People

Jessica Forbes Olson | Partner

Jessica has over 20 years of experience focusing on health and welfare plan compliance. She partners with employers to design and manage a wide range of health and welfare plans, including health, wellness, dental, flexible benefit, disability, life insurance, fringe benefit, and severance plans. Her expertise includes compliance with Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the Internal Revenue Code, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), and the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Key Engagements

  • Successfully defended an employer during a Department of Labor audit that focused on the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA),resulting in no action taken against the employer.
  • Opposed a $4 million employer shared responsibility payment, securing a swift IRS ruling in the employer’s favor.
  • Facilitated multimillion-dollar outsourcing contracts for multiple employers,streamlining human resources and benefits administration.
  • Acts as HIPAA counsel for several Fortune 500 companies.
  • Resolved a Department of Labor audit of an employee assistance program (EAP)with no adverse findings.
  • Guides employers through amendments or terminations of retiree medical plans.
  • Prepares employee benefit plan documentation, including plan documents,amendments, trust agreements, summary plan descriptions, and employee notices.
  • Manages claims and appeals processes for participant and provider disputes.
  • Advises on collectively bargained health and welfare benefits.
  • Ensures compliance with state and federal rules governing multiple employer welfare arrangements (MEWAs).
  • Provides strategic advice on on-site clinic compliance.

    • Prior Experience

    Before joining BLG PLLC, Jessica was a partner at Fox Rothschild LLP and practiced at Dorsey & Whitney LLP.

    Education

  • J.D., cum laude, University of Wisconsin Law School
  • B.A., Economics and Business Management, with highest distinction, with honors, Scholar of the College Award, University of Minnesota–Morris

    • Bar Admissions

  • Minnesota
  • Wisconsin (inactive)

    • Presentations

  • “Impact of the End of the Public Health Emergency on Benefit Plans,” Hosted By: Minnesota State Bar Association (April 2023)
  • “Employee Benefits Updates: Health and Welfare Plans” (December 2022)
  • “Telehealth Considerations for Employers,” Hosted By: Association of Corporate Counsel (October 2022)
  • “Legal Trends in Employee Benefits” (October 2021)
  • “Data Risks for Employee Benefit Plans,” Hosted By: Minnesota CLE 2020 | Advanced Employee Benefits Workshop (February 2020)
  • “Prepaid Legal Plans” (April 2019)
  • “Reference Based Pricing” (April 2019)
  • “Department of Labor Audits” (November 2018)
  • “Pay or Play Updates and Lessons Learned” (November 2018)
  • “Benefit Implications of #MeToo Movement” (November 2018)
  • “MHPAEA Testing Reminder” (November 2018)
  • “Health & Welfare Updates and MHPAEA Disclosures” (September 2017)
  • “New Requirements Under Final Disability Claims Regulations” ( April 2017)
  • “Health Care Reform Update” (April 2017)
  • “ACA Section 1557 Nondiscrimination” (October 2016)
  • “ASA Best Practices” (October 2016)
  • “HIPAA Audits” (May 2016)
  • “Health Care Reform Relief” (May 2016)
  • “Plan Limits on Bringing Claims and Denial Letters” (May 2016)
  • “Health Care Reform” (October 2015)
  • “SSN Solicitation” (October 2015)
  • “Health Care Reform Cadillac Tax Update” (October 2015)
  • “Wellness Programs and the EEOC” (April 2015)
  • “Cafeteria Plans,” Hosted By: Advanced Employee Benefits Workshop,Minnesota State Bar Association (February 2015)
  • “Planning for Health Provider Claims Against Your Health Plan” (October 2014)
  • “New Cafeteria Plan Election Change Events” (October 2014)
  • “ERISA Authorized Representative vs. Assignee” (October 2014)
  • “Protecting Your Medical Plan Against Problem Providers” (October 2014)
  • “Executive Physical Programs” (June 2014)
  • “Health Plan Identifying Resources” (June 2014)
  • “Annual Executive Physicals” (April 2014)
  • “Health Care Reform Update/HIPAA HITECH Update” (April 2014)
  • “Health Care Reform” (April 2014)
  • “Health Care Reform Update” (September 2013)
  • “Health Care Reform Taxes and Fees” (March 2013)
  • “Health Care Reform: Approaching Deadlines & Decisions” (October 2012)
  • “HITECH ACT: Implications for Business Associates” (July 2009)
  • “New Federal Legislation Affecting Health Plans” (March 2009)
  • “COBRA: Avoiding the Bite,” Hosted By: Washington State Council Employment Law & Legislative Conference (March 2009)
  • “Health Care Trends in 2008 and Beyond” (February 2008)

    • Community Involvement

    Jessica currently serves as pro bono counsel to several Minnesota nonprofits and has volunteered as a mock trial coach for a local high school.

    Contact

    30 South Ninth Street, Suite 700
    Minneapolis, MN 55402

    (T): (612) 203-2751

    Jessica Forbes Olson