About Humaculture, Inc.
View all posts by Humaculture, Inc.
People Development: A Humaculture® Perspective Series
Please join us on the third Thursday of the month over the next six months for our upcoming People Development series. This series will focus on how to shape talent for success by “pruning the vines” as necessary. We will cover people development from the Humaculture® perspective.
In this webinar series, we explore ways organizations can rethink the traditional performance management and people development processes to make them more meaningful, impactful, and aligned with the organizational vision and strategy – focusing employees and leaders on what is truly important.
Successful horticulturists recognize the overwhelmingly positive impact of pruning. Pruning is the process of removing branches that:
- Are not supporting the desired shape of the plant the horticulturist seeks,
- Take energy from the plant without maximizing productivity,
- Shade or otherwise interfere with the productivity of the other branches.
Effective pruning allows the plant to focus its energies in the most effective and productive areas. People, like plants, often expend energy and time in areas that distract them from achieving their highest and greatest purpose and contributions. In any organization, it is important to help employees remove or overcome the impediments that hold them back, and focus on the areas and interests that will really help them achieve their goals, as well as the strategic priorities of the organization. This series highlights several ways organizations can be innovative and more effective than traditional “performance management.”
The topics for the upcoming series include:
| Performance Management: Walking the Garden | |
| June 16, 2022 – 12:00-12:30 CDT | The shift from Managing to Facilitating Growth |
| Shaping Talent for Success: Pruning the Vines | |
| August 18, 2022 – 12:00-12:30 CDT | Capabilities: Prune to Encourage Growth |
| Career Planning: Effective Pruning Bears Fruit | |
| November 17, 2022 – 12:00-12:30 CDT | Employee Development |
| February 16, 2023 – 12:00-12:30 CDT | Manager Development |
| April 20, 2023 – 12:00-12:30 CDT | Leadership Development |
To view our prior Strategic Compliance series on the Hidden Opportunities within the CAA and Transparency Rules, click here.
Available Support
We are available to support you in your strategy, design, compliance, financial, and monitoring needs. To that end, our team of consultants, including actuaries, clinicians, behavioral health, pharmacy, and legal resources are available to guide you through the compliance process. Please contact us.
Webinar Replay: Pest Management, Minimizing Plan Losses through Fee Disclosure
Watch a replay of the fifth webinar in Humaculture, Inc.’s Hidden Opportunities, Strategic Compliance Series, which focuses on how to use fee disclosure to leverage behavioral design, seek strategic advisors, and optimize plan efficiency.
Presenters
- Steve Cyboran, ASA, MAAA, FCA, CEBS, actuary and strategy consultant
- Wes Rogers, Humaculturist® and strategy consultant
- Jack Towarnicky, LLM, JD, MBA, CEBS, attorney, strategy and compliance consultant
Objective
Beyond basic compliance, this series addresses how to strategically leverage the No Surprises Act and Transparency in Coverage to create a competitive advantage for both the employer and employees. This session focuses on how leveraging Fee Disclosure as a means of “Pest Management” to leverage behavioral design to align interests with your advisors to take a strategic approach and identify conflicts of interest and inferior value in services provided.
Fee Disclosure Key Takeaways
During this session, participants will learn that:
- It seems Congress doesn’t believe group health plan fiduciaries are knowledgeable about fees
- This may be a first step to shine light on fee reasonableness, conflicts of interest
- While the plan fiduciary remains responsible, advisors are put on notice to disclose
- Mere compliance ignores the opportunity to cultivate the organizational soil
- Leveraging Fee Disclosure as a means of “Pest Management” can:
- Identify conflicts of interest and inferior value in services provided
- Avoid advisors who haven’t already fully disclosed their compensation
- Seek advisors who take a strategic approach, cultivate your organizational soil
- Employ behavioral design to align interests
Available Support
We are available to support you in your strategy, design, compliance, financial, and monitoring needs. To that end, our team of consultants, including actuaries, clinicians, behavioral health, pharmacy, and legal resources are available to guide you through the strategy and compliance process. Please contact us: [email protected].
