Frank Bastian

When Don Rashke was selling insurance in north-central Wisconsin, he thought that some of his farming Clients might benefit from estate planning. So he sought out an expert in the field, and the first name that came to his mind, was his cousin Frank Bastian. With a law degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Frank was practicing law in Milwaukee. In addition to a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Frank is also a Certified Public Accountant.

Throughout the years, Frank has offered Don the legal and financial expertise he needed to help customers and to grow TASC. Frank assisted with the complex structuring of our early acquisitions. He was instrumental in developing the inner workings of AgriPlan, the flagship product of this company. I can’t stress too much just how important Frank’s efforts have been to ensuring the legality of and acceptance of AgriPlan and BizPlan, and ultimately, to the creation of TASC. Frank and his law firm successfully defended these Plans from various challenges throughout the years.

Frank crafted the national sales agreement with an exclusive sales and marketing firm for AgriPlan and BizPlan. This ironclad agreement stood up to the test of arbitration when that relationship was later dissolved.

Frank has served on more than 20 corporate and private foundation boards. We have been fortunate indeed that TASC was one of those. It has been an honor to have him serve as a member of TASC’s Board of Advisors for more than 20 years.

Ron Myren

In the 1980s TASC was struggling with the challenges of technology. After a couple of misguided attempts, Don reached out to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Who answered the phone? Ron Myren. With a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Wisconsin, Ron was a Senior Information Processing Consultant with the University of Wisconsin-Extension. He was an early developer of educational software, with a number of programs distributed nationally.

We first engaged Ron to help develop TASC’s Flex Plan software program and platform. Later, when we were building our first local area network, Ron rolled up his sleeves and went to work. This included getting down on his hands and knees to pull the wires, setting up all of the computers, installing the network cards, and then configuring it so it all worked.

Next Ron went to work on the preplanning and development phases of TASC’s FlexSystem software. He was the original developer of our FlexSystem software administration system, now known as MyTASC. Today, nearly 10,000 customers each day access MyTASC to manage their TASC accounts!

Ron was integral in producing and supporting FlexSystem. The software package he developed was sold to more than 500 users across the nation. This system provided financial professionals and HR departments with all of the tools, forms, and functions needed to manage their own Section 125 Plans. On the TASC Board of Advisors for more than 20 years, Ron’s talents and expertise have helped ensure our proactive approach to technology and operations management.

Don Rashke

Qualities of a successful leader include perseverance, endurance, vision, compassion, and courage. Few individuals can personify all these characteristics on a daily basis, but in my opinion one person comes incredibly close—and that person is Don Rashke.

Don began his career as a printer with the Milwaukee Journal daily newspaper. As his family grew, he decided the city was not where he wanted to raise a family. In 1965, without any farming experience, he bought a farm in north central Wisconsin. Talk about courage! For ten years, he demonstrated endurance by raising six kids and a herd of prize winning Holstein cows.

In 1975 Don changed directions again, became an insurance agent, and started his own agency, The Insurance Center. He served his farming neighbors with compassion and empathy, knowing first-hand of their challenges, challenges like affording healthcare for their families. His philosophy: that these small businesses deserve the same benefits that large companies enjoy. From this insight grew AgriPlan and BizPlan, and eventually TASC.

Don demonstrated courage and perseverance while developing AgriPlan. He kept at it when many in the industry told him it couldn’t be done. He sought out relationships with experts in the field to support his cause and formed alliances with others to spread the word. Through his effort, hundreds of thousands have benefited from the tax savings that AgriPlan and BizPlan deliver.

Don retired from the day-to-day business in 1996. He has continued to guide the company and was Chairman of the Board for 16 years, working with management to define goals, to implement strategies, and to encourage growth.

Earlier this year we celebrated Don’s 80^th birthday. For all of my 47 years he has been a father and a leader like no other. For most of my adult life he has led me professionally and personally. I learned about passion and drive by watching him work. He continues to teach me how to see the big picture, and continues to exemplify what integrity, compassion, and flexibility are all about.

I want to personally thank Don, Frank and Ron for their many years of service on our Board of Advisors. TASC wouldn’t be the same without the wisdom and guidance of these great men.

Capital Connection
In these changing times, TASC continues to make major investments. Our Governmental Affairs function is staffed by a Legislative Analyst who stays on top of the ever-evolving healthcare, judicial, budgetary, and political landscapes. Unusual for our industry, TASC’s Governmental Affairs team reviews and interprets rulings and clarifications, monitors governmental and political blogs, tracks industry opinions and upcoming trends, and translates and shares what’s pertinent.

