Event Details

Pending HRCI & SHRM PDC 1.25 hrs

“COVID-19 Legislative Update and Potential Election Impacts to Health and Welfare Plans”

HR professionals planning for the 2021 plan year are presented with substantial challenges and changes to their health and welfare plans due to COVID-19. In this presentation, we will discuss key COVID-19-realted legislation and regulation and discuss in detail how both impacted health and welfare plan design and administration.

 Our focus will be on the Families First Coronavirus Act (FFCRA) and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and potential changes to the following: 

1.            Section 125 Cafeteria Plans

2.            FSAs, HRAs and DCAPs

3.            ERISA Deadline Extensions

4.            HIPAA Deadline Extension

5.            Eligibility Expansion – Furloughs and Reduction in Hours

6.            COBRA Deadline Extensions

Now more than ever, employers impacted by COVID-19 must make tough decisions regarding benefits budgets and design and how to communicate any changes to employees. We will present key considerations and concerns for HR professionals given the latest regulatory landscape and address a variety of questions regarding health and welfare plan compliance.

Speakers: 

Anne Hensley, JD ARM, Senior Vice President & Practice Leader, ERISA & Employee Benefit Compliance

Anne currently serves as Senior Vice-President and Practice Leader, ERISA & Employee Benefit Compliance for McGriff Insurance.  Anne has more than a decade of experience in the insurance industry, focusing mainly on ERISA and employee benefits compliance. She brings both law firm and corporate legal experience to her current role. Prior to coming to McGriff Insurance Services, Anne worked for a global employee benefits consulting firm as a Senior Associate, Compliance and Advisory Specialist and Contracts Manager, providing legal and compliance advice related to the health care, insurance and employee benefits industries.

In her current role with McGriff Insurance Services, Anne takes pride in providing employee benefits compliance services to the employee benefit producers and account teams of McGriff and their clients. The areas in which she provides compliance services include, but are not limited to the following: the Internal Revenue Code, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Anne regularly presents on employee benefits compliance topics to both McGriff Insurance Services associates as well as to external audiences. Anne is an active member of both The Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers (CIAB) and the National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU). Anne attended the University of Iowa where she obtained an undergraduate degree in Business Administration and she also attended Drake University, from which she obtained her Juris Doctor.

Christy W. Showalter JD, MBA, Senior Employee Benefits Compliance Officer

Christy joined McGriff in 2013 and partners with internal advisors as well as clients to assist in all areas of human resources, including regulatory compliance, policy development, training and benefits administration. Christy has over 25 years of progressive experience in human resources and employee benefits with both private and public employers. Her expertise includes compliance with federal and multi-state legislation such as the ACA, FLSA, FMLA, ADA, COBRA and ERISA.

Christy earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Memphis and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law, where she ranked first in her class.