Benefits Conference

Times listed in Central Time

8:30 - 8:40 a.m.

Welcome

8:40 - 9:25 a.m.
Session 1

Employee Benefit Compliance

When employers offer health and welfare benefits, they often do not know what compliance and legal obligations are involved. While offering benefits has many advantages, employers need to be aware of the risks of the different types of benefit plan administration and funding mechanisms. This session will provide an overview of the legal and fiduciary requirements related to providing health and welfare benefit plans, including federal tax and ERISA rules, plan document requirements, and reporting and disclosure obligations.

Presenters:

Erica Storm, von Briesen, Attorney

Kelly Noyes, von Briesen, Attorney

9:25 - 9:35 a.m.

Break

9:35 - 10:20 a.m.
Session 2

Health Plan Basics: A No-Nonsense Guide for Employers

Gain a practical, easy-to-understand overview of employer-sponsored health plans designed for HR professionals of any size organization. Attendees will gain clarity on core concepts such as fully insured, level-funded, and self-funded plans, along with key terms like deductibles, copays, and HSAs—explained in plain language. Presenters, Matt Boray, Director of Employee Benefits, and P.J. Anast, Employee Benefits Client Executive, will also feature actionable strategies employers can use to better manage costs while maintaining strong employee value. With a focus on education and making intimidating industry trends and topics approachable, this session equips participants with the knowledge and confidence to make more informed benefits decisions.

Presenters:

Martin Pepe, M3 Insurance, Client Executive

P.J. Anast, M3 Insurance, Employee Benefits Consultant

10:20 - 10:30 a.m.

Break

10:30 - 11:15 a.m.
Session 3

Misaligned Incentives in Healthcare - How Employers Can Regain Control

This session will focus on the key cost drivers and metrics to follow within a Health Insurance Program for employers. To understand the key metrics, Joey will provide background on the pharmacy supply chain and how to address misaligned incentives in this space. Once this landscape and key metrics are understood, solutions for navigating this complex market will be shared.

Presenter:

Joey Backus, Vice President, Employee Benefits, Cottingham & Butler

11:15 - 11:25 a.m.

Break

11:25 a.m. - 12:10 p.m.
Session 4

Wellness With Purpose: Innovative Benefit Models as Drivers of Culture, Values, and Cost Control

As healthcare costs rise and workforce expectations evolve, employers are rethinking how benefits can serve as both a business lever and a reflection of organizational culture and values. This session explores how HR leaders and executives are using wellness and preventative care strategies, mental health resources, EAPs, and innovative care models - including Direct Primary Care - as creative disruptors within their benefits programs. Attendees will also hear a brief overview of current dental and vision trends and how these benefits continue to support overall well-being strategies. The discussion will focus on designing programs that enhance employee experience while effectively managing costs, complexity, and administration considerations.

Presenter:

Laura Bermudo, Employee Benefits Consultant, Hausmann Group

12:10 - 12:20 p.m.

Break

12:20 - 1:05 p.m.
Session 5

From Uncertainty to Control: A Smarter Approach to Health Plan Strategy, Broker Partnerships, and Employee Engagement

Healthcare costs continue to rise, and many employers are looking for ways to reduce spending without shifting more costs to employees or cutting benefits. This session introduces a practical, year-round approach to benefits strategy that helps employers gain visibility, reduce unnecessary spend, and make more confident decisions. Attendees will learn what an effective broker partnership should look like, how to evaluate funding strategies such as fully insured, level-funded, and self-funded plans, and how to structure their plans to support better employee decisions. The goal is to provide HR leaders with a clear, actionable framework to reduce healthcare costs while improving the overall value of their benefits program.

Presenter:

Mike Kroupa, Benefits Advisor, Connor & Gallagher

1:05 - 1:15 p.m.

Closing Remarks

3.75 HRCI and SHRM credits applied for.

Sponsoring MRA events is a tremendous opportunity to bring your message of business value to our growing membership of organizations HR professionals and business leaders. Our members represent all industries including manufacturing, service, distribution, finance, and health care! 80% of event attendees are new at each event offering you the opportunity to network with new contacts. We are very excited about the event this year and hope you can join us! 

For more information on sponsorship, call Laura Kielbasa at 262.696.3346 or [email protected].

MRA is committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment for all event participants and MRA staff.

To ensure a comfortable learning environment for all event attendees, discussions should be focused on the meeting topic at hand. Expected behavior is outlined below:

• Exercise consideration and respect in your speech and actions.
• Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behavior and speech.
• Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants.
• Alert the online MRA moderator if you notice violations of these guidelines or have concerns about fellow participants. 

Participants violating these Guidelines will be asked to stop any inappropriate behavior and are expected to comply immediately. If the issue continues, MRA reserves the right to take any action deemed necessary and appropriate, including, but not limited to, removal of the participant from the public chat, from the event, and/or banning from all future events.

Conference registration cancellations with full refunds are accepted 3 business days prior to the event date, prior to the distribution of conference materials. Once conference materials have been shared, no refunds will be issued.

If you are unable to attend, you can transfer your registration to someone else at no cost. Please contact [email protected] with the name change. All recordings and resources will be provided to registered attendees post-event for on-demand viewing.