Welfare Plan Changes for 2010: HIPAA, CHIP, GINA, MHPA and more...	Back to entire listing
	Many of the recent legislative enactments do not become fully effective until 2010. These include expanded HIPAA privacy and security requirements, the renewed Mental Health Parity Act, Michelle's Law, the Genetic Information and Nondiscrimination Act ("GINA"), and several of the notification obligations under the expanded Children's Health Insurance Program("CHIP"). As we near the annual enrollment period for 2010, we'll address several of these new requirements. Some will need to be communicated to employees as a part of the annual enrollment process, while others will require plan amendments, coordination with vendors, and/or adoption of new internal procedures.
	Presenters:
	Julia M. Vander Weele, Partner - Spencer Fane Britt & Browne LLP Julia Vander Weele, a partner with Spencer Fane, practices in the firm's Employee Benefits Group. She is also a member of the ERISA Litigation Group. Prior to joining Spencer Fane, Julia worked as in-house counsel for Fortis Benefits Insurance Company, where she managed ERISA litigation and advised senior management on other ERISA issues related to group disability, life, and dental products. She was also a Judicial Law Clerk for the 7th Judicial District of Iowa. Julia's practice focuses on ERISA and other laws governing employee benefits, including matters affecting pension, profit sharing, 401(k), cafeteria plans, and welfare plans. She has had significant experience providing employer training on HIPAA and ERISA issues, and has had substantial involvement in matters dealing with retiree health coverage and bankruptcy..
	Robert A. Browning, Partner - Spencer Fane Britt & Browne LLP Robert joined Spencer Fane in January 2008 as a Partner in the Employee Benefits Group. Robert received his juris doctor at the University of Houston Law Center where he was Associate Editor of the Houston Law Review and a member of the Order of the Coif and Order of the Barons. Prior to joining Spencer Fane, Robert was a Shareholder in the Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Group at Polsinelli Shalton Flanigan Suelthaus PC in Kansas City, Missouri. Prior to 1999, Robert was Senior Counsel in the Law Division of The Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company (VALIC) in Houston, Texas. He began his legal career in 1990 with the law firm of Liddell, Sapp, Zively, Hill & LaBoon in Houston, Texas.