Chair: Greta E. Cowart, Haynes and Boone LLP, Dallas, TX
10:30am Health Plan Update. A discussion of recent developments relating to health plans, with a focus on developments at the state level, including recent state health insurance reform initiatives such as those in Massachusetts and Maryland, and state regulation of the small employer insurance market, association health plans, purchasing networks, and MEWAs. Moderator: Kurt L.P. Lawson, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, Washington, DC. Panelists: Kevin Knopf, Attorney-Advisor, Office of Benefits Tax Counsel, Department of Treasury, Washington, DC; Alden Bianchi, Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky and Popeo PC, Boston, MA; Dan Brandenburg, Sanders Schnabel & Brandenburg PC, Washington, DC; Peg Brown, Deputy Commissioner of Consumer Affairs, Colorado Division of Insurance, Denver, CO; Peter Kelly, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, Chicago, IL.
12:30PM – 2:30PM
Chair: Greta E. Cowart, Haynes and Boone LLP, Dallas, TX
12:30pm Ethical Dilemmas in the Employee Benefits Practice. The program will discuss ethical issues facing employee benefits paractitioners after SOX, 409A, TIPRA''s excise tax on engaging in prohibited tax shelter transactions, and privilege issues. How to report up, but not out. Does my engagement letter adequately describe who is my client and the scope of representation? A discussion of pitfalls to avoid in applying the ethical rules in benefits representation. Moderator: Greta E. Cowart, Haynes and Boon LLP, Dallas, TX. Panelists: Bruce D. Pingree, Baker Botts LLP, Dallas, TX; Robert Toth, Lincoln Financial Group, Fort Wayne, IN; Andrew Oringer, Clifford Chance US LLP, New York, NY.
1:30pm Hot Topics in Qualified Plans. The program will discuss recently issued qualified plan and related guidance, including the recent update of the Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System (Rev. Proc. 2006-27) and the final 415 and 403(b) regulations (if issued). Moderator: David Mustone, Hunton & Williams LLP, McLean, VA. Panelists: W. Thomas Reeder, Acting Benefits Tax Counsel, Department of Treasury, Washington, DC; Alan Tawshunsky, Assistant Chief Counsel (Employee Benefits), TE/GE, IRS, Washington, DC; Joseph H. Grant, Director, EP Rulings and Agreements, IRS, Washington, DC.
