• Group health plans are employee welfare benefit plans established by an employer or an employee organization that provide medical benefits directly or through insurance, reimbursement, or otherwise.
• ERISA provides protections for participants and beneficiaries in employee benefit plans (including providing access to plan information) and requires individuals who manage the plans to meet certain fiduciary responsibilities.

One of the most common benefits organizations offer to their employees are health plans. A group health plan is defined as an employee welfare benefit plan established or maintained by an employer or by an employee organization (such as a union), or both, that provides medical care for participants or their dependents directly or through insurance, reimbursement, or otherwise.

Most private sector health plans are covered by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). Among other things, ERISA provides protections for participants and beneficiaries in employee benefit plans (participant rights), including providing access to plan information. Also, those individuals who manage plans (and other fiduciaries) must meet certain standards of conduct under the fiduciary responsibilities specified in the law.