Bio Filter Option
Morgan Lewis
Fattahian

Saghi Fattahian

Partner

Chicago Phone +1.312.324.1744 Fax +1.312.324.1001

110 North Wacker Drive//Chicago, IL 60606-1511//United States

Saghi (Sage) Fattahian counsels clients on all aspects of health and welfare plans. She works with clients to comply with the complicated, shifting requirements under the US Internal Revenue Code, ERISA, ACA, COBRA, HIPAA, MHPAEA, GINA, and state and local laws. A co-leader of the firm’s Reproductive Rights Task Force, she assists health and welfare plans and their sponsors with daily operations and plan administration, including preparing and maintaining plan documents and related materials; reviewing and negotiating services agreements with third parties; consulting on operational issues; and assisting with claims and appeals.

Sage also consults with clients to design and implement innovative, cost savings designs, such as high-deductible health plan/health savings account (HDHP/HSA) combinations, health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs), and health flexible spending accounts (FSAs). Sage represents health and welfare plan clients facing federal agency audits and helps them to limit their liability through comprehensive legal review.

Awards and Affiliations

Recommended, Labor and employment: Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: design, The Legal 500 US (2021, 2022)

Member, Practice Group of the Year, Benefits, Law360 (2022)

Member, Law Firm of the Year, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation, Chambers USA (2019)

Member, Law Firm of the Year, Employee Benefits (ERISA Law), US News/Best Lawyers – Best Law Firms (2019)

Admissions

  • Illinois

Education

  • John Marshall Law School, 2002, J.D.
  • John Marshall Law School, 2004, LL.M.
  • University of Illinois, 1998, B.A.

Sectors

Services

Regions

Events

4/12/2023 - Hot Topics in Employee Benefits: What We’re Seeing – April 2023
9/15/2022 - Worldwide Employee Benefits Network September 2022 Meeting
6/3/2022 - Employee Benefits and Cybersecurity and Privacy Issues: 2022 Update
10/14/2021 - Hot Topics in Employee Benefits: What We’re Seeing – October 2021
10/6/2021 - DOL ERISA Enforcement 2021 Update
9/29/2021 - New Transparency Rules Surprise Billing Protections for 2022
6/30/2021 - Hot Topics in Employee Benefits: What We’re Seeing – June 2021
4/15/2021 - Hot Topics in Employee Benefits: What We’re Seeing – April 2021
3/11/2021 - Increased Flexibility for FSAs Provided Under New IRS Guidance: Notice 2021-15
2/18/2021 - Consolidated Appropriations Act: Impact on Health and Welfare Plans
1/21/2021 - Hot Topics in Employee Benefits: What We’re Seeing – January 2021
10/21/2020 - Navigating (and Avoiding) DOL Enforcement Actions Against ERISA Group Health Plans and Providers
5/27/2020 - Mission Critical Benefits in a Pandemic Economy
5/20/2020 - Extended ERISA Deadlines Permitted Election Changes and Extended Claim Periods
4/8/2020 - CARES Act: Benefits, Compensation, and Payroll Tax Considerations
3/24/2020 - Responding to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus: Top-of-Mind Employee Benefits Questions for Employers
10/20/2019 - 65th Annual Employee Benefits Conference
10/3/2019 - Hot Topics in Employee Benefits: What We're Seeing – October 2019
7/16/2019 - Final HRA Regulations: Roadmap to the Future or Bridge to Nowhere?
6/4/2019 - Hot Topics in Employee Benefits: What We’re Seeing - June 2019
5/23/2017 - 2017 Technology May-rathon: Benefits and Compensation – Mission Critical for Tech Company Success
6/8/2016 - Hot Topics in Employee Benefits: What We’re Seeing – June 2016
5/10/2016 - 2016 Technology May-rathon: Breaking the Code: Employee Benefits/Executive Compensation
3/30/2016 - Consumer-Driven Healthcare Post-ACA
11/12/2015 - DOL Health Plan Audits Post-ACA
10/21/2015 - In-House Benefits Counsel Network’s Fourth National Conference
8/11/2015 - Reefer Madness: Moving Beyond the Cult Film and Into the Workplace
6/10/2015 - Hot Topics in Employee Benefits — What We’re Seeing – June 2015
5/14/2015 - Technology May-rathon: Employee Benefits/Executive Compensation Issues Facing Tech Companies
7/25/2013 - After the Delay: Remaining ACA Employer and Group Health Plan Considerations for 2013 and 2014
2/28/2013 - The Road to 2014: ACA Considerations for Employers
2/8/2013 - HIPAA Privacy Compliance Initiative: Final Rules Impacting Employer Health Plans
11/8/2012 - ISBA’s National Healthcare Reform and Its Effect on Illinois Employers and Health Insurance Seminar
4/17/2012 - How to Prepare for a HIPAA Audit
3/28/2012 - Summaries of Benefits and Coverage Due This Fall
6/16/2010 - Healthcare Reform: What Employers Need to Know Now

