Opinion ID: 24847
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: ERISA Plan

Text: 15 The first element of preemption-whether the state law claims address areas of exclusive federal concern, such as the right to receive benefits under an ERISA plan-is met. Clearly, Hollis claims a right to receive benefits under the disability insurance policy Provident issued. However, this fact alone is insufficient to meet the first element of preemption. He must claim a right to receive benefits under an ERISA plan for preemption to occur. See Weaver, 13 F.3d at 176. Hollis concedes that Graduate Supply established and maintained an ERISA plan 1 . The issue, therefore, is whether Hollis's disability insurance policy with Provident constitutes part of Graduate Supply's ERISA plan. 16 As mentioned above, under the terms of the Graduate Supply plan, a salesman would choose a disability insurance policy, and Graduate Supply would pay $600 per year in premiums on that policy. Hollis chose a disability policy from Provident, and Graduate Supply paid $600 per year in premiums on that policy. Holis argues that his Provident Policy was not part of Graduate Supply's ERISA plan because he selected Provident as his insurance company, while all the other salesmen selected Lincoln Life. The terms of the Graduate supply plan, however, provided that Graduate Supply would pay $600 regardless of which insurance company was selected. With respect to disability insurance, Graduate Supply treated Hollis the same as it treated any other salesman. Thus, Hollis's Provident policy was part of Graduate Supply's ERISA plan. 17