Credit: Thinkstock

A new federal appeals court decision could affect how easily patients or others can sue employer-sponsored health plans and their administrators over benefits decisions in state court.

A three-judge panel at the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday that a 2020 Supreme Court ruling on a benefits law case, Rutledge v. Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, does not increase plaintiffs’ ability to sue over benefits decisions in state court.


NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2025 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

BenefitsPRO

Join BenefitsPRO

Don’t miss crucial news and insights you need to navigate the shifting employee benefits industry. Join BenefitsPRO.com now!

  • Unlimited access to BenefitsPRO.com - your roadmap to thriving in a disrupted environment
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com
  • Exclusive discounts on BenefitsPRO.com and ALM events.

Already have an account? Sign In Now
Join BenefitsPRO

Copyright © 2025 ALM Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.