1. IMPUTE THIS! The Continuing Saga of Imputed Income for Non-Spouse/Dependent Health Plan Beneficiaries (1 MA CE pending)
(1 MA CE Approved C03648)
Overview: For brokers, human resource personnel and employers: determining whether/when a “Dependent” is eligible for health coverage under the employer’s health plan; what is considered “dependent” under Federal tax code for the exclusion of employer paid health coverage; tax issues related to health coverage for same-sex spouses, children, and ex-spouses under Mass Law ( and other New England states) – fringe benefits and how it is considered “imputed income” and subject to income and FICA taxes. Examples and analysis of imputed income will be provided and examples of FMV of coverage and Mass Income Tax exclusions will be identified.

Presenter: Richard A. Szczebak has more than 20 years of experience as an ERISA benefits lawyer and consultant. He is Of Counsel to Parker Brown & Macaulay, P.C., where he focuses on the design, administration and taxation of group health and welfare benefit plans. Since January 2007 Rick has also been a special contract advisor to the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority with respect to Section 125 cafeteria plans, commercial insurance and group health plan issues.  Rick has spoken at numerous sessions around the state, including some sponsored by the New England Employee Benefits Council, Associated Industries of Massachusetts, Boston Bar Association and the Health Connector. He is a major contributor to the last rewrite of the BNA Tax Management Portfolio on Code Section 125 Cafeteria Plans.  He received his JD from Marquette University Law School and BA from the UMass Amherst

2. Seven Elements of a Successful Worksite Wellness program
(1 MA CE Approved C03648)
Overview: Debra Wein will present the how to’s of designing a Corporate Wellness Program that inspires employees to make simple and positive changes in their lives and improve their health while working to lower healthcare costs for companies. This seminar will review the Seven Elements necessary when establishing a successful Worksite Wellness program as well as review the different types of wellness programs available with a focus on ROI.
Attendees will learn:

• What constitutes wellness?
• Growing costs of an unhealthy work force
• Three working models of worksite wellness
• Understanding ROI in relation to worksite wellness programs
• The 7 elements necessary to develop a successful worksite wellness program
• How to maximize already existing wellness resources

Presenter: Debra Wein is an internationally recognized expert on health and wellness and has designed award winning programs for both individuals and corporations around the world. Debra is the president and co-founder of Sensible Nutrition, Inc. (www.sensiblenutrition.com), a consulting firm of RD’s and personal trainers, established in 1994, that provides nutrition and wellness services to individuals. In addition, Debra is the president and founder of partner company, Wellness Workdays, Inc., a leading provider of corporate wellness programs. Debra has nearly 20 years of experience working in the health and wellness industry.

Take Five/Make Five:  Get set to grab a cup of coffee and do some fast networking… The “Take Five / Make Five” networking program pairs you up with other vendors, exhibitors and colleagues in the industry for five minutes. Sit down and talk about the industry, the weather, sports or politics – whatever you want, but make it quick.  At the end of each five minute session you’ll exchange cards and then we’ll pair you up with someone else… for the next five minutes.  It’s fun, it’s fast, and it’s a great way to network in a no pressure atmosphere!

1. The Acquisition Marketplace and the Value of Your Business
(1 MA CE Approved C03581)
Overview: How do you build value in an uncertain future? This presentation helps you explore key value factors, and important rules to consider if you are selling or are in the process of selling your agency. Do you understand the market conditions and who is buying? What are the factors working against Sellers today - the factors  that are not in your control - even if you are not selling in the near future.  In these economically difficult times with continued changes in the marketplace - and on the national health care scene - you need to understand and define your business for your future and be aware of the influences.

Presenter: Patrick O'Keefe, VP, Mergers & Acquisitions/Northeast/Digital Insurance, Inc. uses his 17 years of experience and relationships in the insurance and financial services industries to drive planning solutions for independent agents and agencies focused on the small group marketplace. O’Keefe is able to provide insight into the status of the M&A market at the smaller end of the spectrum as well as what brokers need to be doing to position themselves for a successful exit. Most recently O’Keefe was the national practice leader of UnitedHealth Group’s Private Equity Group, as well as vice president of the Aggregated Employer Group. 

LUNCHEON with Guest Speaker

Bryan Dodge on Leadership featuring:
The Good Life Rules - 8 Keys to being Your Best at Work and Play

Sponsored by Fallon Community Health Plan

1. Individual Disability Income Insurance: Contract & Product (IDI/PROD)
(1 MA CE approved)
Brief Overview: Your clients are healthy and working - hard to imagine illness or injury, but - what would happen if paychecks suddenly stopped because they were too sick or injured to work?
Attendees will:
Explore the evolution and market forces influencing disability insurance?
What makes one contract better than another?
How long does it take to issue a disability income policy?
Discuss examples of specific plan design changes that will add value for both Employers and Consumers - providing supporting research, standards of care, market demands and/or industry trends.

Presenter: Eric Bach, Regional Account Executive - Disability Income. Eric has been an esteemed member of the insurance field for the past seven years and has a broad range of experience including group and individual disability markets with a focus on executive benefit planning.

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2. Is Your Company Ready for the New Data-Breach Regulations?
(1 MA CE Approved C03579)
Overview: In September 2008, Massachusetts issued the strictest data-breach regulations in the country. Employers now have until January 1, 2010 to comply with requirements that go beyond established federal standards.  The Massachusetts data-breach law affects individuals, corporations, associations, and partnerships, and may require significant operational and technological changes for those entities having custody of personal information, including employer records and customer data.  Learn how this will affect your business and even your relationships with your clients.

Presenter: Lynda Slevoski, Associated Industries of Massachusetts serves as vicepresident of the AIM Employer's Resource Group, which provides human resources, training and information services to member companies. Ms. Slevoski is responsible for managing the part-time human resources staff and the administrative functions of the Employer’s Resource Group. In addition to her involvement in the development and presentation of AIM’s public and on - site training programs, Ms. Slevoski is frequently called upon to provide on-site internal investigation services. She has helped hundreds of employers who have called the AIM "Hotline" with a variety of real - life problems, including discipline and termination, sexual harassment and other types of discrimination, drug and alcohol abuse, family and medical leave, employee relations, workplace violence, and a wide variety of general human resource issues.