Letter from the President

By Todd Archer

Dear HCAA Member:

In my last communication, I implored everyone to take the time to contact their legislators to encourage them to reform the health care system of our great country; but, to do it in a manner that does not disrupt the system over 80 percent of Americans are happy with. To date our efforts have been met with mixed results; some positive, some less positive. With the passage of H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, our efforts must continue. There is still much work to be done to assure that real reform is enacted, but not at the expense of the majority of Americans. Continue to communicate with your legislators about the need to preserve the parts of the system that are working well for America.

Regardless of the outcome of the continuing health care debate, the one thing that is certain is our industry, and TPAs specifically, are going to be faced with more changes in how we serve our clients. Change evokes emotions that can range from despair to optimism and reactions that range from destructive to constructive. I am not advocating a defeatist attitude as it pertains to health care reform, only acknowledging that change is inevitable. Learning to deal with new "realities," however, always creates opportunities. The benchmark of the TPA community has always been our ability to adapt to and capitalize on these opportunities. How we respond to that change is what will separate those who thrive from those who don't.

As you review the continuing developments coming out of Washington, look for two important things: first, how can I influence any component of reform which is not beneficial to my clients; and, second what opportunities are emerging that could benefit my company. Attention to these two things will help us not only survive, but prosper. The HCAA Executive Forum at the Encore at Wynn Las Vegas on February 9 - 11, 2010, is entitled "Effective Leadership in a Time of Change." Plan on joining us as we explore the latest developments and the opportunities they create for our industry and for our individual companies as we make the most of the change that is at hand.

Respectfully,
Todd Archer
President

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Effective Leadership in a Time of Change 2010 Executive Forum
February 9-11, 2010

Join us February 9 - 11, 2010, for our annual Executive Forum. This year's theme, "Effective Leadership in a Time of Change", will feature sessions that will equip you will information and tactics to help you weather these challenging times. Topics include:

• Playing Big: Leading in Challenging Times
• Consultative Skills
• Perspectives on the Future
• CEO Panel: Navigating the Economic Downturn
• Strategic Thinking for a Competitive Advantage
• 2010 Health and Welfare Benefit Plan Compliance Update

To review the full schedule and to register for the conference, click here.

Hotel Reservations:
"Effective Leadership in a Time of Change" is February 9 - 11, 2010, at Encore at the Wynn Las Vegas. Book your hotel now and take advantage of the group rate. Rooms are available for $179 a night plus tax (single or double occupancy). Call 1-888-320-7125 to make your reservation. Refer to 2010 HCAA Executive Forum when making your reservations to get the group rate. Hotel reservation deadline is January 9, 2010.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Corporate Sponsors: A&G Healthcare Services; American Health Holding, Inc.; Benefit Informatics, Inc; ELDORADO Computing, Inc.; INETICO, Inc ; PMCS; RedCard Systems; Strategic Recovery Partnership, Inc.; TC3Health, Inc.; The Phia Group; WellDyneRx

Platinum Sponsors: Express Scripts; Evolution Benefits, Inc; Global Excel Management, Inc.; Healthation; Smart Data Solutions

General Session: CVS/Caremark

Lunch: HealthX, Inc.

Notepad/Pen: Star Line Group

Water Bottle: TC3Health, Inc.

Conference Bag: American Specialty Health

Name Badge: RESTAT

Flash Drive: PartnersRX

Program Binder: Health-e-Web, Inc.

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AAPPO: A Member Benefit for TPAs

HCAA is pleased to provide AAPPO membership to all of our TPA members. Our partnership with AAPPO has proven to be valuable for many of our TPA members through the increased access to education seminars, legislative activities and other members-only benefits available on the AAPPO Web site. For 2010, AAPPO has narrowed the focus of its core services. They hope the narrowed focus will more clearly demonstrate the significant benefits of membership. This focus includes:

• Federal advocacy and visibility to support the PPO HCR position
• Webinars, forums, education, and committee activity that support the business needs of members in areas of advocacy, collaboration and initiatives that support efficiency, wellness, and cost reduction
• Data/statistics specific to the PPO industry

For more information about AAPPO, visit www.aappo.org.

