Employer Resource Institute Audio Conference

Originally presented on October 27, 2008
10:30 a.m. to Noon (Pacific)

Order Option       Price   CD Recording Only       $219

COBRA and Cal-COBRA are highly technical statutes that can give you a lot of grief. For starters, you've got only a short window of time to notify workers of their right to continued health insurance coverage, and you've got to figure out whether a given situation triggers the Act's protections. You know notification is necessary when a worker loses his or her job—but what about in the case of divorce, decreased work hours, or other life-changing events? Many employers become mired in sticky COBRA-related situations (and lawsuits) because they fail to respond appropriately. Don't become one of them.

Join us on Oct. 27 for an in-depth 90-minute audio conference all about the top administrative missteps employers make when it comes to COBRA/Cal-COBRA and, most importantly, how to avoid them. Our experts—two experienced employee benefit attorneys—will explain:

• The top misunderstood and misapplied COBRA and Cal-COBRA provisions
• How to determine whether an individual is eligible for an election notice
• Common missteps concerning severance agreements, workers' compensation, spousal rights and divorce, Medicare, and newly qualified beneficiaries, such as adoptive children
• Why some employers land in hot water because of how they approach their duty to provide general notice and how to avoid getting burned
• How to tackle issues arising from open enrollment rights

About Your Speakers:

Melanie K. Curtice, Esq., a principal at the Seattle office of law firm Stoel Rives, LLP, concentrates her practice primarily on health and welfare benefit plan matters and the tax, ERISA, HIPAA, and other compliance issues that arise in connection with such arrangements. Curtice works with public and private companies and governmental employers on drafting and establishing employee benefit plans for health, dental, life, disability, severance, fringe and other benefits, ensuring compliance with COBRA, ERISA, HIPAA, the Internal Revenue Code, and other applicable laws to minimize the risk of agency penalties and benefit claims by participants; analyzing and assisting in the establishment of policies and procedures to maintain compliance with COBRA, HIPAA, ERISA, and other applicable laws relating to health and welfare benefit plans; and conducting health and welfare plan audits. Admitted to practice in Washington, Curtice has spoken at numerous events concerning healthcare and employee benefit rights.

Timothy G. Verrall, Esq., is Of Counsel with the Northern Virginia office of Morrison & Foerster, LLP, where he advises a broad range of clients in the tax, labor, and securities aspects of employee benefit programs. Verrall has substantial experience dealing with issues arising under COBRA and HIPAA, including the HIPAA privacy, security, and transaction standards rules, and he advises clients on a wide variety of benefit plan issues arising under ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, and the Federal securities laws. Admitted to practice in California, Oklahoma, and Virginia, Verrall began his legal career as an attorney-advisor in the U.S. Department of Labor in Washington, D.C. He is a frequent speaker on employee benefits topics for industry organizations.

Approved for Recertification Credit

This program has been approved for 1.5 recertification credit hours toward PHR and SPHR recertification through the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI). This program constitutes California-specific HR-related continuing education activities for PHR-CA and SPHR-CA recertification. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit the HRCI homepage at www.hrci.org.

The Employer Resource Institute is an approved MCLE Multiple Activity Provider, and this program has been approved for 1.5 hours of MCLE credit by the State Bar of California. For more information, please contact our customer service department at (800) 695-7178.

Bonus Offer

As an additional benefit, you will receive a no-risk trial subscription to California Employer Advisor when you register for this Audio Conference (or purchase a CD recording). You will receive 3 evaluation issues. If you want to continue to receive the newsletter, simply pay the invoice you will receive in the mail. If you decide the newsletter isn't for you, just write cancel on the invoice and return it. You will owe nothing, and all issues you receive are yours to keep. As with all ERI products, your satisfaction is guaranteed 100%. (Offer good for new subscribers only.)

How Do Audio Conferences Work?

An Audio Conference is remarkably cost-effective and convenient. You participate from your office using a regular telephone. You have no travel costs and no out-of-office time.

Plus, for one low price you can get as many people in your office to participate as you can fit around a speakerphone.

Because the conference is live, you can ask the speakers questions' either on the phone or via e-mail.

With your registration, you also receive conference materials with additional practical information from Employer Resource Institute sent to you via e-mail shortly before the conference.

Why You Can Sign Up To Attend This Event with Confidence

As with all Employer Resource Institute products, you're completely protected. If for any reason you are unsatisfied with this Audio Conference, simply let us know and we will return your entire registration fee.