News

12/7/2022 - Financial Times Ranks Morgan Lewis Among Most Innovative Law Firms in North America
1/28/2022 - Employers Push for Renewal of Expired Covid Telehealth Waiver, Bloomberg Law
10/1/2021 - Morgan Lewis Promotes 39 Partners
3/15/2021 - How the New COVID-19 Relief Package Impacts Employers, HR Magazine
1/21/2021 - Appropriations Act Requires Employer Actions to Ensure Mental Health Parity, SHRM
11/11/2020 - Justices Seem Unlikely to Strike Down Entire Affordable Care Act, SHRM
3/4/2020 - Amid Coronavirus Concerns, Don’t Forget HIPAA Privacy, HR Daily Advisor
10/16/2017 - Morgan Lewis Advises Aramark in $1 Billion Acquisition of AmeriPride Services

Publications

2/16/2023 - DOL Continues Active ERISA Enforcement and Focus on Cybersecurity, Including Health and Welfare Plans
2/3/2023 - Plan Sponsors and Administrators: Prepare for the End of the COVID-19 Emergency
1/5/2023 - Evolving Laws and Litigation Post–Dobbs: The State of Reproductive Rights as of January 2023
11/18/2022 - Evolving Laws and Litigation Post–Dobbs: The State of Reproductive Rights as of November 18
10/27/2022 - Evolving Laws and Litigation Post–Dobbs: The State of Reproductive Rights as of October 26
10/11/2022 - Evolving Laws and Litigation Post–Dobbs: The State of Reproductive Rights as of October 11
10/6/2022 - House Passes Mental Health Matters Act: What Employers, Insurers, and ERISA Plan Administrators Need to Know
9/29/2022 - Evolving Laws and Litigation Post–Dobbs: The State of Reproductive Rights as of September 29
9/21/2022 - Evolving Laws and Litigation Post–Dobbs: The State of Reproductive Rights as of September 21
9/13/2022 - Evolving Laws and Litigation Post–Dobbs: The State of Reproductive Rights as of September 13
8/31/2022 - Evolving Laws and Litigation Post–Dobbs: The State of Reproductive Rights as of August 30
8/23/2022 - Evolving Laws and Litigation Post–Dobbs: The State of Reproductive Rights as of August 23
8/19/2022 - What Employers Should Know About Mpox, Bloomberg Law
8/11/2022 - Evolving Laws and Litigation Post–Dobbs: The State of Reproductive Rights as of August 10
8/3/2022 - Evolving Laws and Litigation Post–Dobbs: The State of Reproductive Rights as of August 3
7/27/2022 - Evolving Laws and Litigation Post–Dobbs: The State of Reproductive Rights as of July 27
7/20/2022 - Preparing for the End of COVID-19 Emergency Periods: To-Dos for Plan Sponsors and Administrators
7/19/2022 - Evolving Laws and Litigation Post–Dobbs: The State of Reproductive Rights as of July 19
7/11/2022 - Group Health Plan Coverage Considerations for Employers after the Overturning of Roe v. Wade, Practical Law
6/24/2022 - Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health: Implications for Employers and Employer Plan Sponsors
5/4/2022 - IRS Adjusts HSA Amounts to Account for Inflation
3/22/2022 - Special Telehealth Rules for HSAs Return—Briefly
3/7/2022 - Surprise! Texas District Court Strikes Down Portions of No Surprises Act
2/18/2022 - Mental Health Parity Compliance: Report to Congress Sheds Light on NQTL Comparative, Practical Guidance
2/7/2022 - New Guidance Enhances Flexibility for Covering OTC COVID-19 Tests
2/4/2022 - Mental Health Parity Compliance: Report to Congress Sheds Light on NQTL Comparative Analyses Requirement
1/14/2022 - Departments Release FAQs on Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Tests and Other Preventive Services
1/4/2022 - Temporary Enforcement Policy and Guidance on ERISA Disclosure Requirements for Group Health Plan Services
11/9/2021 - Health and Welfare Plan Year-End Reminders
8/6/2021 - IRS Provides Second Round of FAQs on COBRA Subsidies
7/29/2021 - Departments Release FAQs on HIV PrEP Coverage
7/29/2021 - LawFlash: Biden-Harris Administration Issues Part 1 of Surprise Billing Rule
7/21/2021 - Biden-Harris Administration Issues Part I of Surprise Billing Rule
5/24/2021 - IRS Guidance on American Rescue Plan Act COBRA Subsidy
5/20/2021 - IRS Issues Guidance Regarding American Rescue Plan Act COBRA Subsidy
4/29/2021 - Biden-Harris Administration’s First 100 Days Expose Priorities, Lay Groundwork for New Policies
4/9/2021 - DOL Issues ARPA COBRA Subsidy Model Notices and FAQs
3/15/2021 - American Rescue Plan’s Health and Welfare Benefit Provisions: COBRA and DCFSA Action Items
