“It may be a cliché,” says Stu Weinstein, chair of the Group Insurance Trust Claims and Plan Design Committee, “but I have gotten a lot out of my relationship with CalCPA as member, and so serving as a trustee, and finding products and services that benefit members, is a great way to give  back.” To this he adds, “Its enjoyable to be associated with something as successful as the Group Insurance Trust has been.”

In addition to his spirit of service, Weinstein also embodies a broad range of professional experience that helps him understand the circumstances of different members. Having graduated with a degree in accounting from the University of California, Berkeley in the late 1960s, Weinstein started his career with a large regional accounting firm where he served until receiving his license. From there he moved to a consulting firm and then to a job as controller in McKesson Corporation’s International Division.

He comments that this experience was a unique opportunity

“to observe the  inside of a business from the client’s perspective, something that many CPAs don’t get a chance to do.”

He was fascinated to see how an enterprise is built, how people are responsible for the bottom line, and how they report to others. He was also engaged by the process of building appropriate controls. At the end of the day, however, he found the work repetitive, and he turned back to public accounting with renewed interest.

He joined his father, who had been working as a solo CPA, in forming Weinstein & Company, where he stayed until 1999. At that point he found himself ready for a more corporate structure and moved to Rooney, Ida, Nolt and Ahern, which had just opened a San Francisco office. He liked the fact that they had separate departments with specialties and that clients were shared.

This structure also meant that his clients had a place to stay as he transitioned into retirement during the years from 2005 to 2007. Currently he still provides occasional services as a consultant and also continues as a director of CAMICO Mutual Insurance Company.

As far as the GIT is concerned, however, he is very much engaged by the challenge of providing price competitive insurance services that most public sector members couldn’t get on their own.

“There is excitement,” he says, “in working on flexible plan designs that work well for small as well as large firms. The test is to create plans that people can afford while providing as many options  as possible.”

He is proud of the high level of service members receive and pleased at the broad geographic coverage provided by Anthem Blue Cross. The fact that the GIT’s only stakeholders are its member-employers makes it easier to achieve these goals.

As chair of the Claims and Plan Design Committee he is concerned with the marketing of the entire program as well as the details of its many plans, and he has advocated the addition of more marketing and sales options for ProtectPlus, including the use of a general agency and its associated brokers.

“This option allows us to reach more potential members than simply using the direct distribution option that has been used since the Trust was founded. In a profession with an aging population, one way to continue to keep costs down, is to reach out to more members so that our overhead  costs are shared over a broader base.”

For the future, he hopes to see more member firms enroll in ProtectPlus.

“Most firms who take the time to explore the GIT options find that it is a very competitive program, frequently better than what they have in place.”

About this Change
Susan Young, executive director of the Group Insurance Trust commented,

In light of Seabury’s long service to the Trust, deciding to move our account wasn’t easy. However, in seeking the best possible service for our members, we wanted to take advantage of Banyan’s skills.

Starting November 1, 2009, Banyan will be responsible for the following:

• Customer service
• Billing
• Payment processing
• Record-keeping
• Marketing support
• Receiving and accounting for participant contributions
• Maintaining records of eligible participants
• Preparing financial reports for GIT staff and trustees
• Banyan will also process all enrollment and change applications
• Maintain an interface with Anthem Blue Cross
• Help new firms and new employees set up their accounts, and manage employee eligibility

For many ProtectPlus members, of course, the primary and often the only point of contact with the plan administrator is when they call or email with a question. Banyan brings to this customer service role a history of serving 220 organizations and group plans beginning in 1994, including other MEWAs (Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangements) in its home state of Pennsylvania that have similar needs and concerns as the Group Insurance Trust. Scott Fair, executive vice president of Banyan, is very clear about “how important customer service interactions are in presenting the face of an organization.”

Banyan Customer Service Center
The Banyan customer service center is staffed by Banyan representatives—all  are licensed brokers—who are there to answer your questions whether by phone or email. Moving all these services to a higher level, Banyan brings with it a high degree of technological sophistication, so that relevant information will be more quickly and easily accessible. For a benefits  administrator this can mean resolving an eligibility issue online, and for Trust staff, the ability to monitor plan performance more closely.

More Advanced Technology
“Banyan has the ability to track data and follow member questions in a way  that ensures questions and concerns are resolved in a timely fashion,” says Judy Graziani, director of marketing. “Additionally, the Banyan customer service system can quickly identify a returning caller, access historical case notes, and provide prompt assistance whether for a new or existing service inquiry. No more need to provide annoying repetition of the details of an on-going issue.”

