Tuesday, October 27th, 2009
9th Cir: States May Bar Discretionary Clauses in ERISA Plans
Montana’s insurance commissioner has historically disapproved insurance policies that grant discretion to the insurer concerning actions on applications for benefits. The 9th Circuit has upheld that practice, rejecting an insurer’s claim that the practice is preempted by ERISA. Standard Ins. Co. v. Morrison, ___ F.3d ___ (9th Cir. Oct. 27, 2009)