Watch
Watch the Hidden Opportunities: Pest Management, Minimizing Plan Losses through Fee Disclosure Webinar Replay below, or via Rumble.
Hidden Opportunities: Pest Management, Minimizing Plan Losses through Fee Disclosure
Join us on Thursday, May 19 from 12:00 to 12:30 CST for the fifth webinar in Humaculture, Inc.’s Hidden Opportunities, Strategic Compliance Series, to learn how to use fee disclosure to leverage behavioral design, seek strategic advisors, and optimize plan efficiency.
Presenters
- Steve Cyboran, ASA, MAAA, FCA, CEBS, actuary and strategy consultant
- Wes Rogers, Humaculturist® and strategy consultant
- Jack Towarnicky, LLM, JD, MBA, CEBS, attorney, strategy and compliance consultant
Objective
Beyond basic compliance, this series addresses how to strategically leverage the No Surprises Act and Transparency in Coverage to create a competitive advantage for both the employer and employees. In this session we will include a focus on how leveraging Fee Disclosure as a means of “Pest Management” to leverage behavioral design to align interests with your advisors to take a strategic approach and identify conflicts of interest and inferior value in services provided.
Fee Disclosure Key Takeaways
During this session, participants will learn that:
- It seems Congress doesn’t believe group health plan fiduciaries are knowledgeable about fees
- This may be a first step to shine light on fee reasonableness and conflicts of interest
- While the plan fiduciary remains responsible, advisors are put on notice to disclose
- Mere compliance ignores the opportunity to cultivate the organizational soil
- Leveraging Fee Disclosure as a means of “Pest Management” can:
- Identify conflicts of interest and inferior value in services provided
- Avoid advisors who haven’t already fully disclosed their compensation
- Seek advisors who take a strategic approach, cultivate your organizational soil
- Employ behavioral design to align interests
Webinar Replay: Mental Health Parity…A Lucid Approach
Watch a replay of the fourth webinar in Humaculture, Inc.’s Hidden Opportunities, Strategic Compliance Series, which focuses on why mental health issues, costs, and administration continue to increase despite Mental Health Parity efforts and how to effectively respond.
Presenters
- Steve Cyboran, ASA, MAAA, FCA, CEBS, actuary and strategy consultant
- Wes Rogers, Humaculturist® and strategy consultant
- Jack Towarnicky, LLM, JD, MBA, CEBS, attorney, strategy and compliance consultant
Objective
Beyond basic compliance, this series addresses how to strategically leverage the No Surprises Act and Transparency in Coverage to create a competitive advantage for both the employer and employees. This session focuses on how investing in the organizational soil is “A Lucid Approach” and an example of a strategic action to build organizational resilience and mental fitness by leveraging the purpose, alignment, and health of the organization.
Mental Health Parity Key Takeaways
During this session, participants will learn:
- Mental Health Parity in health benefits has not reduced mental health issues
- In fact, mental health issues continue to increase despite efforts to equalize benefits
- Mere CAA compliance will increase costs and administration
- How investing in the soil is “A Lucid Approach” and an example of a strategic action to:
- Avoid what can be avoided
- Leverage the purpose, alignment, and health of the organization
- Build organizational resilience and mental fitness
- Communicate all negatives as the result of compliance
- Leverage behavioral design to achieve meaningful impact
Available Support
We are available to support you in your strategy, design, compliance, financial, and monitoring needs. To that end, our team of consultants, including actuaries, clinicians, behavioral health, pharmacy, and legal resources are available to guide you through the compliance process. Please contact us: [email protected].
Watch
Watch the Hidden Opportunities: Preserving the Harvest…Leveraging HSAs Webinar Replay below, or via Rumble.
Hidden Opportunities: Mental Health Parity…A Lucid Approach
Join us on Thursday, April 21 from 12:00 to 12:30 CST for the fourth webinar in Humaculture, Inc.’s Hidden Opportunities, Strategic Compliance Series, to learn why mental health issues, costs, and administration continue to increase despite Mental Health Parity efforts and how to effectively respond.