Judy Graziani notes,

Another great feature of the Banyan system is that it gathers data on issues that arise frequently. This information will allow the Trust to make more informed decisions regarding plan benefits and service issues.

Improved Services
Fair emphasizes a number of new and/or improved services that will be implemented over the coming months including “both online, multi-media presentations and mailings to help members understand their choices.” Stressing his firm’s technical capacities, he also mentions that they will  be creating more online capabilities.

For instance, Banyan will be introducing web services that allow a benefits manager to access and update the firm’s account, and firms will even have the ability to transfer some of these responsibilities to individual employees if it so desires. As an added benefit to human resource departments, Banyan has contracted with the Bureau of National Affairs to make available a host of online reference and legal materials to participating ProtectPlus firms at no extra charge.

Starting November 2
You can contact Banyan Administrators with any questions regarding eligibility, billing, or customer service issues. In addition, Banyan Administrators customer service representatives will be available to answer any questions;

Customer Service: (877) 480-7923
Fax (877) 237-4519, or
Email: cpaprotectplus@banyan-llc.com.

Mailing Address:
Banyan Administrators, LLC, Program Manager for the CalCPA ProtectPlus Programs
1215 Manor Drive, Suite 200,
Mechanicsburg , PA 17055.

Changes to CPE Requirements Effective for Jan. 1, 2010 License Renewals

The California Board of Accountancy is amending the section of the California Code of Regulations that governs continuing education and license renewal for CPAs to place ethics education at the forefront of the profession; ensure licensees maintain a high level of competency and remain abreast of the continually changing tax laws and professional standards throughout the entirety of the licensure period; and ensure licensees continue to receive exposure to the laws and regulations governing the practice of public accountancy in California.

All licensees renewing a license in an active status will be required to complete:

• Four hours of ethics CE every renewal period
• A two-hour regulatory review course every six years covering the California Accountancy Act, plus CBA regulations and enforcement actions
• A minimum of 20 hours of CE (with a minimum of 12 hours in technical subject matter) each year of the two-year license renewal period as part of the 80-hour
• CE requirement.

CBA Reinstates CE Audit Program
The CBA’s Renewal and Continuing Competency Unit is reinstating its continuing education audit program to ensure that licensees are complying with CE requirements as specified in the CBA regulations. Licensees will be randomly preselected during the license renewal process and notified of the audit approximately 90 days prior to their license expiration date.

If renewing a license in an active status, licensees will be instructed to submit documents (i.e. certificates of completion) substantiating completion of a minimum of 80 hours of CE reported at the time of renewal, which will be verified against the CE Reporting Worksheet accompanying the renewal application.

Licensees will be able to submit documentation either in hardcopy or electronically.

Licensees are required to retain CE certificates of completion for four years after renewal, and Professional Conduct and Ethics certificates of completion must be retained for six years.

For all CPE you take through the CalCPA Education Foundation, an electronic certificate of completion is stored with your online CPE record.

To continue reading this article, and for additional educational materials visit CalCPA.org

Each podcast is between 5 and 10 minutes.  Short bit-sized bits of information on a wide range of topics.

Podcast Topics

Financial Elder Fraud and Abuse
CAMICO Employment Practices Liability Program
The View from the Back of the Bull – Bank Reconciliation Deficiencies
High-Risk Employees

See all Camico Podcasts

Employer Eligibility
ProtectPlus is available to accounting firms and firms offering general financial services. Solo practitioners (a CPA practicing on his/her own with no other employees) are eligible to apply.

To be eligible and retain such eligibility, more than 50% of all the Employer’s owners (i.e., principals, proprietors, partners, shareholders or other owners) must be CPAs or Associate members of CalCPA in good standing.

If you are a CPA and not a member of CalCPA, see how you can join CalCPA here.

All employers deemed to be part of an affiliated group under Internal Revenue Code Sections 414 (b), (c), or (m) are considered to be a single employer.

Employee Eligibility
Active, regular full-time solo practitioners working at least 20 hours per week are eligible for coverage.

Dependent Eligibility
Eligible dependents include a lawful spouse, domestic partner, and unmarried children, up to age 19, or through age 24 if the child is an unmarried, full-time student carrying nine or more credit hours per semester. Disabled children of eligible employees who, with appropriate medical certification, are eligible for coverage at any age. Children of domestic partners are eligible. Non-student dependent children, ages 19 through 24, are eligible but must be covered at employee rates.

