Employer Open Door Forum

Overview:
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The Employer Forum addresses the concerns and questions of employers regarding Medicare and Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP). It is comprised of members of National employer groups across the United States as well as other independent small employers, other interested organizations, and CMS. These employer associations represent millions of employees, not to mention retirees and their families. The Forum functions overall as a vehicle for an ongoing dialogue between the employer community and CMS. The Employer Forum Conference Call is held quarterly for one hour. This was an outgrowth of CMS's Employer - Union Conference where the major outcome was a strongly expressed desire by the employer community to continue an ongoing dialogue with CMS.

CMS staff discusses possible agenda items with the employer community. The emphasis is on communicating and discussing Medicare issues, Medicare related messages and Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) to the employer community for the benefit of their organizations, employees, and retirees. Opportunity is also available for presentations and discussions by employers. Over the years, the Employer Forum has led to employer participation on CMS Task Forces, Workgroups, and Committees needing employer input. Upcoming topics will involve the Affordable Care Act, SHOP and of course Medicare.

Participation ranges from about 30 to 130 Human Resources Directors on the call depending on the agenda topics. Participants have in the past included: GM, Ford, Marriott, Hewitt and Associates, Calpers, Pitney Bowes, GE, IBM and other Fortune 500 companies and other large employers. We also invite participation from CMS Regional Offices, Quality Improvement Organizations, State Health Insurance Assistance Programs, and other interested parties.

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