Michelle Turner, MBA, CEBS is an experienced employee benefits compliance professional in the insurance industry. In her previous roles as a Compliance Consultant with Alera Group and a Compliance Manager for one of the original 24 founding independent Alera Group firms, she has a demonstrated history of providing guidance, mentoring brokers, and writing dozens of articles in layman’s terms on a broad range of laws applicable to health and welfare plans, including ERISA, PPACA, COBRA, HIPAA, and IRC.

Michelle’s passion for helping others inspired her to start a blog in 2019 and share her knowledge on the hurdles she helps employers resolve. Her posts stem from actual client questions, misconceptions heard from multiple clients or a situation where the client “didn’t know what they didn’t know.” If there is something within her area of expertise (below) that you are wondering about, let her know. She is always happy to be helpful.

During her 17+ years in the employee benefits industry, she recognized a need to provide compliance support that is beyond an insurance agent, broker, or TPAs wheelhouse, yet does not rise to the level of legal counsel, so in 2021 she started her own consulting company.

Michelle applies her industry experience, expert knowledge, and desire for helping others be successful to guide her clients through situational employee benefits compliance issues on an “executive-as-a-service” model approach. This option allows employers to benefit from a compliance executive “on staff,” to provide answers to tough questions with a fresh pair of eyes, an informed and trusted mind and high-quality results without a regular employee’s overhead.

Originally from Wisconsin, Michelle is a licensed General Lines Agent (Life, Accident, Health & HMO) and a graduate of Texas A&M University-Commerce, where she earned her Master of Business Administration degree. She also holds a Certified Employee Benefit Specialist^® (CEBS) designation and is CEBS^®-Compliant.  Michelle resides in Cedar Park, TX, with her husband and their three dogs. When she is not working, Michelle enjoys reading, being outdoors, gardening, hiking and is an avid cyclist, riding a tandem bicycle with her husband over 100+ miles each week.

Areas of Expertise

• Affordable Care Act Compliance
• Health & Welfare Benefits Compliance
• Healthcare Laws & Regulations
• Section 125/Cafeteria Plans
• Tax Advantage Arrangements (FSAs, HSAs, HRAs)
• ERISA
• Benefits Administration – fully and self-insured

“Success isn’t just what you accomplish in life or gain for yourself. You are a true success when you help others be successful.”

DISCLAIMER: Michelle is not a lawyer. Her blog posts are not legal advice. They are based on her professional experience and understanding of the laws and regulations. Whether expressed or implied, nothing contained herein should be construed as legal or other tax advice or opinions and is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified attorney or accountant.