Welfare Benefits
Plan Issues

Health and welfare plan compliance means navigating ACA employer mandates, HIPAA privacy rules, COBRA administration, and the alphabet soup of regulations that apply to your plans. In 1.5 days, you'll master the compliance requirements that keep your organization protected. Real strategies from practicing benefits attorneys.

Delivery Options:
In Person
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46+ YEARS
Employment Law Training
|
80,000+
Certificates Earned
|
PRACTICING ATTORNEYS
Not Academics

Master Health & Welfare Compliance That Protects Your Organization

Welfare Benefits Plan Issues is 1.5 intensive days where you'll master ACA employer mandates, HIPAA privacy rules, COBRA administration, and consumer-driven health plan compliance—working through real scenarios with experienced benefits attorneys, not checklists and theory.

What Sets This Program Apart

  • Complete welfare plan framework – ERISA reporting, claims procedures, plan funding rules, and fiduciary obligations for welfare plans
  • Healthcare reform mastery – ACA employer mandate, affordability calculations, Forms 1094/1095, and compliance deadlines
  • Consumer-driven health plans – HSAs, HRAs, FSAs, and the compliance rules that trip up most administrators
  • Professional certification – Earn your certificate plus 10.25 SHRM/HRCI/CLE continuing education credits
  • Benefits beyond the classroom – Your investment includes quarterly legal updates, faculty access, and alumni resources that keep you current year-round. View participant benefits →
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What You'll Master in 1.5 Days

A comprehensive welfare plan framework covering ERISA requirements, ACA compliance, HIPAA privacy, consumer-driven health plans, COBRA, and the multiple laws that impact health and welfare benefits.

Get the Basics Right

Know which welfare plans are subject to ERISA and establish compliant procedures.

Foundation

Coverage determination

Know which welfare plans are subject to ERISA.

Advanced

Reporting and disclosure

Handle Form 5500, SPD, and SMM requirements for welfare plans.

Advanced

Plan funding rules

Understand when trusts are required and what constitutes plan assets.

Advanced

Claims procedures

Establish DOL-compliant claim and appeal processes.

Expert

Fiduciary obligations

Navigate prohibited transaction rules for welfare plan assets.

Advanced

Employer mandate

Understand play-or-pay rules and who must offer coverage.

Advanced

Coverage affordability

Calculate whether your coverage satisfies ACA standards.

Advanced

Reporting requirements

Handle Forms 1094 and 1095 correctly.

Advanced

Compliance deadlines

Stay current with ACA implementation dates and requirements.

Expert

Cadillac tax planning

Strategies to avoid the high-cost plan excise tax.

Advanced

Privacy rules for plan sponsors

Understand what PHI you can access and what's restricted.

Advanced

Business associate agreements

Structure contracts that satisfy HIPAA requirements.

Advanced

Security standards

Implement safeguards that protect electronic health information.

Expert

Breach notification

Know when and how to report privacy violations.

Advanced

Health Savings Accounts

Structure HSA-compatible plans and handle contribution rules.

Advanced

Health Reimbursement Arrangements

Navigate HRA design and compliance requirements.

Advanced

Flexible Spending Accounts

Administer health and dependent care FSAs correctly.

Advanced

Private exchanges

Understand when private exchanges make sense for your organization.

Advanced

Claim substantiation

Handle FSA and HRA claim documentation requirements.

Advanced

COBRA administration

Master qualifying events, notices, and election procedures.

Advanced

Cafeteria plan testing

Avoid discrimination in Section 125 plans.

Expert

Mental health parity

Ensure behavioral health benefits comply with parity requirements.

Expert

Medicare coordination

Handle Medicare Secondary Payer rules correctly.

Expert

QMCSO processing

Administer qualified medical child support orders properly.

Advanced

ADEA and age discrimination

Provide retiree benefits without violating age discrimination rules.

Advanced

ADA accommodations

Handle disability-related benefit issues correctly.

Advanced

FMLA coordination

Integrate FMLA leave with health benefit continuation.

Advanced

GINA compliance

Avoid genetic information discrimination in wellness programs.

Advanced

USERRA requirements

Handle military leave and benefit continuation properly.

Ready to Transform Your Workplace?

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Choose Your Format. Not Your Quality.

In-person, virtual, or on-demand - every program features the same practicing attorneys, current content, and professional credits you need.

Hotel Details

Practicing Attorneys, Not Academics

Learn from employment law attorneys who practice what they teach. Your instructors actively handle union campaigns, defend discrimination charges, and win employment law cases - then share exactly what works in real courtrooms and workplaces.

Ray Deeny, Esq.

Ray Deeny, Esq.

Partner at Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP

Ray is widely regarded as a dean of labor and employment law, known for his encyclopedic knowledge and unmatched command of workplace regulations. For over 40 years, he has represented management nationwide, blending a powerhouse advisory practice with a formidable litigation record.

Read Ray's full bio →
John F. Wymer, III, Esq.

John F. Wymer, III, Esq.

Partner, Labor & Employment at Thompson Hine LLP

John F. Wymer is a nationally recognized labor and employment attorney and partner in Thompson Hine LLP's Labor & Employment group. With decades of experience, he represents public and private sector employers nationwide in employment discrimination, wage-and-hour, labor negotiations, union matters, ERISA claims, and more.