March 10, 2021 (Updated March 11, 2021) - Initial Key Takeaways from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021
3/1/2021 - IRS Gymnastics With Code Section 125 for FSAs: Notice 2021-15
3/1/2021 - Suspended Deadlines Under ERISA, Part Two: Sound the Alarm!
2/25/2021 - Suspended Deadlines Under ERISA: Is It Time to Restart the Clock?
1/21/2021 - Key Takeaways from Biden Administration’s First Executive Orders
1/12/2021 - Mental Health Parity Transparency: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021
1/7/2021 - LawFlash: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021: Health and Welfare Provisions
1/6/2021 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021: Health and Welfare Provisions
11/9/2020 - The Different Ways High Court Could Assess ACA Viability, Law360
11/6/2020 - Is the ACA’s Viability at Risk? Thoughts in Anticipation of the California v. Texas Supreme Court Argument
10/13/2020 - Join Us: Navigating (and Avoiding) DOL Enforcement Actions Against ERISA Group Health Plans and Providers
5/15/2020 - IRS Opens the Door for Optional Midyear Election Changes and Other Related Relief
5/6/2020 - COVID-19: Agencies Issue Disaster Relief for Welfare Plans
4/16/2020 - Departments Release FAQs on Implementation of FFCRA and CARES Act
4/3/2020 - CARES Act Provides Important Relief for Retail & Hospitality Companies
April 1, 2020 (Payroll Tax and Fringe Benefit Provisions section updated April 22, 2020; Executive Compensation Provisions section updated April 6, 2020) - CARES Act Brings Compensation, Benefits, and Payroll Tax Changes
3/23/2020 - COVID-19 Guidance for Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Issues
3/20/2020 - COVID-19 Testing: Group Health Plan Mandated Coverage Requirements
2/28/2020 - HIPAA Privacy Rule Still Applies for Employers Amid 2019 Novel Coronavirus Outbreak
1/21/2020 - Cadillac Tax Repealed, PCORI Fee Extended
12/24/2019 - ACA Wars: The Saga Continues
12/10/2019 - IRS Partially Extends Affordable Care Act Reporting Deadline
11/21/2019 - Employee Benefits 2020 – Hot Topics and Trends
7/10/2019 - Check Out Our Upcoming Webinar on the Final HRA Regulations!
4/26/2019 - Open Enrollment: Proactive Action
4/18/2019 - Association Health Plans Provision Declared Unlawful
12/19/2018 - Affordable Care Act Held Unconstitutional: What Is Next for Employer Health Plans?
3/27/2018 - Are You on the Watch for IRS Letter 226-J?
1/16/2018 - Disability Claims Regulations Become Effective April 1, 2018
11/21/2017 - IRS Gears Up to Enforce ACA Shared Responsibility
1/25/2017 - President Trump Takes First Step in Dismantling Affordable Care Act
12/15/2016 - Modernizing HIPAA: Cloud Computing and Mobile Devices
April/May 2016 - Cybersecurity Concerns for ERISA Fiduciaries, Today’s General Counsel
3/23/2016 - HHS Announces Phase 2 of the HIPAA Audit Program
2/5/2016 - Developments in Spousal Rights under Employee Benefit Plans (Part II)
1/5/2016 - Group Health Plan Action Items and Reminders for the New Year
10/7/2015 - EEOC Proposed Rule on Application of the ADA to Employer Wellness Programs
9/9/2015 - Get Ready: Phase Two HIPAA Audits Are Coming
12/22/2014 - Group Health Plans: Year-End Action Items and Upcoming Changes
6/25/2014 - HIPAA/HITECH Business Associate Agreements: The Home Stretch
2/25/2014 - Final ACA Shared Responsibility Regulations Released
12/19/2013 - Group Health Plans: Year-End Action Items and Upcoming Changes
7/25/2013 - After the Delay: Remaining ACA Employer and Group Health Plan Considerations for 2013 and 2014
6/13/2013 - Wellness Programs: Are They on Life Support? Responding to the Final Regulations
2/28/2013 - The Road to 2014: ACA Considerations for Employers
2/8/2013 - HIPAA Privacy Compliance Initiative: Final Rules Impacting Employer Health Plans
1/25/2013 - Final Rules Under HIPAA/HITECH Impact Employer Plans
7/23/2012 - OCR Releases HIPAA Audit Protocol
6/28/2012 - Employer Group Health Plans and the Constitutionality of the ACA
4/17/2012 - How to Prepare for a HIPAA Audit
3/28/2012 - Uniform Summary of Benefits and Coverage Under the ACA
3/13/2012 - Summaries of Benefits and Coverage Due This Fall
4/14/2010 - Health Care Reform: Employer Group Health Plan Considerations Webinar
4/14/2010 - Immediate Healthcare Reform Law Issues for Group Health Plans Come Into Sharper Focus
1/5/2010 - COBRA ARRA Extension: Better Late Than Never! Webinar