Karmen Bickel

As one of the leading associations for employee benefits in the Greater Seattle Area, the Employees Benefits Planning Association (EBPA) can be your source for the practical solutions and innovation insights you need to achieve success in an increasingly complex and global workplace. With the rapid pace of change in the field of employee benefits, it make sense to give yourself every competitive edge possible.

The Oregon Association of Health Underwriters (OAHU) is the Oregon chapter of the National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU). Our mission statement promotes access to quality care by a cooperative effort between consumers, agents, insurers, providers, the legal system and the government through effective legislation and educational programs.

The Portland Human Resource Management Association (PHRMA) is the Portland chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
PHRMA members are business professionals and leaders intentionally impacting people, teams, and organizations by:

-Engaging a diverse, inclusive, equitable and respectful community
-Empowering each other through curiosity, empathy, and a willingness to share knowledge and seek out guidance from others
-Inspiring a network of professionals at… Show more

The Portland Human Resource Management Association (PHRMA) is the Portland chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
PHRMA members are business professionals and leaders intentionally impacting people, teams, and organizations by:

-Engaging a diverse, inclusive, equitable and respectful community
-Empowering each other through curiosity, empathy, and a willingness to share knowledge and seek out guidance from others
-Inspiring a network of professionals at all stages of their career and from all backgrounds and experience Show less

The Worksite Wellness Network (WWN) is comprised of local employers and even wellness professionals who aim at learning and sharing the latest how-to’s on worksite wellness programming. Our membership includes big and small organizations, including non-profits and even 14 government entities, such as Cities and Counties.

One-sixth of our economy is driven by the purchase of healthcare. Yet, it is one of the only purchases consumers make on a regular basis without any regard to cost. Since the vast majority of healthcare expenses are paid by insurers, most consumers have no idea what the healthcare they receive costs, and they have been conditioned not to ask. The ability for consumers to compare costs and quality when making decisions about their healthcare has been virtually eliminated.
We believe there… Show more

One-sixth of our economy is driven by the purchase of healthcare. Yet, it is one of the only purchases consumers make on a regular basis without any regard to cost. Since the vast majority of healthcare expenses are paid by insurers, most consumers have no idea what the healthcare they receive costs, and they have been conditioned not to ask. The ability for consumers to compare costs and quality when making decisions about their healthcare has been virtually eliminated.
We believe there are two barriers to greater price transparency – provider contracts and complexity. The goal of our taskforce is to educate NAHU members on the meaning and importance of healthcare cost and quality transparency so they can advise their clients and promote this fundamental principle of reform. Show less