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2010 Benchmarking Survey - Coming Soon!

The 2010 Benchmarking survey will be coming to your mailbox and inbox in January! This important survey collects valuable data about TPA operations that will help you compare your expense ratios to those of other TPAs across the country. HCAA works with a third-party consultant, Industry Insights, to collect the data to ensure that all information remains confidential and secure. The compiled results will be made available to participating TPAs only. Additionally, as an added incentive this year, all TPAs who respond will receive a $50 discount on their registration fees for the TPA University in July 2010. Be sure to watch for more information coming soon.

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CSFS™ Designation Continues to Grow; Full Designations Attained

CSFS™ has gained strong momentum in the first 3 months of its release. Sixty-seven courses are either in progress or have been completed since July 15. Three people completed all seven courses to receive the CSFS™ designation. HCAA has looked at the state requirements for CE credit for the balance of the states for CSFS™ and is currently applying for CE credit in 18 additional states (including the District of Columbia). We are also in the process of finishing the additional 30 questions required for each class so we can file for credits in the remaining 21 states.

The International Federation of Employee Benefits Plans (IFEBP) has submitted a supplement to us on the Harker Publication. This supplement will be used to update the material in Course 6 so that it can be re-submitted to Oklahoma for credit. The goal is to have CE credit applied for and/or received for all seven courses of CSFS™, in all 50 states, by January 31, 2010.

All committee members are attending industry events, including SHRM, SPBA, SIIA, and are publicizing CSFS™. All our partner organizations have expressed a willingness to continue promoting CSFS™. We continue to reach out to other industry associations to collaborate with us to promote this certification.

For more information or to sign up for the CSFS™ courses, visit www.hcaa.org.

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Washington Nears Health Care Reform Decision

Health care reform continues to rage on in Washington. By the time you read this newsletter, we will know the fate of the House bill that was voted on Saturday, November 7. House leaders put in motion the machinery to hold a rare Saturday vote on the most far-reaching expansion of the health care system in more than 40 years. President Obama planed to visit Capitol Hill prior to Saturday's vote to address House Democrats in a final push for his signature domestic initiative.

On Wednesday, November 4 a bill that Republicans expect to offer as an alternative to the Democratic package received its assessment from congressional budget analysts, who concluded that the proposal would barely dent the ranks of the uninsured. The measure would cover 3 million additional people at a cost of $60 billion through 2019, according to an analysis by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The Democrats' bill, by comparison, would cover far more -- 36 million additional Americans -- at a much higher cost -- $1.055 trillion through 2019, the CBO said.

House Republicans are united in opposition to the majority's health bill. To pass the measure, Democrats need at least 218 votes from their 258-member caucus. House leaders said they were confident of reaching their goal in time for a Saturday debate on the most significant changes to the nation's health-care system since the creation of Medicare in 1965. They released 42 pages of amendments to the 1,990-page health package unveiled last week; a move that started the clock ticking on their pledge to make the legislation publicly available for 72 hours before lawmakers are asked to pass judgment.

Further amendments are likely after the House Rules Committee meets to determine the parameters of the floor debate. Lawmakers from both parties are expected to offer a series of adjustments, and Rules Committee Chairman Louise M. Slaughter (D-N.Y.) said she would accept at least one of them; a compromise designed to soothe the bitter divide over abortion that holds nearly 40 votes in the balance. The dispute centers on whether the package would, for the first time in more than 30 years, broadly permit federal funds to be spent on abortion. Under the House measure, insurance plans offered through federally subsidized exchanges could cover abortion services, but the insurance companies would be asked to segregate the subsidies from private premiums and co-pays using only the latter to cover the cost of abortion. The package also would create a government-run insurance plan, which would operate under similar rules.

Anti-abortion Democrats, led by Rep. Bart Stupak of Michigan, have criticized that approach as an accounting distinction, arguing that even private premiums paid to a public insurance program amount to federal funds. The compromise offered by Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-Ind.) would require federal health officials to hire a private contractor to handle payments to abortion providers, an idea that appeared to leave some anti-abortion lawmakers cold.