Learn More

CalCPA ProtectPlus Copay Plans

CalCPA ProtectPlus HSA Plans

Tax-Savings Can Really Add Up To Lower Healthcare Costs

Times are tough. Medical costs are on the rise. But there’s something you can do right now to get more for your healthcare dollars. Simply sign up for a CalCPA ProtectPlus Health Savings Account (HSA) plan and save big on the services you already use. HSA plans are available to any CalCPA ProtectPlus member whose employer is offering any of our three High Deductible Health Plans (HDHP).

With these accounts, you deposit pre-tax dollars into your Health Savings Account and then use your HSA debit card to pay for eligible medical expenses for you and your dependents. You can use your HSA for expenses like office visits, prescriptions, and emergency services, plus eligible expenses NOT covered by your plan such as dental, vision, many over-the-counter drugs and long-term care.

Get full details on HSA plans. See HSA eligible plans.

CalCPA Leadership Institute

Each year, CalCPA Leadership Institute teaches potential member leaders the specific skills necessary to grow into future leadership positions at CalCPA and in the profession.

Strong leaders in strategic positions are key to CalCPA’s continued success. CalCPA Leadership Institute is a five-day program designed to teach members skills that will make them better leaders and managers. Participants will grow as volunteer and business leaders as they focus on improving leadership behavior, as well as critical thinking and management skills.

The California CPA Education Foundation and CalCPA underwrite the costs except for a small administrative fee that is responsibility of the individual participant. Qualified candidates will be members who have the greatest potential for fulfilling future leadership roles at CalCPA.

Sample Topics
CalCPA Leadership Institute participants will discuss, among other topics:

• Fundamentals of leadership
• Identifying personal leadership styles
• Strategic planning and goal setting
• Client management
• Managing people

Visit CalCPA to download 2009–10 application and learn more.

Trust staff are frequently asked “why should I choose ProtectPlus?”  The short answer is, “because these plans provide valuable features you just aren’t going to find elsewhere.” At the top of the list is the claims advocacy that members get from the Seabury & Smith staff exclusively dedicated to serving Group Insurance Trust plan subscribers.

The Seabury staff usually resolves disputes and claims issues fast, despite the fact that they are often dealing with complicated issues. In an age when computer-processed claims are tossed out because they don’t fit the formula, having a live person to resolve problems can be a huge time saver.

A second, immensely important feature of ProtectPlus is the right of survivors to continue coverage. In plain terms this means that if a member dies, his or her dependents can continue their health coverage as long as they need it—either until they qualify for Medicare, remarry, or get other coverage through an employer.

Finally, ProtectPlus allows college students between the ages of 19 and 25 to remain on their parents’ plans if they carry a minimum of nine units. The industry standard for this benefit is 12 units. Additionally, dependents between the ages of 19 and 25 who may be taking time off from school or serving on a HSAsreligious mission may remain in the plan as “single-subscribers” billed at their own age rate, until they once again qualify as a dependent student, become independent of their parents, or turn age 25.