With this in-depth research, TASC is uniquely positioned ahead of the curve to adapt and capitalize on changes affecting our industry. You can stay connected to the Capital Connection by visiting www.tasccapitalconnection.com.

Consumer Protection Program
At TASC it’s vital that we place adequate safeguards on the protection of our customers’ financial and healthcare data. TASC raised the bar by implementing a comprehensive program dedicated to this responsibility.

Our Consumer Protection Program ensures a secure environment is maintained by all of our vendors and business partners who process, store, or transmit credit card information. We’ve increased encryption, enhanced firewalls, and established a new login procedure to strengthen our already iron-clad security measures.

Though not required to do so, TASC successfully completed an in-depth audit of our technology, security, and transactional processes. And rare for our industry, we have implemented an internal watchdog, an auditor whose sole duty is independent oversight of our financial and administrative processes. Our Confidentially Speaking Program provides employees, customers and vendors an anonymous way to communicate regarding unacceptable or unethical behavior related to conflicts of interest, theft, fraud, and more.

Voices Carry
Everyone knows the key to a successful relationship is communication. TASC cares enough to ask customers for frank feedback about their TASC experiences.

TASC’s Voices Carry Program ensures customers are free to share their opinions with us. Because we constantly monitor calls and comments made to our Customer Care team, we are able to promptly address support requests and resolve issues of concern. Customers are invited to participate in focus groups through which they provide feedback on new procedures and innovations. And small groups are invited to pre-test new services and procedures; only after their thumbs-up do we launch to customers overall! Finally, surveys and other evaluation tools are also important for measuring overall customer satisfaction and service expectations throughout the year.

With Voices Carry TASC listens and responds! Look for results to our recent surveys in the next issue of ON TASC.

No Comparison at all!
Suffice it to say, when comparing administrators, there really isn’t any comparison at all!

For today’s blog I will confine my comments to one of the questions posed during the webinar: “If there is a change to the make-up of the federal government next November, what regulatory changes would you like to see put into effect for 2013 and beyond?” Isn’t that a loaded question?! Right now, the Republicans control the House, while the Senate and the White House are controlled by the Democrats. So, for any kind of radical change, wouldn’t the Republicans have to take control of all three? And with enough seats to make it filibuster safe? Even with a new Congress, it seems more than obvious that it will be well into 2013 before something could occur.

I don’t read crystal balls, nor does anyone at TASC, where we operate on the concept that most provisions of the Patient Protection & Affordable Care Act (PPACA), if not all, will prevail in one form or another. I expect tweaks. Tweaks are not new in our industry; they are inevitable and have been going on as long as I’ve been in this business. I don’t foresee any tweaks that will materially shift the current regulations.

The moderator pushed the issue a little further, and asked “Suppose the make-up of federal government does change significantly after the next election; what would TASC like to see happen?”  That’s an interesting and complicated proposition. In that circumstance, TASC would like to see the following:

• Clarity regarding the upcoming cap on health Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). TASC’s position is that the cap goes into effect for Plan Years starting in February of 2013 or after.
• A permanent exemption on the annual limit requirement affecting Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs).
• An ultimate plan for the W-2 requirement. We would like to see companies with fewer than 250 employees exempted from the requirement, along with some consistency in the requirement for those with more than 250 employees.
• Removal of the mandate that restricts over-the-counter medications from inclusion in FSAs and HRAs.  This removal would result in a better value proposition for consumers, and would remove a lot of confusion in the market.
• I admit that it’s not likely to happen anytime soon (or that it will garner much attention whatsoever before 2013).  Nevertheless, it would be advantageous to many if the employee-funded portion of an FSA were stripped from the 2018 Cadillac tax calculation.

During the webinar we were also asked to discuss these questions: What does the future hold for private and public exchanges? What do you see as the most important areas of focus for healthcare technology and service organizations which cater to the consumer driven healthcare market?  What is your outlook on the future for healthcare accounts and healthcare payments? 

If you want to hear our answers, you can listen to the entire one-hour webinar by following this link:

https://fisglobalinfo.webex.com/fisglobalinfo/lsr.php?AT=pb&SP=EC&rID=5178607&rKey=7780d08e92548bc3

Now mandated by the new regulations is the requirement—imposed on various benefits Plans—that certain notices be distributed to employees directly or disclosed to them in written Summary Plan Descriptions (SPDs).  Compliance is even more challenging and confusing because some notices must be distributed only once, and some must be distributed annually. Because the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) amended the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), failure to comply can be quite costly for an employer/Plan Sponsor. For example, failure to comply with these reforms—much like failure to comply with HIPAA portability rules under ERISA—is punishable with a $100/day penalty per employee (for every employee who is affected by the violation)  until said violation is corrected. In addition, such noncompliance also requires self-reporting, and even after the violation is corrected any failure to self-report may result in additional fines/penalties.

