Session 2 – SUED: The Missing Notice That Turns Open Enrollment Into an Audit Finding

Description:

• A missing SBC, a late COBRA election notice, an outdated SPD — these aren’t paperwork technicalities. They’re the exact gaps plaintiffs’ attorneys and the DOL look for when a participant is denied a claim or contests their coverage, and missing notices remove your best defense. KC Rippstein, BSI’s Lead Compliance Consultant, breaks down the specific compliance checkpoints to hit at each stage of enrollment, so what you communicated to employees and what your plan documents actually say never drift apart. Spencer Felix, Account Director, joins to lead live Q&A, grounding the discussion in what he sees across client plans day to day.

Walk Away With:

• The specific notices (SBC, COBRA election, SPD) most likely to create a compliance gap — and when each is due
• A better sense of how to keep what you communicate to employees aligned with what your plan documents actually say
• A clear path for how to keep a routine audit finding from turning into a benefits claim you can’t defend

This is session 2 of 3 in our renewal season series, “Fined. Sued. Fired. The 2027 BSI Compliance Playbook Series.

Speakers:

KC Rippstein, Lead Compliance Consultant, BSI Corporate Benefits

• KC has over 20 years of experience in employee benefits, with 15 of those years focused on building a dedicated compliance practice for a large national brokerage. In this role, his leadership was central to scaling brokerage operations during periods of massive regulatory change. His knowledge of health and welfare compliance is among the best in the nation – but his greatest skillset is a knack for making difficult topics easy to understand and apply. He is a licensed life and health professional with CEBS, GBA, RHU, REBC, and ChHC designations and HIPAA, Self-Funded, Single Payer and PPACA professional certifications.

Spencer Felix, Account Director, BSI Corporate Benefits

• Spencer serves as an Account Director at BSI, where he oversees the strategic management and delivery of employee benefit programs for assigned clients. Working closely with his team, Spencer is dedicated to providing exceptional service and ensuring client satisfaction by developing customized benefit strategies aligned with each client’s unique workforce needs and business objectives. He acts as a trusted advisor, proactively engaging with clients to understand their goals and challenges. Spencer leads regular meetings to review plan performance, discuss compliance requirements, and identify opportunities to optimize benefit offerings for enhanced employee satisfaction and cost efficiency. His expertise includes navigating complex regulatory environments such as ERISA, ACA, HIPAA, and COBRA, helping clients maintain compliance and mitigate risk. Spencer collaborates with internal analytics, underwriting teams, and external vendors to monitor financial performance, analyze claims data, and negotiate vendor contracts, ensuring high-quality service delivery and cost-effective solutions. He also supports wellness initiatives, enrollment processes, and client communications to foster positive employee engagement. A graduate of Shippensburg University with a degree in Marketing, Spencer combines his experience in the PEO industry and commercial insurance sales with his strategic approach to employee benefits, making him a valuable resource for both clients and the BSI team.