Health Care Law Blog

ERISA Challenge to Michigan’s Health Insurance Claims Tax is Rejected

On August 31, 2012, a federal district court ruled that the Michigan Health Insurance Claims Assessment Act is not preempted by the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act.  The act imposes a 1% tax on paid health insurance claims for services rendered in Michigan to residents of Michigan.  The tax is assessed against commercial insurers, HMOs, nonprofit health and dental corporations, Medicaid managed care organizations, specialty prepaid health plans, third-party administrators, and group health plan sponsors.  The act, which took effect on January 1, 2012 and expires on December 31, 2013, authorizes the state to collect up to $400 million in revenues each year, which are used to fund the Michigan state share of the Medicaid program.  When combined with the federal multiplier, the tax will generate $2.4 billion in funding for Michigan’s Medicaid program.

The Self-Insurance Institute of America filed a federal court action against the State of Michigan.  The Institute’s complaint alleged that the tax could not be imposed on claims paid by group health plans and third party administrators because it was preempted by ERISA.  ERISA generally preempts state laws that “relate to” any employee benefit plan governed by ERISA.

The federal court rejected the Institute’s arguments.  First, the court held that the act imposes a tax of general applicability and, as a result, does not impermissibly “relate to” ERISA plans.  Requiring group plans and TPAs to pay the tax on paid claims did not meaningfully affect decisions by employers whether to offer health benefits to employees or which services would be covered. 

The court also held that the act did not impose administrative burdens that would interfere with the structure of ERISA plans or affect the benefits offered to group members.  A purpose of ERISA preemption is to permit national uniformity in benefits administration and to protect plans against a patchwork of state laws.  The court concluded that the administrative requirements on group plans and third party administrators that are necessary to comply with the act did not impair ERISA’s policy of establishing “standard procedures to guide processing of claims and disbursement of benefits.”  

Foster Swift filed an amicus curiae brief in this matter on behalf of the Michigan Health and Hospital Association, Michigan State Medical Society, Michigan Osteopathic Association and Small Business Association of Michigan.  The amicus brief supported the State of Michigan’s position that ERISA does not preempt the Act.      

For further information, please contact Richard Kraus, who represented MHA, MSMS, MOA and SBAM in this case.  He can be reached at 517-371-8104 or by using the form below.  Foster Swift’s health care law and employee benefits practice groups have been active in advising clients regarding compliance with the Michigan health claims tax.

Categories: Employee Benefits, Insurance, Tax