Beginning in 2012, all healthcare plans and insurers must create and distribute a document summarizing benefits to plan enrollees and policyholders. To be separate from the SPD, this document must include the following:

• Definitions of standard medical and insurance terms.
• A summary of the coverage provided, including any cost-sharing provisions.
• A description of any exceptions to or limitations on coverage, and the renewability and continuation of the plan/policy coverage terms.
• Examples of common benefits scenarios to illustrate coverage.
• A statement clarifying whether the plan or policy provides minimum essential coverage.
• Contact information for consumer convenience.
• The Act prescribes specific formatting requirements for this summary document.

Who is responsible for ensuring that documentation and notice requirements are met? Per the regulations, health insurers of fully insured plans are responsible for providing notification. But the requirement doesn’t stop there…  As also spelled out in the regulations:  it is the ultimate responsibility of the Employer Plan Sponsor to ensure Participants receive Notices. Yes, that’s right, ultimate responsibility again falls on the employer.

Of course, this comes down to just one question: Where do employers go for assistance? They can look to their broker or agent. They can seek legal counsel. They can resolve to stay on top of this issue—and to avoid the inevitable pitfalls—all by themselves. The healthcare scene is constantly developing and transitioning, and I certainly wouldn’t advise any of those options. Instead, of course, I’d suggest they put their trust in TASC, an administrator which is already all over this! As always, stay tuned for future updates.

One part of the discussion focused on the impact this legislation continues to have on benefits accounts. For example, over-the-counter drugs not prescribed by a doctor are already excluded from reimbursement through a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Health Savings Account (HSA), or Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA). This exclusion continues to challenge employees who may no longer purchase these necessities tax free.

Coming soon are limits for medical FSA contributions. Effective January 1, 2013, employees will be able to contribute no more than $2,500 to a medical FSA in a Plan Year. Of course, a husband and wife with access to separate FSAs can each max out their Plan and increase their family’s limit to $5,000.

Coming in 2018, an excise tax will be imposed on high-cost insurance plans. This will affect plans with aggregate expenses that exceed $10,200 for individual coverage and $27,500 for family coverage. There are lingering questions regarding this provision…  Will the portion an employee runs through an FSA count toward that total?  Stay tuned for more.

Of particular concern to HR personnel are the administrative actions that need to be taken to comply with the new rules. Again, for example, TASC quickly updated our Plan Documents to accommodate the federally mandated extension of healthcare coverage to dependent children through age 26. Further, while delayed twice already, the new W-2 reporting requirement is now scheduled to take effect in 2014. The formula for determining the amount to report is complicated and employers are well advised to leave this calculation to administrators like TASC.

Of course there are opportunities for gains as well. One that comes to mind is the Small Business Tax Credit. To get the credit, a business must have fewer than 25 full-time workers or the equivalent (for example, two half-time employees equals one full-time employee), must pay an average annual wage of less than $50,000, and must cover at least half the cost of health insurance premiums for their workers. Through 2013, the tax credit covers up to 35% of the amount a qualifying business spends on its health insurance premiums. In 2014, the top tax credit bumps up to 50%. The credit is available for up to six years. Employers should consider how this credit plays against the traditional deduction (Section 162) and choose the most advantageous route for their circumstance.

In the future we will see grants to help small businesses provide wellness programs to their employees. Eligible employers will be those without a workplace wellness program who employ fewer than 100 individuals who work 25 hours or more per week. Other than that, the details of this program have not been worked out. TASC will step in to help facilitate the grant competition process for our participating employers.

Clearly, many of these new provisions are still very much in play. TASC continues to watch these developments to determine the best course of action for our customers.  In my next blog, I will look at the new notice and documentation requirements.

For example, here are some recent PPACA-related updates that we are following:

• The deadline has passed for submitting a waiver request to the annual HRA Plan limits. This provision prohibits health plans from imposing annual “caps” on the reimbursement of essential health benefits. The deadline to submit a waiver request ended on September 22, which means applications are no longer being considered.
• Another provision we are watching is CLASS, the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports program.  According to various sources, the Obama administration is putting a financially troubled part of the 2010 healthcare reform law on hold, leaving in doubt whether the benefit for disabled Americans will ever be implemented.
• The Department of Health and Human Services recently rolled out the initial regulations regarding the establishment of State Health Insurance Exchanges under PPACA. Exchanges are state-based competitive health insurance marketplaces through which individuals and small businesses (with fewer than 100 employees) can purchase private health insurance. 
• The Obama administration chose not to ask a federal appeals court for further review of a ruling striking down the centerpiece of the president’s sweeping healthcare overhaul—the mandate that individuals must purchase health insurance if they have none. The decision makes it more likely that the U.S. Supreme Court will hear the case during the court’s current term.

