Welfare Benefit Plans

The focus on welfare benefits plans -- health care, cafeteria plans, life insurance and other benefits -- has intensified in recent years as the degree of regulation has mushroomed. The breadth of Sonnenschein attorneys' experience mirrors the number and type of welfare plans offered. We are frequently asked to assess clients' existing plans and policies in light of health care and privacy legislation (HIPAA) and ongoing regulatory developments.

Plan design. We regularly help companies develop and implement their welfare benefit plans, including traditional packaged plans, as well as self-insured medical plans, welfare benefit funding vehicles, split-dollar life insurance and cafeteria benefit arrangements. We have partnered with global and national clients to develop innovative plans that meet their own human resource needs.

Plan defense and evaluation. We often represent clients in defending their administration of plans and payment or denial of benefits. We are experienced in handling both arbitration proceedings and claims litigated in court.