Comprehensive Training Program

Gain in-depth knowledge and tools to fulfill ERISA obligations and reduce liability exposure

Expert-Led Instruction

Virtual structured guidance on governance, financial management, and regulatory compliance

Practical Resources

Access 640 pages of case studies, checklists, and downloadable materials to mitigate fiduciary risk

About the Course

This comprehensive training program equips self-funded health and welfare plan fiduciaries with the knowledge and tools necessary to fulfill their ERISA obligations, reduce liability exposure, and protect plan assets. Built for real-world application, the course provides structured, in-depth instruction on the governance, financial management, regulatory compliance, and oversight responsibilities that come with fiduciary status. Participants will gain actionable insights through expert-led video modules, case studies, downloadable resources, and practical checklists designed to help identify and mitigate fiduciary risk. Whether you're newly assuming fiduciary duties or seeking to update your knowledge to meet 2024–2025 compliance expectations, this training ensures you're fully prepared to manage your responsibilities confidently.

About the Creator

Frank Pennachio is a nationally recognized expert in employee benefits, self-funded health plans, and fiduciary risk management. With over 40 years of experience in the insurance and benefits industry, Frank has dedicated his career to helping employers, brokers, and advisors navigate the complex landscape of ERISA compliance, healthcare cost containment, and risk mitigation. In addition, he is the author of The Silent Danger: Understanding Fiduciary Risks in Self-Funded Health Plans which brings deep insight and actionable guidance to one of the most misunderstood areas of employee benefits.  Frank is a sought-after speaker, trainer, and consultant, known for translating legal and regulatory obligations into practical strategies that protect both employers and employees. His mission is simple: to elevate fiduciary awareness and ensure organizations fulfill their responsibilities with integrity and precision.

Curriculum

9 Chapters · 113 Lessons

    1. Introduction and Overview Free preview
    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Navigating Regulatory Maze

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Introduction to ERISA and Self-funded Health Plans

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Determining Fiduciary Status

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Core Fiduciary Duties

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      ERISA Prohibited Transactions

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      ERISA Audit Preparation

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      2.1.1.Self-funded vs Fully Insured PDF

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      2.1.2 Self-Funded ERISA Plan Establishment Checklist Timeline

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      2.1.3 Self-Funded vs. Fully Insured Cost-Benefit Analysis Templates

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      2.1.4 Self-funded Health Plan Risk Assessment Matrcies

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      2.2.1 ERISA Fiduciary Case Study

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      2.2.2 ERISA Section 3(21) Fiduciary Analysis Questionnaire - Self-Funded Health Plans

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      2.2.3 ERISA Fiduciary Identification _ Responsibility Mapping Tools

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      Quiz: ERISA Fundamentals

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      Governance Structure

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Plan Document Compliance

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Prohibited Transactions

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      Administrative Service Provider Selection and Oversight

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      3.1.1 Self-Funded Health Plan Fiduciary Committee Member Orientation Program

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      3.1.2 Self-Funded Health Plan Fiduciary Committee Operating Procedures and Policies Copy

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      3.1.3 ERISA Fiduciary Risk Assessment Protocols for Self-Funded Health Plans

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      3.1.4 Operating procedures and policy templates fiduciary committee

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      3.2.1 ERISA Compliance Checklists for Mandatory Provision Inclusion

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      3.2.3 Plan Document and Summary Plan Description (SPD) Checklist

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      3.2.4 ERISA Document Distribution Tracking System for Self-Funded Plans

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      3.3.1 Prohibited Transaction Examples for Self-Funded Health Plans Under ERISA

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      3.3.3 ERISA Conflict of Interest Dislosure Template

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      3.4.1 ERISA Self-Funded Health Plan RFP Templates

    15. (Included in full purchase)

      3.4.2 TPA-ASO Selection and Engagement Checklist

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      3.4.3 TPA_ASO Vendor Scorecard Template

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      3.4.4 ERISA Self-Funded Health Plan Performance Review Protocols

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      3.4.5 Contract Compliance Monitoring and Audit Protocols for Self-Funded Health Plans

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      3.4.6 Self-Audit Protocols for Self-Funded Health Plan Governance and Administration

    20. (Included in full purchase)

      Quiz: Governance and Administration

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Prudent Funding Strategies

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Investment of Plan Assets

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Financial Reporting and Monitoring

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      4.2.1 Specimen Trustee Governance Manual

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      4.2.2 Specimen Investment Policy Statement

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      4.2.3 ERISA Plan Assets Determination Checklist _ Analysis

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      4.3.1 ERISA Self-Funded Health Plan Compliance Calendar

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      4.3.2 ERISA Audit Preparation Guide for Self-Funded Health Plans

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      4.3.3 IRS Form 5500 Tutorial

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      4.1.1 Self-Funded Health Plan Actuarial Valuation Guide Framework for Commissioning and Review

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      Quiz: Funding and Financial Management

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      ERISA Compliance Framework

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      ACA and other Federal Mandates