Needless to say, there continues to be a lot of movement with these regulations – and a lot to review, research, and analyze. For that reason, we made the move earlier this year to create a new position on our TASC corporate roster. Designed specifically to help us keep up with the ever-changing governmental landscape, our new Legislative Analyst position is held by Jason Westphal. Jason spends his days reviewing, analyzing, and interpreting Internal Revenue Service rulings and clarifications, governmental and healthcare related blogs, industry opinions, and upcoming trends. His efforts are another example of how TASC makes the investment to ensure we’re offering the most up-to-date and innovative services possible, how TASC strives to leave no stone unturned when it comes to protecting the compliance of our services.

We have made it easy to follow the efforts of our new Legislative Analyst.  Just visit TASC’s Capital Connection website (www.tasccapitalconnection.com). The Capital Connection will keep you updated on all the latest legislative action that affects our Plans. As is our custom, TASC is ready to adapt and capitalize on any change that affects our industry. You can count on it.

What makes this award so special?  It’s the fact that it was selected by an independent panel of community business leaders who are right in our hometown.  To be recognized by those who know you best is a pretty strong statement and one we take very seriously.

Since 1987, the Best in Business Award has been presented to outstanding Dane County businesses to showcase their business achievements as well as their commitment to customers, employees, and the community.  Specific awards criteria are used, including growth, the recipient’s standing among its competitors, its adaptation to changing markets, response to customer needs, and commitment to the community, and the company’s workplace environment.

I speak on behalf of TASC’s management, Board of Advisors, and team of employees when I say we are extremely proud to be recognized and honored in this manner.  We strive to provide the best quality and service to our customers, to foster a creative and fun work environment for our employees, and to be a productive and charitable member of our community.  It’s sure rewarding to have been recognized for the very attributes we attempt to achieve!

High marks for TASC

It shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise that other business leaders appreciate what we have going here at TASC.  For years we have been hearing the same message from our business customers.  In our latest Participant Satisfaction Survey, FlexSystem received a high approval rating—with 93% of the respondents saying they are Very Satisfied or Satisfied with TASC.  And in a mid-year Client Pulse Study, AgriPlanNOW and BizPlanNOW also received a high approval rating—with 86% of the respondents saying they are Very Satisfied or Satisfied.  Such fine customer approval ratings beat winning awards any day!

And why are our customers so satisfied with TASC?  They tell us it’s because TASC listens and TASC responds.  In striving to maintain this high esteem we have created our new Voices Carry program; it’s in place to help us better listen to our customers so we may respond more swiftly than ever.  With customer feedback as our guide, we are able to continuously improve our services to better meet the evolving needs of those we serve—improving their overall experiences with TASC. With a program like Voices Carry, who knows?  There may even be more awards in our future!

Milo and Sharlyn Shellito operate a family farm in Kansas. Milo is the owner and operator of the farm, Sharlyn assists with many tasks related to the farm operations. In 2001, the Shellitos implemented an AgriPlan, and through the years they followed our Plan procedures very stringently. In 2004, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) audited the Shellito’s Plan, questioning whether Sharlyn was a bona fide employee of the farm. On the advice of their AgriPlan Provider, the Shellitos rejected the IRS’ ruling and took the case to a local tax court. Unfortunately the local tax court agreed with the IRS. At this point, the Shellitos called on TASC and our Audit Guarantee.

Without hesitation or reservation, TASC appealed the case. Not once, but twice. Recently, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously reversed the Tax Court’s decision. It didn’t like the twisted reasoning the Tax Court had used to determine Sharlyn’s employee status. To be clear, the Tenth Circuit didn’t officially state that Sharlyn was Milo’s employee, instead it reversed the earlier decision that she was not Milo’s employee.

This case, as with others, clearly illustrates the value of TASC as a third-party administrator. Without our support, the Shellitos would have been railroaded into giving up their legally obtained deductions. Sharlyn Shellito put it perfectly when she said that without our support the case wouldn’t have gone as far as it did. “It meant a lot. Because we would have had to hire an attorney on our own and that would have cost us a lot of money, probably a lot more than we owed,” says Sharlyn.

