Viv Hunter Turner advises employer-sponsored welfare plans on employee benefit compliance issues under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA), ERISA, and COBRA. Additionally, she counsels clients on implementing wellness program that comply with applicable regulations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, and the HIPAA wellness rules. Higher education institutions and affiliated organizations turn to Viv for a range of issues such as plan governance structure, contracts, wellness initiatives and providing benefits to both union and non-union populations. Other industries served include Fortune 50 mass media and retail, Fortune 100 entertainment and transportation, health insurance issuers, and the industrial engineering industry.
Viv’s background includes a wealth of experience in HIPAA Privacy and Security regulations. Prior to joining Groom, Viv served as assistant general counsel and privacy officer at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont. Based on her extensive HIPAA privacy and security background, she facilitates HIPAA Privacy training and counsels clients in connection with self-audits under the HIPAA Privacy Rules. Viv also advises clients on how to respond to data breaches under HIPAA’s regulations and applicable state laws.
Viv routinely negotiates service provider and pharmacy benefit management agreements and negotiates employer group waiver plan (or “EGWP”) pharmacy benefit management agreements. Viv’s expertise extends to Medicare Part D, on which she assists clients with regard to ERISA’s fiduciary obligations in relation to pharmacy rebates. Viv also advises and assists employer plan sponsors and issuers in responding to Department of Labor investigations.
Viv serves as Chair of Groom’s Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee. In this role, she leads the firm’s internal and external diversity and inclusion initiatives, building internal programs, developing partnerships and community outreach aimed at supporting and promoting those who are traditionally underrepresented in the legal profession.