Presenters
- Steve Cyboran, ASA, MAAA, FCA, CEBS, actuary and strategy consultant
- Wes Rogers, Humaculturist® and strategy consultant
- Jack Towarnicky, LLM, JD, MBA, CEBS, attorney, strategy and compliance consultant
Objective
Beyond basic compliance, this series addresses how to strategically leverage the No Surprises Act and Transparency in Coverage to create a competitive advantage for both the employer and employees. In this session we will include a focus on how investing in the organizational soil is “A Lucid Approach” and an example of a strategic action to build organizational resilience and mental fitness by leveraging the purpose, alignment, and health of the organization.
Mental Health Parity Key Takeaways
During this session, participants will learn:
- Mental Health Parity in health benefits has not reduced mental health issues
- In fact, mental health issues continue to increase despite efforts to equalize benefits
- Mere CAA compliance will increase costs and administration
- How investing in the soil is “A Lucid Approach” and an example of a strategic action to:
- Avoid what can be avoided
- Leverage the purpose, alignment, and health of the organization
- Build organizational resilience and mental fitness
- Communicate all negatives as the result of compliance
- Leverage behavioral design to achieve meaningful impact
Webinar Replay: A “Dope” Response to Pharmacy Transparency
Watch a replay of the third webinar in Humaculture, Inc.’s Hidden Opportunities, Strategic Compliance Series, which focuses on why the new pharmacy transparency law will not increase transparency; will increase costs, administration, and litigation risk; and how to effectively respond.
Presenters
- Steve Cyboran, ASA, MAAA, FCA, CEBS, actuary and strategy consultant
- Wes Rogers, Humaculturist® and strategy consultant
- Jack Towarnicky, LLM, JD, MBA, CEBS, attorney, strategy and compliance consultant
- Scott McKibbin, strategy and pharmacy consultant
Objective
Beyond basic compliance, this series addresses how to strategically leverage the No Surprises Act to create a competitive financial advantage for both the plan sponsor and plan participants. This session focuses on leveraging Acquisition Cost Based Pharmacy Pricing as well as Behavioral Design and Messaging as an example of a strategic action organizations can take to optimize this compliance opportunity.
Pharmacy Transparency Key Takeaways
During this session, participants will learn:
- Transparency is a misnomer – New rules don’t provide transparency
- Pharmacy is likely to continue to be rather “opaque”
- The conundrum – mere compliance will likely increase costs, administration, and litigation risk
- How to use Acquisition Cost Based Pharmacy Pricing as well as Behavioral Design and Messaging as examples of strategic actions to:
- Avoid what can be avoided
- Provide true transparency with pharmacy benefits
- Empower consumers to make better, more clinically appropriate decisions
- Communicate all negatives as the result of compliance
- Inform/educate consumers (before they become patients)
Available Support
We are available to support you in your strategy, design, compliance, financial, and monitoring needs. To that end, our team of consultants, including actuaries, clinicians, behavioral health, pharmacy, and legal resources are available to guide you through the compliance process. Please contact us: [email protected].
Watch
Watch the Hidden Opportunities: Preserving the Harvest…Leveraging HSAs Webinar Replay below, or via Rumble.
Hidden Opportunities, A Strategic Compliance Series: A “Dope” Response to Pharmacy Transparency
You can now access a replay of this webinar here.
Join us on Thursday, March 17 from 12:00 to 12:30 CST for the third webinar in Humaculture, Inc.’s Hidden Opportunities, Strategic Compliance Series, to learn why the new pharmacy transparency law will not increase transparency; will increase costs, administration, and litigation risk; and how to effectively respond.
Presenters
- Steve Cyboran, ASA, MAAA, FCA, CEBS, actuary and strategy consultant
- Wes Rogers, Humaculturist® and strategy consultant
- Jack Towarnicky, LLM, JD, MBA, CEBS, attorney, strategy and compliance consultant
- Scott McKibbin, strategy and pharmacy consultant
Objective
Beyond basic compliance, this series addresses how to strategically leverage the No Surprises Act and Transparency in Coverage to create a competitive advantage for both the employer and employees. In this session we will include a focus on leveraging Acquisition Cost Based Pharmacy Pricing as well as Behavioral Design and Messaging as an example of a strategic action organizations can take to optimize this compliance opportunity.