HCAA posts frequent updates on Health care reform on our Web site at www.hcaa.org. Be sure to check often for the most current information.

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AMA Creates New CPT Codes for H1N1 Influenza Immunizations

With both seasonal influenza and H1N1 circulating this flu season, the American Medical Association (AMA) announced it has expedited the publication of a new code specific to vaccine administration and revised existing code 90663 to include the H1N1 vaccine.

The new Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code issued by the AMA will streamline the reporting and reimbursement procedure for physicians and health care providers who are expected to administer nearly 200 million doses of the H1N1 vaccine in the United States. The codes will also help to efficiently report and track immunization and counseling services related to the H1N1 vaccine throughout the health care system.

In consultation with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the AMA CPT Editorial Panel created code 90470 to repot H1N1 immunization administration and counseling. Code 90663 was revised by the CPT Editorial Panel to refer specifically to the H1N1 vaccine product. Both, revised code 90663 and Category I CPT Code 90470 are effective immediately.

For quick reference, the two codes are:
90470 - H1N1 immunization administration (intramuscular, intranasal), including counseling when performed
90663 - Influenza virus vaccine, pandemic formulations, H1N1.

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Update Your Contact Information Today

As part of your membership with our organization, you now have the ability to log in to the database and update your contact information. By doing so, you will ensure that HCAA has all the correct information and can keep you well informed of everything from legislative updates, to webinars and upcoming events.

You will have the ability to update your name, title, billing, work and home addresses, e-mail and telephone. You will not have the ability to change any company information where you are employed. If you are the primary contact for your company, you will have the ability to select which fields your company can be searched under by members and non-members visiting the HCAA Web site.

To edit your information, simply log on to the HCAA Web site and click on the Member login link located on the right-hand side of the screen. You will then be transferred to the membership portal and be asked to enter your primary e-mail address and password. To obtain your password, contact rachel@hcaa.org.

Once you are logged-in, select "My Information" from the menu on the left-hand side of the page. You will then be transferred to your page containing all your contact information. To edit this information, select "Edit Information" located at the top of the page. To view your company's information, simply click on your company's name and you will be transferred to their information page. If you are the primary contact for the company, at the bottom of the page you will see a drop-down box where you will be able to select your company's demographics.

If you have any questions, please contact Sharon Noble at Sharon@hcaa.org or Rachel England at Rachel@hcaa.org.

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DELTA HEALTH SYSTEMS ANNOUNCES THE ACQUISITION OF P5, A LEADING UTAH TPA

Delta Health Systems announced it has acquired P5 Health Plan Solutions, a leading third-party administrator (TPA) headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The acquisition of P5 will provide Delta Health Systems an opportunity to increase its marketshare throughout the United States, positioning Delta as one of the largest independent TPAs in the West. Together, Delta Health Systems and P5 will work with their key constituents to best serve their respective clientele.

"We have been looking for new ways to expand our marketshare in the West and have respected P5 as a sound competitor throughout the years. Now, the combination of our two organizations allows us to apply the best in class for service and product offerings for our customers, consultants and membership in the self-funded community," said Tom Partlow, president of Delta Health Systems.

Camile Drew, VP sales & marketing for P5 Health Plan Solutions stated, "P5 Health Plan Solutions is excited about the new opportunities this sale will bring to our customers. In this increasingly competitive marketplace, our clientele will benefit from the purchasing power provided by a larger organization."

P5 will be operated as a wholly owned subsidiary of Delta Health Systems and will continue to service its clients out of its Salt Lake City office.

THE PHIA GROUP - BOSTON 2010 - A REVOLUTIONARY PASSION FOR SAVINGS



In honor of its 10th anniversary, The Phia Group, LLC will be hosting a dynamic forum at the historic Omni Parker House hotel in Boston, MA on June 10 and 11, 2010.

In keeping with the forum's theme, "A Revolutionary Passion for Savings," The Phia Group will present the latest cost containment strategies and services available to the health insurance industry today. All attendees will discover efficient and innovative ways to prosper in the ever-changing health care environment. The Phia Group will have leading industry experts discuss revolutionary cost savings techniques that plan administrators can implement immediately.

