At The Podium

Speaking at a webinar sponsored by the SouthWest Benefits Association titled “Direct Contracts, Bundles & Referenced-Based Pricing: The Good, Bad, and the Ugly,” McAfee & Taft employee benefits attorneys Brandon Long and Bill Freudenrich discuss reference-based pricing, explain why a number of insurers have switched to a cost-based methodology based on Medicare rates to determine out-of-network prevailing charges, and review the pros and cons of using Medicare-based rates.  The presentation also takes a look at the growing trend of direct contracting and bundled payment programs, the pros and cons of such programs, and the factors plan sponsors should take into consideration when reviewing their healthcare provider and benefit options.

The SouthWest Benefits Association is the region’s premier organization for benefits professionals. Members represent a wide range of specialties, including corporate human resources, benefit plan administration, financial management, investment counseling, trust administration, law, accounting, actuarial, health insurance, and pension and welfare consulting. Through an annual schedule of professional educational conferences and seminars, SWBA provides discussion of a wide range of issues confronting benefit professionals.