Read John's full bio →
Wayne W. Williams, Esq.

Wayne W. Williams, Esq.

Founder, Law Offices of Wayne W. Williams

Wayne Williams is a distinguished employment and labor law attorney based in Colorado Springs. As the founder of his own firm, he advises and represents employers on a wide range of issues including employment discrimination, harassment, wrongful discharge, wage and hour compliance, and traditional labor law.

Read Wayne's full bio →
Dawn R. Kubik, Esq.

Dawn R. Kubik, Esq.

Of Counsel, Kubik Workplace & Investigative Services

Dawn Kubik is an employment attorney and founder of Kubik Workplace and Investigative Services and Dawn R. Kubik, P.C. With a legal career spanning since 1997, she has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in employment, personal injury, contract, and insurance disputes, earning a reputation as a strategic, well-prepared, and highly communicative advocate.

Read Dawn's full bio →
Patrick Scully

Patrick Scully, Esq.

Partner at Foley Hoag

Patrick Scully primarily focuses on labor law issues and helps clients successfully navigate complex and persistent claims from international and local labor unions. Patrick's work includes unfair labor practice charges and representation cases as well as federal and state court litigation. He frequently advises employers in collective bargaining negotiations and handles labor arbitration.

Read Patrick's full bio →
Rudi S. Turner, Esq.

Rudi S. Turner, Esq.

Senior Corporate Counsel, White Cap

Rudi is Senior In-House Counsel at White Cap, where she counsels and defends the organization as it responds to administrative agency complaints, potential litigation, and employee lawsuits. Drawing on extensive experience in labor and employment law, she supports leaders and HR professionals in navigating complex workplace issues.

Read Rudi's full bio →
Jacqueline E. Kalk, Esq.

Jacqueline E. Kalk, Esq.

Shareholder at Littler Mendelson P.C.

Jacqueline E. Kalk represents and advises management across industries including manufacturing, construction, crowd-sourcing, and virtual companies. She focuses on independent contractor classification, wage-and-hour compliance, equal pay, and employment litigation, defending clients in state and federal courts.

Read Jacqueline's full bio →
Grant S. Gibeau

Grant S. Gibeau

Partner at Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP

Grant Gibeau is a partner in Taft's Minneapolis Employment and Labor Relations practice group. Grant's practice primarily focuses on helping employers navigate all aspects of the employment relationship, from identifying workplace best practices and policies, drafting employee handbooks, and vigorously defending against claims.

Read Grant's full bio →
Amy J. Zdravecky, Esq.

Amy J. Zdravecky, Esq.

Partner at Barnes & Thornburg LLP

Amy represents employers across industries including retail, hospitality, manufacturing, transportation, and healthcare. She advises on employee relations, union avoidance, collective bargaining, harassment prevention, and compliance with key employment laws like Title VII, ADA, ADEA, FMLA, and FCRA.

Read Amy's full bio →

✨ Exclusive Attendee Benefits

  • Pre-Program Consultation

    Identify your priorities and customize your learning focus before day one.

  • Professional Credits

    Earn 10.25 SHRM/HRCI/CLE credits—more than most HR professionals earn in two years.

  • Ongoing Development

    12 months of quarterly employment law updates keep you current as regulations change.

  • Alumni Advantages

    $300-$500 off all future programs—for you and every colleague you refer.

Pre-Program Consultation

Identify your priorities and customize your learning focus before day one.

Quick Answers

We know you're busy. Here's what you actually need to know.

Within minutes, you'll receive an invoice email. Once payment is processed, you can schedule your complimentary pre-program consultation (10-15 minutes) to discuss your specific health and welfare plan challenges and identify which regulatory topics will have the biggest impact for your organization. Pre-program materials arrive one week before your session starts.
The 1.5-day program provides 10.25 SHRM/HRCI/CLE credits. Plus, your enrollment includes 12 months of quarterly employment law updates (4 sessions x 1.5 credits each = 6 additional credits), bringing your total to 16.25 credits.
Yes. Welfare Benefits Plan Issues is Block III of the full Certificate in Employee Benefits Law program. You can take it as a standalone 1.5-day program, or combine it with Retirement Plans (Block I) and Benefit Plan Claims, Appeals & Litigation (Block II) to earn the full certificate.
Absolutely. The program is designed for professionals who administer health plans, self-funded arrangements, and consumer-driven health plans. You'll master ACA compliance, HIPAA privacy rules, COBRA administration, and the multiple laws that impact health and welfare benefits.
Yes. The program covers COBRA qualifying events, notice requirements, election procedures, and the common pitfalls that trigger lawsuits. The pre-program consultation is the perfect time to share your specific challenges so our team can point you to the most relevant content.
Yes. Your enrollment includes all live instruction from practicing benefits attorneys, complete program materials, 10.25 continuing education credits, pre-program consultation, 12 months of quarterly employment law updates (4 sessions, $1,588 value), permanent access to updated resources, and alumni benefits for all future programs. The only additional cost would be travel and lodging if you choose in-person format.
Yes. Welfare Benefits Plan Issues (Block III) counts toward the full certificate. You can complete the remaining blocks—Retirement Plans (Block I) and Benefit Plan Claims, Appeals & Litigation (Block II)—at any future session to earn the complete Certificate in Employee Benefits Law.

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