RIMA Health Care Summit to update employers on ACA changes

PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Manufacturers Association’s inaugural Health Care Summit, at the Providence Marriott on Thursday, Sept. 14, will update employers on Affordable Care Act changes and introduce them to Dr. Marie L. Ganim, the state’s new health insurance commissioner.

Dave Chenevert, RIMA executive director, said RIMA provides workshops four times a year to educate and advise members on current issues.

The two top expenditures for manufacturers are health care and energy, Chenevert said. RIMA did “Marijuana in the Workplace” for the first quarter, and energy during the second quarter. Now, he said, they’re tackling health care.

Gov. Gina M. Raimondo appointed Ganim as health insurance commissioner in June. Ganim was a policy director for U.S. Congressman Robert Weygand and a health policy specialist in the R.I. House of Representatives.

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The Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner is the first R.I. agency dedicated solely to health insurance oversight. The commissioner guards insurer solvency, protects consumer interests and encourages policies that improve the quality and efficiency of health care services.

RIMA serves as the unified voice of Rhode Island’s 1,600 manufacturers, advocating at the federal, state and local level for policies that strengthen manufacturing.

“RIMA members have expressed confusion around ACA compliance and reporting requirements,” Chenevert said.

Members are also uncertain if there will be additional changes in 2018, and need information about coverage eligibility and changes to Health Reimbursement Arrangement and Health Savings Account rules, he said.

“In addition, our members struggle with certification in large- or small-group market (small-group compliance is much different – who should be where), affordability standards, carriers and 2018 plan design changes and options,” Chenevert said.

Topics at the summit will include the latest ACA updates, health plans, designing a benefits package to attract and retain talent, and options to control health care costs (consumer-driven health care).

The summit is the first RIMA has hosted focusing on health care. The event will feature an executive panel with leadership from the state’s largest insurers, HealthSource RI and Ganim. Chenevert said he expects 100-150 attendees.

The free event, held at the Providence Mariott, 1 Orms St., Providence, requires attendees to register in advance before Sept. 12.

Rob Borkowski is a PBN staff writer. Email him at Borkowski@PBN.com