Pharmacy Transparency Key Takeaways
During this session, participants will learn:
- Transparency is a misnomer – New rules don’t provide transparency
- Pharmacy is likely to continue to be rather “opaque”
- The conundrum – mere compliance will likely increase costs, administration, and litigation risk
- How to use Acquisition Cost Based Pharmacy Pricing as well as Behavioral Design and Messaging as examples of strategic actions to:
- Avoid what can be avoided
- Provide true transparency with pharmacy benefits
- Empower consumers to make better, more clinically appropriate decisions
- Communicate all negatives as the result of compliance
- Inform/educate consumers (before they become patients)
Webinar Replay: Preserving the Harvest…Leveraging HSAs
Watch a replay of the second webinar in Humaculture, Inc.’s Hidden Opportunities, Strategic Compliance Series, which focuses on Surpassing Mere Compliance and includes an example of leveraging Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) to use tax preferences to finance what can’t/shouldn’t be avoided, promote financial well-being, and make benefits more distinctive in talent attraction and retention.
Presenters
- Steve Cyboran, ASA, MAAA, FCA, CEBS, actuary and strategy consultant
- Wes Rogers, Humaculturist® and strategy consultant
- Jack Towarnicky, LLM, JD, MBA, CEBS, attorney, strategy and compliance consultant
- Kelley C. Long, CPA/PFS, CFP®, accountant, financial well-being planner, coach, and consultant
Objectives
Beyond basic compliance, this series addresses how to strategically leverage the No Surprises Act to create a competitive financial advantage for both the plan sponsor and plan participants. This session focuses on Surpassing Mere Compliance and includes Reference Based Pricing as an example of a strategic response to use tax preferences to “preserve the harvest” by financing tax effectively what can’t/shouldn’t be avoided with the No Surprises Act.
Leveraging HSAs Key Takeaways
During this session, participants will learn:
- Why the No Surprises Act is likely to be inflationary – increasing employer and employee costs
- How employees are financially fragile and aren’t prepared for out-of-pocket expenses
- Why Transparency Rules present opportunities to help employees become better consumers
- How to communicate all negatives as necessary due to compliance
- How HSA-eligible coverage with an HSA is one strategic action you can take to:
- Use tax preferences to finance what can’t/shouldn’t be avoided
- Use design levers to reduce plan and participant cost
- Create a distinctive design to attract and retain talent (self-selection)
Available Support
We are available to support you in your strategy, design, compliance, financial, and monitoring needs. To that end, our team of consultants, including actuaries, clinicians, behavioral health, pharmacy, and legal resources are available to guide you through the compliance process. Please contact us: [email protected].
Watch
Watch the Hidden Opportunities: Preserving the Harvest… Leveraging HSAs Webinar Replay below, or via Rumble.
Compliance Toolkit First Quarterly Update Released
The Compliance Toolkit first quarterly update was released on January 31, 2022 for changes since it was released on November 11, 2021. The Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA), No Surprises Act, and Transparency in Coverage Final Rule Compliance toolkit will next be updated on or around April 30, 2022 if there are any updates required.
Compliance Toolkit First Quarterly Update
The Compliance Toolkit first quarterly update addresses:
- The Independent Dispute Resolution section was updated to include a section for the Revenue Procedure 2022-11 which published the percentage adjustment for median contracted rates.
- The Pharmacy Benefit and Drug Cost Reporting section was updated to include a section reflecting the guidance contained in the November 23, 2021 Prescription Drug and Health Care Spending Interim Final Rules, implementing Section 204, Title II, another phase of the transparency provisions of the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) of 2021.
- The Direct and Indirect Compensation section was updated to reflect clarifying language and a section was added to address guidance contained in the Field Assistance Bulletin No. 2021-03 released by the Department of Labor (“DOL”) on December 30, 2021.
- Attachment 1: Compliance Tool – CAA and Transparency Financial Impact Analysis Tool was updated to reflect additional calculations.
