REMINDER - Presentation will be at our new location,
MEM (formerly Missouri Employers Mutual)
Breakfast and networking from 7:45am to 8:10am
Presentation starting at 8:15am
This session will explore the critical importance of fiduciary responsibility in employer‑sponsored group health plans. Employers are legally obligated to act in the best interests of plan participants, and with plaintiff attorneys increasingly shifting their focus from 401(k) litigation to healthcare plans, passive or undocumented plan management can expose organizations—and individuals responsible for oversight—to significant financial and legal risk. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of fiduciary oversight, including why structured governance and documented decision‑making are essential in today’s regulatory and litigation environment.
The discussion will also focus on how to critically evaluate medical and pharmacy benefit arrangements, including vendor partners, network and formulary design, contract terms, compensation structures, data transparency, and alternative funding strategies that may offer meaningful cost‑saving opportunities. Speakers will highlight the importance of access to claims data to support routine audits and informed decision‑making. In addition, the session will address current dynamics in the stop‑loss market, where specialty drugs, gene therapies, and shock claims are driving higher‑cost claimants and significant renewal increases, and what employers should consider when negotiating coverage in this evolving landscape.
Robert Aschentrop
Robert Aschentrop brings nearly two decades of experience in employee benefits consulting, following an early career in the banking industry. He has spent the past ten years with Lockton, where he advises employers on complex benefit strategies with a focus on insurance underwriting, alternative risk financing, pharmacy strategy, and financial and claims analytics. Robert is known for his deep understanding of how benefit programs function at both a strategic and operational level. He closely tracks innovation and emerging trends in the employee benefits space, identifying, evaluating, and implementing forward‑thinking solutions and vendor partnerships that drive positive disruption and deliver meaningful, sustainable cost savings for his clients.
Max Danner
Max Danner has spent the past seven years at Lockton serving in a variety of roles, partnering with employers across both the public and private sectors. Throughout his tenure, he has supported organizations with key initiatives including open enrollment, regulatory compliance, financial budgeting, and long‑term strategic planning. Max is dedicated to helping clients navigate their evolving benefits needs by delivering thoughtful, strategic solutions and seamless service, enabling organizations to move forward with confidence and clarity.
