In the January 4, 2021 issue of the Los Angeles Daily Journal, the Daily Journal published an article written by the McKennon Law Group PC’s Robert J. McKennon entitled “ERISA Ruling Expands Protection for Employees, Beneficiaries.”  The article addresses a recent case by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Beverly Oaks Physicians Surgical Center, LLC v. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, which found that while anti-assignment provisions in ERISA matters are valid and enforceable, plan administrators can waive the right to assert and enforce these provisions when their actions are inconsistent with the provision or they are aware that the claimant is acting as an assignee.  This opinion will greatly benefit employees who have medical insurance and sign agreements with their medical providers to assign their rights to collect payment from their health insurers.  The Ninth Circuit’s opinion will be not only useful for claimants/employees who have health insurance claims, but also those who have disability, life or other employee benefit claims as the decision in Beverly Oaks will serve to prevent employers and insurers from making misrepresentations regarding ERISA plan terms and/or taking actions inconsistent that which they had previously represented.