1. On December 4, 1959, the California Society of CPAs creates a trust for the maintenance of group insurance programs serving employer members, employees, and dependents. Over the course of the next 38 years, the terms of this trust will be amended and restated several times.
2. Between 1980 and 1983 two committees administer CalCPA insurance benefits. In 1983 the two committees separate. The Members Insurance Plans Committee is charged with the formation of CAMICO, while the Administrative Committee of the Group Insurance Trust (ACGIT) is given oversight of CalCPA’s health and welfare plans.
3. In 1981, with healthcare premiums escalating rapidly, the medical plan is put out for bid and moved from Pacific Mutual to Blue Cross. Despite a two-year rate guarantee period, when the plan loses $2 million in the first year Blue Cross requests and is denied an 82 percent premium rate increase. Eventually the Trust and Blue Cross agree on a rate increase of more than 40 percent and the creation of a rate stabilization fund to temper future rate increases.
4. In 1984 the Trust moves from broker/administrator Rollins Burdick Hunter to Fred S. James. To better serve CalCPA members, Fred S. James opens a San Francisco office to oversee the day-to-day operation of the Trust account.
5. In 1992, sweeping state legislation eliminates unique, association-sponsored healthcare plans. Solo practitioners, who are not protected under the new law, are particularly vulnerable and in danger of losing coverage. In June 1994, the Trust negotiates with Blue Cross to guarantee that all existing covered firms, including solo practitioners, retain coverage, and CalCPA healthcare plans morph into Blue Cross off-the-shelf small group plans.
6. At its May 8, 1995 board meeting, the ACGIT reviews two studies it has commissioned from Towers Perrin and Deloitte & Touche. Both recommend that the Trust self-fund its own medical plans. Although conscious of the risk, the committee agrees to go forward. CalCPA, under the leadership of Executive Director Jim Kurtz and President Gale Case, is supportive.
7. Only a few months later, on September 30, 1995, the Trust files for a Certificate of (MEWA) Compliance and CalCPA’s Government Relation  division work tirelessly to push through enabling legislation. California Department of Insurance Commissioner Chuck Quackenbush advises the Trust to file as a MEWA and Trust staff and counsel undertake the massive task of compiling the MEWA application.
8. On March 10, 1997, after eighteen months of unrelenting effort by the trustees, staff, government relations division, and consultants, the GIT is awarded a Certificate of (MEWA) Compliance by the California Department of Insurance. The certificate allows the Trust to design plans, set premiums, and operate a healthcare program exclusively for CalCPA member-owned firms.
9. On April 26, 1997, CalCPA amends and restates the Trust agreement to create a Board of Trustees in accordance with ERISA guidelines. The Board of Trustees approves the final MEWA plan designs, and Trust staff launches marketing efforts.
10. The first four ProtectPlus copay plans open for business on July 1, 1997. By the end of July, 445 firms have enrolled with a total of 1,122 subscribers. By the end of the calendar year, plan participation has tripled.
11. Following an arduous application process, on May 16, 2008 the Trust receives the news that it is the first and only MEWA in the nation to be awarded an A.M. Best rating. The Trust receives a B++ rating—a significantly higher rating than expected for any first-time rating applicant, let alone a MEWA.
12. On June 25, 2009 the Trust celebrates its 50th anniversary and honors those who no longer serve but have contributed so much to the Trust’s success, including former trustees, CalCPA leadership, CalCPA and Trust staff members and consultants.

Ensure access to quality, affordable coverage

Congress has begun to debate how to reform our nation’s health care system, and it is important for them to hear from you. It is an historic opportunity to enact comprehensive reform that makes health care more affordable, improves quality and covers all Americans.

We strongly support reform that builds a strong, sustainable private-sector health care system – and strongly oppose creating a government-run health plan. We are urging our elected officials in Washington to take bipartisan action that will accomplish that. We are educating policymakers in Washington and working with our trade associations to encourage Congress to build on the current system and not disrupt the quality, affordable coverage on which our members depend.

Our elected officials need to hear from you

There is a role that you can play in this effort, too. As our elected officials debate health care, they need to hear directly from you. You understand the important role that private-sector health plans play in ensuring access to quality, affordable coverage.

Surveys show that the American people support a common-sense approach in which the public and private sectors work together to fix the health care system. We agree. Nonetheless, there are proposals in Washington that would threaten our ability to continue serving individuals, families and employers. We cannot allow that to happen.

That is why it is important for you to get involved in our grassroots effort. Here are some steps that you can take to get involved in the health care reform debate and to ask others to participate as well.

Getting involved is easy

There are several easy opportunities to make your voice heard:

1. Go to healthactionnetwork and sign up to be a part of our grassroots campaign. When you register you will learn who your federal representatives are.
2. Write a letter. Once you register on the Health Action Network, you will have the opportunity to send an email to your elected officials.
3. Make a toll-free phone call to share your views with your federal lawmakers.  After you have registered on the Health Action Network site, you will have the opportunity to take part in a phone alert in which you will be presented with a toll-free number and a PIN to enter once you have dialed in. Your PIN will enable us to patch you through to the offices of your U.S. Senators and your U.S. Representative.
4. Post information on your Facebook page. Simply click the Facebook button provided on the Health Action Network and follow the instructions. The information will be published on your Facebook profile. Also, please be sure to become a fan of the Health Action Network on Facebook and encourage your friends and family to do the same!
5. Tell a friend. Once you have emailed your elected officials, you will have the opportunity to spread the word to family and friends by using our “Tell a Friend” feature.

The private-sector health care community is actively engaged in support of reform across the country. This effort gives all of us a chance to have our voices heard in Washington.

Thank you for your ongoing efforts in maintaining and enhancing the private-sector health care marketplace.