Lauded by Chambers as having “exceptional client management skills” and a “very diligent and detail-oriented” approach, Mary has over two decades of experience in all aspects of employee benefits.

Currently, her main focus is assisting employers with the implementation of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA), the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and drafting executive compensation and nonqualified deferred compensation plans. Mary assists employers with obtaining Private Letter Rulings from the IRS and she submits comments to the Department of Treasury/IRS and Department of Labor both prior to the issuance of regulations and in response to proposed guidance issued by those agencies.

Mary has extensive experience in handling benefit plans in mergers and acquisitions. Her clients include large publicly-held companies and complex multi-entity health care organizations. Mary has lectured frequently on various employee benefits topics, such as drug pricing under health plans, fiduciary duties for health and welfare plans and executive compensation for many clients and organizations including The Commonwealth Club of California, a National Public Radio (NPR) affiliate and the Western Pension and Benefits Conference. For many years she was a contributing author to the ABA Labor Section’s Employee Benefits Law, published by BNA.

Mary is a Fellow in the American College of Employee Benefits Counsel, the highest level of recognition for an ERISA attorney. Selection as a Fellow reflects the College’s judgment that a nominee has made significant contributions to the advancement of the employee benefits field. Mary is also a Chambers rated lawyer and has been listed as a Top Rated Employee Benefits Attorney by Northern California Super Lawyers since 2017.

ARTICLES AND UPCOMING PRESENTATIONS

• Health Plans and Insurers Required to Cover At-Home COVID Tests
• Delay of Some Key Provisions of the Consolidated Appropriations Act and the Affordable Care Act’s Transparency Requirements
• New FAQs Clarify Coverage Requirements for COVID-19 Testing and Vaccines
• Outbreak Extension Period — When Does It End?
• An Overview of the Group Health Plan Provisions of the Consolidated Appropriations Act and the Final Transparency in Coverage Regulations
• Flexible Spending Account Relief in Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021
• COVID-19 — Health and Welfare Provisions in the CARES Act
• Health and Welfare Plans — Guidance for Employers Navigating Challenges of the COVID-19 Pandemic
• Two Interesting New Rules Regarding Prescription Drugs — What is Really Going On?
• Improper Delegation of Authority Could Cost a Plan its Deferential Standard of Review
• Proposed Regulations for Health Reimbursement Arrangements — Impact of the Trump Administration on the Affordable Care Act
• Does the Trump Administration Control the Fate of the ACA?
• Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangements Available for Small Employers
• EEOC Issues Final Wellness Rules Under the ADA and GINA
• Understanding How Medicare Coverage Affects HSA Eligibility to Avoid Surprise Tax Penalties
• IRS Issues New Draft Forms and Instructions for ACA-Required Reporting in 2016
• Opt-Out Payments and Health Coverage Affordability Issues

RECENT PRESENTATIONS

• TRUCKER HUSS WEBINAR: Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs)—What ERISA Fiduciary Obligations and Duties Relate to Prescription Drug Plans?
• TRUCKER HUSS WEBINAR: Family-Forming Benefit Plans—ERISA and Tax Considerations
• TRUCKER HUSS WEBINAR: Health Plan Fiduciaries—Ways to Avoid Litigation Based on High Fees
• TRUCKER HUSS WEBINAR: End of the COVID-19 National and Public Health Emergencies—Action Items for Health Plan Sponsors
• TRUCKER HUSS WEBINAR: Providing Benefits for Abortion Services Post-Dobbs — Ways to Protect the Plan Sponsor
• TRUCKER HUSS WEBINAR: Abortion Services and Possible Design Changes for Self-Funded Health Plans
• TRUCKER HUSS WEBINAR: For Health Plan Sponsors—How to Use the CAA to Negotiate a Better Administrative Services Agreement
• TRUCKER HUSS WEBINAR: Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs)—A Secret Behind High Drug Costs
• TRUCKER HUSS WEBINAR: Flexible Spending Accounts—IRS Guidance on Permissive Changes
• TRUCKER HUSS WEBINAR: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 — Understanding the Health and Welfare and Retirement Provisions
• TRUCKER HUSS WEBINAR: COVID-19 Guidance for Health Plans: Putting It All Together!
• TRUCKER HUSS WEBINAR: ERISA and Tax Considerations for Severance Benefit Plans
• TRUCKER HUSS WEBINAR: COVID-19 Impact on Employee Benefit Plans
• WEBINAR: Bringing “Transparent Thinking” to PBM Management (Co-presented by Trucker Huss and PBGH)
• ACA Repeal: Where Things Stand—And What Lies Ahead
• The Future of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Under a Trump Presidency and GOP-Controlled Congress
• Compensation Planning for Non-Profits and Governmental Entities—Newly Issued Code Section 457(f) Proposed Regulations Offer Clarity and New Opportunities in Designing Executive Compensation
• Compensation Planning for Tax-Exempt Entities: Navigating IRC Section 457(f)
• High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)—How Do Those Plans Work?
• Health Care Reform Information Reporting – The Deadline for Filing Forms 1094-c and 1095-c Is Approaching. Are You Prepared?
• Wellness Programs-Overview of Laws Regulating Wellness Programs Including the Recently Issued Proposed EEOC Regulations!
• Health Care Reform Information Reporting (code Sections 6055 and 6056)–Forms and Instructions Issued!
• Reporting Obligations Under IRC 6055 & 6056
• Shared Responsibility for Employers Regarding Health Coverage-The Pay or Play Rules