We advise plan sponsors and fiduciaries on the design, implementation, administration, and termination of all types of health and welfare benefit plans, including medical, dental, cafeteria plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, short and long term disability, tuition reimbursement plans, and voluntary employees' beneficiary associations (VEBAs). We provide a unique and balanced perspective on providing affordable yet strategic benefit packages that maintain employee morale while complying with myriad federal and state laws, including COBRA, HIPAA, GINA, ERISA, the Affordable Care Act, tax laws, and anti-discrimination laws. We also advise sponsors of self-insured health plans and wellness programs on plan design using innovative, data-driven approaches to drive value and improve population health.
Representative Experience
In two separate class actions, in which Pierce Atwood separately represented Unum Life Insurance Company and Sun Life Assurance Company, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit held that using Retained Asset Accounts (RAAs) to pay death benefits claims on group life insurance policies does not violate the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), where the policies either require or permit payment by RAA.
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