Can an ERISA plan administrator tell an employer about an employee’s substance abuse?

Doesn’t that breach fiduciary duties to the employee/claimant? Probably not.

Check the employer’s employment policies because an ERISA plan administrator’s “[c]ompliance with [an employer’s drug/alcohol] policy cannot constitute breach of fiduciary duty.”

This new case highlights the point. Williams v. FedEx Corp. Service and Aetna Ins. Co., __ F.3d __ (10th Cir. February 24, 2017)(Aetna did not breach fiduciary duty by disclosing substance abuse to employer because FedEx’s workplace policy required such disclosure and “[c]ompliance with FedEx’s policy cannot constitute breach of fiduciary duty.”)

FACTS: Williams, a FedEx employee, sought Family Medical Leave from his employer, claiming “work related stress.”  But Williams then sought ERISA-governed disability benefits related to substance abuse. (The plan provides up to 13 weeks of benefits for disabilities related to “Chemical Dependency.”) The plan conferred discretion to Aetna, which administered the plan.

Aetna informed FedEx that Williams had sought disability benefits for “alcohol or substance abuse.” FedEx then required Williams to submit to return-to-duty-testing, and follow up testing for five (5) years, pursuant to company policy.

Williams claimed Aetna breached fiduciary duties by disclosing his chemical dependency to FedEx.

ISSUE: Did Aetna “breach fiduciary duty” when it reported to Fed Ex that Williams had a substance abuse problem?

TENTH CIRCUIT HELD: NO.

  1. Medical records submitted to Aetna documented symptoms related to the “habitual and addictive use of Suboxone.” Op. at 24.
  2. The FedEx Alcohol/Drug Free Workplace Policy provides: “[t]he disability vendor [Aetna] will notify [FedEx] when an employee seeks benefits for substance abuse.” Op. at 25.
  3. Aetna “had a duty under [FedEx’s policy] to report his condition to FedEx. Compliance with FedEx’s policy cannot constitute breach of fiduciary duty.” Op. at 25.