The Outlook for Health Care: 2021 and Beyond

HC05  BONUS SESSION: Innovation in Health Care and the Role of Private Equity

Kathryn P. Brown, M.S., CEBS Co-Speaker
Principal, Leader, Center for Health Innovation
Mercer
Houston, TX

Timothy Laffey Co-Speaker
Principal
Mercer | M&A Transaction Services

Predicting “what’s next” in health care requires an understanding of its origins. That’s why we must understand the role of private equity and venture capital and their relationship to health care innovation. What opposing interests might exist? This session will follow the cash flow from inception to implementation and discuss potential impact on your plan. Topics explored will include:

• Culture and private equity influence
• Predatory acquisitions and creating monopolies.

Self-report this session for .5 credits toward CEBS Compliance. This session does not count toward a certificate of attendance.

HC01  Health Care Legislative Update

Elena Butkus Co-Speaker
Managing Director of Global Policy
Cigna
Washington, DC

Gary Kline Co-Speaker
Senior Principal - Federal Government Affairs
Cigna
Washington, DC

On the heels of the new administration’s first 100 days, this live Zoom session will look at the critical policy decisions and legislation affecting health care right now and in the future. Topics will include:

• Medicare
• The Affordable Care Act
• Lasting effects of COVID-19
• Drug pricing.

Self-report this session for 1 credit toward CEBS Compliance.

HC02  Plan Design Strategies to Address Social Determinants of Health

Alaina K. Melena Co-Speaker
Director - Health and Benefits Consulting
Willis Towers Watson
Minneapolis, MN

Taylor Rust Co-Speaker
Associate Director - Health & Benefits
Willis Towers Watson
Houston, TX

Social determinants of health are the conditions in which we live, work and play. This session will address how the pandemic, racial inequity and other factors intensify the impact of social determinants of health and what effect they have on employee health and productivity. Attendees of this live Zoom session will learn how to:

• Identify geographies, business units or employee cohorts with challenges through analytics
• Develop a strategy to address challenges using defined target outcomes
• Consider leadership/internal, vendor and community partner stakeholders.

Self-report this session for 1 credit toward CEBS Compliance.

HC03  Updates to Retiree Health Care

Marianne Steger, M.S., CEBS Speaker
Director of Public Sector and Labor Strategy
Willis Towers Watson
Hilliard, OH

Offering retiree health care poses unique challenges to funds. How do you find the most savings? And what solutions already exist to support smooth administration? This live Zoom session will cover:

• OPEB liability and solutions to improve it
• Medicare Advantage
• Retiree contributions
• HRAs to cover retirement costs.

 Self-report this session for 1 credit toward CEBS Compliance.

HC04  Fund Strategies for Vaccines

Jonah Houts Speaker
Vice President & General Manager, Network Contracting and Strategy
Express Scripts
Saint Louis, MO

The COVID-19 pandemic gave rise to an important conversation around vaccines, and the public has been more involved than ever in terms of assessing the need for and effectiveness of each one—especially those related to COVID-19. How are funds handling this discourse in the context of their plans? This live Zoom session will discuss the following:

• State-level opt-outs
• Vaccine coverage and communication
• Plan sponsor’s role in distribution
• Payment and fund strategy.

 Self-report this session for 1 credit toward CEBS Compliance.