- Attachment 9: Compliance Tool – MHPAEA Comparative and Fee Analysis Tool was updated to improve some of the functionality.
Compliance Toolkit Contents
To address the compliance needs of the industry, Humaculture, Inc. partnered with Attorneys Howard Lapin and Larry Grudzien to create a Compliance Toolkit to address all of the requirements in the new law and regulations. It contains over forty documents, including:
- A detailed explanation of the law and regulations;
- A compliance tool that highlights all of the required changes and what steps needed to be taken to comply;
- Sample provisions for plan documents, Summary Plan Descriptions, and administrative services agreements;
- All of the model notices that have to be provided to covered individuals;
- Sample notices that have to be provided to participants; and
- Sample disclosures and reports that have to be made to the governmental agencies.
There are over two hundred and eighty-five (285) pages of documents in this Compliance Toolkit. It has been specially designed for use by employers, insurers, brokers, and third-party administrator to help them effectively to comply with all of the requirements.
Webinar Reviewing the Compliance Toolkit
On December 14, 2021, we conducted a free webinar to review the Compliance Toolkit. We reviewed its contents and explained how it can be used to comply with the requirements. You can view the webinar here.
Hidden Opportunities, A Strategic Compliance Series
Humaculture, Inc. is conducting a strategic compliance webinar series on the third Thursday of the month over the first five months of 2022 focusing on harnessing the Hidden Opportunities in the No Surprises Act and Transparency in Coverage Final Rule. Our goal is to help organizations create a competitive advantage. Does it make sense to expend limited resources to merely comply with the law and regulations, or is there a way to strategically “design the compliance away” while strategically differentiating the employee value proposition?
Ordering
You can purchase the Compliance Toolkit for only $450 by responding to this email and we will invoice you for the purchase price. Contact us to order your own copy or to ask any questions.
Available Support
We are available to support you in your compliance and financial needs. This Compliance Toolkit, including Financial Analysis Tools will help facilitate self compliance. Our team of consultants, including actuaries, clinicians, behavioral health, pharmacy, and legal resources are also available to guide you through the compliance process, or we can take the lead. We would be happy to have a conversation regarding your needs and can customize a proposal for the level and type of support you may need. Please contact us.
Hidden Opportunities, A Strategic Compliance Series: Preserving the Harvest…Leveraging HSAs
This webinar can now be accessed from Here.
Join us on Thursday, February 17 from 12:00 to 12:30 CST for the second webinar in Humaculture, Inc.’s Hidden Opportunities, Strategic Compliance Series, which will focus on Surpassing Mere Compliance and include an example of leveraging Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) to use tax preferences to finance what can’t/shouldn’t be avoided, promote financial well-being, and make benefits more distinctive in talent attraction and retention.
Presenters
- Steve Cyboran, ASA, MAAA, FCA, CEBS, actuary and strategy consultant
- Wes Rogers, Humaculturist® and strategy consultant
- Jack Towarnicky, LLM, JD, MBA, CEBS, attorney, strategy and compliance consultant
- Kelley C. Long, CPA/PFS, CFP®, accountant, financial well-being planner, coach, and consultant
Objective
Beyond basic compliance, this series addresses how to strategically leverage the No Surprises Act and Transparency in Coverage to create a competitive advantage for both the employer and employees. In this session we will include a focus on leveraging HSAs as an example of a strategic response to use tax preferences to finance what can’t/shouldn’t be avoided with the No Surprises Act.
Leveraging HSAs Key Takeaways
During this session, participants will learn:
- Why the No Surprises Act is likely to be inflationary – increasing employer and employee costs
- How employees are financially fragile and aren’t prepared for out-of-pocket expenses
- Why Transparency Rules present opportunities to help employees become better consumers
- How to communicate all negatives as necessary due to compliance
- How HSA-eligible coverage with an HSA is one strategic action you can take to:
- Use tax preferences to finance what can’t/shouldn’t be avoided
- Use design levers to reduce plan and participant cost
- Create a distinctive design to attract and retain talent (self-selection)