All registration information for The Phia Group Forum - Boston 2010 will be available soon on The Phia Group Web site, www.phiagroup.com.

To learn more about The Phia Group's innovative cost containment strategies, please visit www.phiagroup.com.

For questions relating to The Phia Group Forum - Boston 2010, contact Bethany Hoffman, marketing executive at The Phia Group, at
(781) 535-5608 or bhoffman@phiagroup.com.

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American Specialty Health
Dawn Garcia
777 Front Street
San Diego, CA 92101
P: (619) 557-2264
dawng@ashn.com
Type: Medical Management

Global Excel Management Inc.
Johnathan Clarke
PO Box 10
Beebe Plain, VT 05823
P: (819) 432-0705
F: (819) 566-8774
Johnathan.clarke@globalexcel.com
Type: Medical Management

Healthcare Alternatives, Inc.
Greg Hart
14523 Westlake Drive, Suite 20
Lake Oswego, OR 97035
P: (888) 742-5902
ghart@hcalternatives.com
Type: Medical Management

James G. Parker Insurance Associates
James Williams
220 Professional Drive, Suite 207
Roseville, CA 95661
P: (916) 677-5428
F: (916) 441-3503
chip@jgparker.com
Type: Broker/Agent

Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C.
Marc Davis
2301 Dupont Drive, Suite 200
Irvine, CA 92612
P: (949) 474-2020
F: (949) 441-3503
mddavis@cbiz.com
Type: Consultant/CPA

Shasta Administrative Services
Tyler Moore
PO Box 1747
Redmond, OR 97756
P: (541) 504-2704
tylerm@shastatpa.com
Type: TPA

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Looking for ways to get more involved in the association? Join a committee! HCAA's success depends on hard working volunteers who keep us moving forward and bring new ideas to the table. The following information highlights the committees that are currently accepting new members. If you are interested, e-mail jnolan@hcaa.org.

BENCHMARKING COMMITTEE
This committee is responsible for the implementation of the annual benchmarking survey. Duties include securing and working with selected vendor, reviewing and revising survey content, providing feedback for continuous improvement, and presenting results at TPA University.

EDUCATION COMMITTEE
This committee is responsible for the following:
i. Development and management of the Certified Self-Funding Specialist Certification (CSFS) program.
ii. Development of an Employer Education program to include HR, CE, CLE, CPA credits
iii. Application of Continuing Education credits for HCAA conferences iv. Development of additional education opportunities for members (e.g. webinars, etc.)

EXECUTIVE FORUM COMMITTEE
This committee is responsible for creating the theme of the conference, identifying topics and speakers, and approving presentation content before publishing. The committee will support HCAA staff as needed in planning of logistics.

GOVERNMENT & REGULATORY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
This committee is responsible for serving as a legislative watchdog for HCAA members, communicating legislative updates as needed to the membership. This committee shall also identify and recommend to the Board opportunities to support organizations that have legislative efforts which support our industry.

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
This committee is responsible for assisting with the recruitment and retention of HCAA members. Duties include evaluating member benefits, making recommendations for change and/or new benefits as opportunities arise, and establishing and implementing a membership campaign.

PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE
This committee is responsible for overseeing and making recommendations for change to the HCAA Web site and the newsletter. The committee is also responsible for the development and implementation of a plan to market HCAA and the TPA industry.

SPONSORSHIP COMMITTEE
This committee is responsible for evaluating the annual sponsorship campaign and making recommendations for benefits to the Board, as needed. This committee will also assist in finding and securing sponsors for annual corporate sponsorships and the individual conference sponsorships.

TPA UNIVERSITY COMMITTEE
This committee is responsible for creating the theme of the conference, identifying topics and speakers, and approving presentation content before publishing. The committee will support HCAA staff as needed in planning of logistics.

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2010 Executive Forum
February 9 - 11, 2010
Encore at the Wynn Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV 2010

TPA University
July 21 - 23, 2010
Westin Tabor Center
Denver, CO

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