Tax expert Vern Hoven takes it even further. “In Milo’s case, the reason he did so well in the Court of Appeals is due to the instructions, advice, and support from TASC,” he noted. “Most importantly to Milo, TASC also provided the legal defense of this IRS audit. This tax case didn’t cost Milo a dime!”

We back our Plan. We support our Clients. And we don’t give up. Add these three to the many other reasons to put your trust in TASC.

*Newly revamped as AgriPlanNOW and BizPlanNOW.

With MyTASC Mobile, Participants can use their mobile device to easily stay current with their FlexSystem account balances from anywhere at any time.  MyTASC Mobile App is secure and available as a free download to a smartphone, or other mobile device.  It is easy to login with a current MyTASC username and password, and access to account information is secured through Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption.  Coming soon, Participants will be able to submit requests for reimbursement and substantiation documents, and view account transactions.

The need to check an account balance can happen at any time.  Is there enough money to pay for a child’s braces?  Is there enough in the account to cover the prescription the doctor just wrote? With the MyTASC Mobile App, Participants hold right in the palms of their hands all the information they need to make informed decisions.

Since its release, we have been averaging about 45 downloads a day from the Apple Store alone.  Through August 18^th, the MyTASC Mobile App has been downloaded 1,406 times through Apple and 746 times via Android.  One of the first to download the MyTASC Mobile App is Jeanne LaFountain, Principal of the Lee County School District’s Early Childhood Learning Services in Fort Myers, Florida.  Jeanne sent us this message regarding the App.

“Can I just tell you that you guys are the BEST!?!  I love all the things you do in insurance and benefits to keep us informed and make things easier,” wrote Jeanne.  “Love this (MyTASC Mobile App) feature!!!  Love it! Love it!”

Wow.  Thank you Jeanne.  There’s more where that came from!  For example, TASC Mobile also offers text messaging and email notification. Once again, Participants can use these mobile services daily to obtain account balances, request reimbursements, and receive account status alerts.

Customers are downloading TASC Mobile every day.  Download the TASC Mobile App today at either the Apple Store or the Android Market.  Don’t be the last in your neighborhood to go mobile with TASC!

MyBenefits. MyCash. MyWay.
After years of anticipation, the TASC Card cash account—called MyCash—is scheduled to go live soon for FlexSystem Participants! When MyCash is activated, all reimbursements (where the TASC Card is not used) will automatically be made to the employee’s MyCash account.   As many already know, the TASC Card streamlines the reimbursement process by qualifying and paying for eligible medical expenses on the spot.  No more need for reimbursement request forms and receipts.  No more waiting for reimbursements!  And with funds in the MyCash Account users can pay for healthcare and general expenses with just one swipe of the card! 

MyServiceCenter
For all TASC Plans, the MyService Center provides a comprehensive summary of Plan activity, showcasing service requests, reports, and service activity for each of our products. It’s all about creating more visibility, transparency and accountability. Only TASC gives Clients this kind of unparalleled control and power over their Plans.  At MyService Center Clients can submit secure and private requests for assistance, and then track their requests and receive personal communication from TASC.  In addition, Clients can review their feature and additional service utilization to ensure they’re optimizing their Plan.

Claims ConneX
Claim ConneX will streamline and simplify the request for reimbursement process, reducing the workload for all concerned.  Available at no additional cost to Client or Participant, when established for a DirectPay Plan, coordination and integration between the health insurance carriers and TASC means claim payments will be timelier and the risk of fax transmission and reception failure will be eliminated.  Paperwork will be reduced, saving everyone time and money!  And with less paperwork, privacy of personal health information will be further protected.

TASC Mobile
Even texting is quickly becoming old school! When launched, TASC Mobile will provide FlexSystem Participants with fast access to TASC on any web-enabled mobile device wherever an Internet connection is available.  TASC Mobile will allow employees another way to securely check balances, view transaction details, transfer funds, make a claim, submit substantiation, and more.  Designed for popular phones like iPhone or Android, TASC Mobile protects against fraudulent activity by verifying user identity and using advance encryption technology to prevent unauthorized access. 

Microbusiness Web Enhancements
TASC has enhanced the web experience for our valued AgriPlanNOW and BizPlanNOW Clients. This upgraded website is designed specifically for small business owners and features some great tools, including the ability to track expenses, manage bank account information, and request a Year End Report. In addition, Clients can access account summaries, training materials, and request service through a MyService Request.  Future enhancements will include the ability to view/edit/print all Plan reports and statements, payroll functionality, conversion to the TASC Card, age 26 tracking, and more!

As you can clearly see, the pace at TASC never slows!  Watch for updates on these and future innovations throughout the rest of 2011.