Third Quarter Regulatory/Legislative Updates

With over ten years of regulatory and legislative strategy experience, Christopher Bao serves as the Vice President –Regulatory and Legislative Strategy in the Employee Benefits division of Brown & Brown. In his role, Christopher is responsible for researching, analyzing, presenting and advising parties on strategies and best practices for group health plans. He also supports internal colleagues and Brown & Brown customers by reviewing and analyzing both federal and state aws that govern Employee Health and Welfare Benefit plans. These areas include HIPAA, the Affordable Care Act, ERISA and COBRA.

Christopher has experience in employee health and welfare benefits and seven years of litigation experience. Prior to joining Brown & Brown, he worked at a large international insurance brokerage firm in the areas of compliance and Employee Health and Welfare Benefits. Prior to that role, Christopher worked as a litigator in private practice. He joined Brown & Brown in August of 2022. 

Erin serves as an Associate Director of Regulatory & Legislative Strategy, assisting teammates and customers with the application of federal law to employee health and welfare plans. In her role, Erin tracks emerging legislation and regulatory changes, and translates agency guidance on COBRA, ERISA, HIPAA, ACA, Section 125 and other laws affecting employee benefits into articles and presentations to help employers manage legal compliance.

Erin comes to Brown & Brown with over 15 years of experience in employee health and welfare compliance. Erin previously led the compliance department of a national third-party administrator, serving as HIPAA Privacy Officer and ensuring administrative compliance with laws regulating consumer-directed benefit plans, COBRA and ERISA. She also served on the board of directors for the Employer’s Council on Flexible Compensation, developing best practices alongside other industry leaders and lobbying federal legislators for improvements to tax-advantaged employee benefit plans. Earlier in her career, Erin worked as a compliance attorney for a regional insurance brokerage, providing education and consultation on employee benefits compliance to agents and customers. Erin has also worked in private legal practice and nonprofit leadership.