02 Sep 2026 CDB Customer Conference 2026 CDB Customer Conference Wednesday, September 2, 2026 (12:00 AM to 11:59 PM) 4.75 PDCs Provider: Custom Design Benefits Course Name: 2026 CDB Customer Conference Speaker: Julie Mueller, Matt Ohrt, Ryan Jankord, Preston Pomykai, Jeff Auten, Dawna Newman, Melissa Nunez, Maisie Weir, Adam Russo, Amanda Guinan Program Type: Conference Registration URL: http://www.customdesignbenefits.com 2026 CDB Customer Conference, Mason, Ohio Email Details Participants will be able to: (1) identify common drivers of escalating healthcare costs within employer-sponsored health plans; (2) evaluate traditional health plan structures and recognize inefficiencies that impact organizational budgets and employee outcomes; (3) apply innovative strategies to improve affordability while maintaining or enhancing quality of care; (4) strengthen vendor management and accountability to ensure value and transparency in benefits delivery; and (5) align health benefits strategy with broader business objectives and workforce needs Participants will be able to: (1) Define Direct Primary Care (DPC) and explain how the membership-based model differs from traditional primary care delivery; (2) evaluate how DPC can enhance employee access to care, improve the overall experience, and reduce total healthcare costs for employers; and (3) identify the types of organizations best suited for DPC adoption and outline key considerations for integrating DPC into plan design, including self-funded strategies and implementation steps. Participants will be able to: (1) Explain the growth and financial impact of specialty infusion therapies on patients, providers, and employer health plans; (2) assess current specialty infusion delivery models and identify challenges related to patient experience, access, and cost; (3) identify strategies to improve care delivery by prioritizing patient-centered approaches while enhancing efficiency and managing costs. Attendees will (1) gain practical insights into the continued impact of GLP-1 medications on employer health plan spend, (2) emerging federal rebate and PBM transparency legislation, and (3) the growing implications of Trump administration drug pricing initiatives including TrumpRx and Most Favored Nation (MFN) pricing models. The session will focus on how these changes may affect plan costs, PBM contracting strategies, fiduciary responsibilities, employee access, and long-term pharmacy trend management. Participants will be able to: (1) Analyze current trends shaping the evolution of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and their impact on workforce performance; (2) differentiate between traditional utilization metrics and more strategic measures that link EAPs to employee engagement, retention, and business outcomes; and (3) apply strategies to position EAPs as proactive, value-driven resources that enhance workforce resilience and support organizational success. Participants in this session will be able to: (1) Understand the key challenges associated with the No Surprises Act (NSA) and IDR process, including rising dispute volumes and data integrity issues; (2) identify operational gaps and pain points impacting IDR efficiency, such as workflow breakdowns and ineligible claim submissions; and (3) explore how AI-enabled negotiation and data insights can improve outcomes, reduce friction, and strengthen dispute resolution strategies. Participants will be able to: (1) Describe how data, analytics, and technology have transformed the design and management of self-funded health plans; (2) evaluate innovative plan design strategies that promote cost and quality transparency while encouraging members to make more informed healthcare decisions; and (3) identify actionable approaches to enhance engagement, optimize costs, and implement forward-thinking solutions in self-funded plan management. Details You're Registered!