A collection of health insurance experts are scheduled to meet in Dallas in July to discuss current legislative efforts for health care reform and the sponsor, BenefitMall, plans to introduce an online community to continue the discussion

The event, sponsored by the nation’s largest general agency, is billed as an educational and networking event to “exchange ideas and find solutions to the challenges they are facing in the marketplace today,” according to a BenefitMall statement on the event.

The daylong session, called the New World of Healthcare Forum, is scheduled for July 28 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Dallas.

The goal of the event is to “encourage and empower their broker and carrier partners to join them in their commitment to participate in healthcare reform.”

Plans include discussions on new legislation and the economy, consumer buying patterns, and growing and managing their own businesses.

Bernard DiFiore

More than 150 attendees are expected, and discussions will be led by Janet Trautwein, executive vice president and CEO of the National Association of Health Underwriters; Mike McCallister, CEO of Humana; Brian Sassi, president of WellPoint; and Ken Fasola, former president of Secure Horizon.

“Through the New World of Healthcare Forum, we will unite the very best of our carrier and broker partners to exchange ideas and find solutions that can make an impact on healthcare reform and the future of our industry,” said Bernard DiFiore, president and CEO of BenefitMall.

BenefitMall plans to unveil www.healthcareexchange.com, an online community powered by BenefitMall, that the company said it hopes will be the platform for industry professionals to continue to communicate with their colleagues on their efforts after the forum. Additionally, the site will allow industry experts to weigh in on topics that are current to the health insurance market and find pertinent information on the latest activities in healthcare reform.