What is ERISA?

ERISA
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Michael Presley is a Florida-based attorney that currently practices law at Presley Law & Associates and also serves as the Chief Executive Officer of United MSO of America. An expert attorney in Health Care Law, Michael Presley has defended Medical Malpractice Claims and pursued ERISA claims in Federal Court for clients that include Miami Children’s Hospital.

The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, or ERISA, is a federal law that governs pension and healthcare plan standards in the private sector. The law includes more recent amendments, such as the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. In order to provide protections for plan participants, the law sets minimum standards that include:

1. The provision of important plan information to plan participants.
2. The establishment of fiduciary responsibilities for plan managers to ensure actions are in the best interest of plan participants.
3. The requirement for a grievance and appeals process regarding plan benefits.
4. The right of plan participants to sue plan managers for breaches of their duty or for plan benefits.

The Role of Health Care Risk Managers

Health Care Risk Managers
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Attorney Michael Presley has maintained membership in the Florida Bar for more than 36 years and currently works with clients in the health care industry. In addition to his work as an attorney, Michael Presley is a certified health care risk manager licensed in the state of Florida.

While risk management is relevant to many industries, it may have the most significant impact in health care, which deals with matters of life and death. The role of certified health care risk managers is to minimize the prevalence of and exposure to risks related to safety, finances, and patient care among institutions operating within the medical sector.

The duties of an individual who works as a health care risk manager depend on the needs of the company where he or she is employed. Examples of areas in which a health care risk manager may work include clinical research, claims management, psychology, or emergency preparation. In general, the dynamic nature of the position requires professionals to be flexible and well-rounded, as well as capable of preparing for and dealing with emergency situations. Adept health care risk managers are a key part of saving the lives and livelihoods of patients and personnel through planning, research, and leadership.