap up these last weeks of the 4th quarter open enrollment period with Marilyn Monahan of Monahan Law Office and Anne Kelly from Patrick & Patrick Insurance Services. We discuss how to stay organized, the key market impacts and compliance reminders during this very stressful time. What are the most commonly asked compliance questions? How has the One Big Beautiful Bill changed the way we look at open enrollment, and how may it effect group health plan enrollment? Join us for this informative podcast!

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In this week’s podcast, host Dorothy Cociu discusses Medicare Updates for Fall, 2025 with Maggie Stedt, Stedt Insurance, a Medicare Expert & Medicare Advisor/Task Force Emeritus Member for the National Association of Benefits & Insurance Professionals. We discuss the new rules for agents selling Medicare Plans, and why Medicare recipients should be aware of them, as well as the options available related to the types of coverage those recipients will receive in 2026. We also discuss what Seniors need to know as far as plan changes and options, as well as legislative and regulatory changes everyone involved with or on Medicare should know. Join us for this highly informative podcast!

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BER S7E6 Show Notes

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In this episode, Host Dorothy Cociu discussed the hottest topics in the self-insured health industry with Chris Condeluci, ERISA Attorney and Washington Legal Counsel for the Self Insurance Institute of America (SIIA), and Anthony Murrello, SIIA’s Government Relations Manager. We discuss the latest on Price Transparency, Compensation Disclosure and Data Sharing, Fiduciary Duties and lawsuits against plan sponsors, and the latest in the Surprise Billing/No Surprises Act federal IDR portal, including a discussion on how and why providers are flooding the system with thousands of disputes, many of which are not even eligible for the Federal IDR process. Join us for this very informative podcast!

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Show Notes – SIIA_Membership_Application_2025_FINAL

Show Notes BER S7 E5

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https://advancedbenefitconsulting.com/s7e4-can-ai-claims-auditing-save-plans-money-and-increase-claim-accuracy

In this week’s podcast, host Dorothy Cociu interviews Angel Onuoha, co-owner and CEO of Avelis Health, an innovative AI-driven Claims Auditing Firm. We discuss how AI can assist TPAs in their auditing of claims quickly and efficiently, and can review every single claim for billing errors, without disrupting claims or plan set-up. Specifically, we discuss how they can assist with provider overcharges, recoveries and appeals, often with no up-front costs. We also discuss data security when using such an AI system, as well as HIPAA compliance when using AI. Join us for this very informative podcast!

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S7E4 Show Notes

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In this week’s podcast, host Dorothy Cociu is excited to bring you important cyber security updates from Matt Fields, a Principal Cyber Security Consultant from Microsoft. We discuss what consumers and businesses can do to protect themselves from cyber risks, including internal and external threats, and the importance of comprehensive and ongoing risk analyses/risk assessments. We also talk about the sophistication of today’s cyber criminals, Advanced Persistent Threat groups, many coming from China, North Korea or Russia, and of course today’s greatest Artificial Intelligence threats. Lastly, we discuss the best ways overall to manage cyber security. Join us for this very important and informative podcast!

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Show Notes S7 E3

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In this week’s podcast, host Dorothy Cociu discusses with Steve McClung, CEO of Hines & Associates a new, and some would say much needed, way for self-funded health plans using reference-based pricing to better manage their risks of lawsuits and serious provider push-back. Offered in their new product Opus One, Hines executes agreements with providers before a service or facility stay actually happens. They combine their pre-certification process with the provider agreement activity, which lessens the risk of a legal batter after the service has been performed. Within the product, they also offer individualized human concierge service, as well as complete UM and case management services. Join us for this very informative podcast!

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Show Notes Hines 2025 Core Products

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https://advancedbenefitconsulting.com/s7e1-one-big-beautiful-bill

In this podcast, we will discuss the provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that apply to employer sponsored health plans and individuals covered by them, including Telehealth provisions, HSA Reimbursement for Primary Care, Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account increases, and employer-provided educational assistance. We also discuss the OBBB changes to the Medicaid Program and the ACA Marketplaces. In addition, we cover HR/employment law changes including No Tax on Tips or Overtime, family and medical leave tax credits, the creation of Trump Accounts, new deductions for seniors and more. Join us for this very informative podcast!

Show Notes

Show Notes – IRS Tipped-Occupations-Detailed-8-27-2025

One Big Beautiful Bill Act article ABC Version

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