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Fiduciary Liability and Risk Management

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Claims Administration and Appeals

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      5.1.1 Multi-Regulatory Compliance Calendar for Self-Funded Health Plans

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      5.1.2 Voluntary Fiduciary Correction Program _ U.S. Department of Labor

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      5.2.1 Integrated ERISA Compliance Assessment Tool

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      5.2.2 Integrated Federal Compliance Policy and Procedure Templates

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      5.2.3 Cross-Regulatory Compliance Matrix_ ACA_ HIPAA_ MHPAEA_ GINA_ and COBRA

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      5.2.4 Final Rules Under the Mental Health Parity and Addition Equity Act (May 2025)

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      5.2.5 HIPAA Risk Assessment

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      5.3.2 ERISA Fiduciary Risk Assessment Matrices

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      5.3.3 Documentation Defense Guide for Self-Funded Health Plan Fiduciaries

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      5.3.4 ERISA Fiduciary Decision Documentation Templates

    15. (Included in full purchase)

      5.3.5 ERISA Bond Requirements

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      5.4.1 Specific Claims Processing Fiduciary Duties

    17. (Included in full purchase)

      5.4.2 ERISA Claims Procedure Compliance and Audit

    18. (Included in full purchase)

      5.2.6 ERISA Transparency in Coverage Compliance Assessment Tool

    19. (Included in full purchase)

      5.3.1 Sources of ERISA Fiduciary Liability

    20. (Included in full purchase)

      5.4.3 ERISA Self-Funded Health Plan Claims Documentation _ QA Protocols

    21. (Included in full purchase)

      Quiz: Compliance and Risk Management

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Vendor Selection and Contracting

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Pharmacy Benefit Management

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Specialty Vendors Management

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      6.1.2 ERISA Contract Negotiation Guide_ Self-Funded Health Plan Vendor Agreements

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      6.1.3 ERISA Section 408(b)(2) Disclosure Requirements

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      6.2.1 Primary Fiduciary Duties Selecting and Monitoring PBMs

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      6.2.2 PBM Fiduciary Oversight Checklist

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      6.2.3 PBM Evaluation Tool for Self-Funded Health Plans

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      6.1.1 ERISA Self-Funded Health Plan Vendor Scorecard Template

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      6.2.5 ERISA Fiduciary Best Practices Specialty Drug Management

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      6.2.6 Formulary_Management_Best_Practices_ERISA

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      6.3.1 Medical Management Company Assessment Tool

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      6.3.2 Direct Contracting Assessment Tool

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      6.3.3 Reference Based Pricing Assessment Tool

    15. (Included in full purchase)

      6.3.4 Centers of Excellence Contracting Guidelines for Self-Funded Health Plans

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      6.2.4 Best Practices for PBM Rebate Arrangements in Self-Funded Health Plans

    17. (Included in full purchase)

      Quiz: Vendor Management and Outsourcing

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Documentation Best Practices

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Participant Communication Strategies

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Case Studies in Fiduciary Decision-Making

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      7.1.1 ERISA Fiduciary File System for Self-Funded Health Plans

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      7.1.2 ERISA Fiduciary Decision-Making Toolkit Based on Case Studies

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      7.1.3 Plan Design Change Communication

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      7.1.4 ERISA Documentation Completeness Assessment Tools

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      7.2.1 Required and Recommended Participant Communications

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      7.2.2 Participant Communication Checklist for Self-Funded Health Plans

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      7.2.3 Fiduciary Communication Compliance Guide for Self-Funded Health Plans

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      7.2.6 Electronic Disclosure Compliance Checklist for Self-Funded Health Plans

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      7.2.7 Implementation Strategies for ERISA Communications

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      7.2.8 ERISA Translation Services and Tools for Multi-Language Participant Populations

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      7.3.1 Core Fiduciary Decision-Making Toolkit

    15. (Included in full purchase)

      7.3.2 ERISA Fiduciary Decision-Making Toolkit Based on Case Studies

    16. (Included in full purchase)

      7.2.4 ERISA Annual Disclosure Communication Calendar Templates

    17. (Included in full purchase)

      7.2.5 ERISA Accessibility Compliance Tools for Participants with Disabilities

    18. (Included in full purchase)

      Quiz: Case Studies in Fiduciary Decision-Making

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Recent Court Decisions

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Regulatory Developments

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Future of Self-Funded Plans

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      8.1.3 ERISA Case Law Monitoring-Policy Update Log Template

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      8.2.1 Practical Toolkit for Fiduciaries Navigating the Evolving Employee-Benefits Landscape

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      8.2.2 Audit Response Protocol for DOL - IRS Investigations

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      8.3.1 ERISA Self-Funded Healthcare Plan Resource Library

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      8.1.1 Guide to Fiduciary Duties Under Evolving Case Law

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      8.1.2 Fiduciary Litigation Response Guide

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      Quiz: Emerging Issues and Trends

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Final Exam

Ready to Excel in Fiduciary Roles?

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