Eileen Hayes is a health care and insurance regulatory attorney focused on federal and state compliance matters. A former long-time regulator, Eileen brings a practical, informed perspective when helping clients navigate evolving requirements, pursue business objectives, and manage risk while maintaining productive working relationships with oversight agencies.
Eileen represents national and regional health, life, and property insurers, managed care organizations, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), producers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and specialty network providers. She advises on a broad range of health care and insurance regulatory issues, including business of insurance and licensing matters, product regulation and form and rate filings, PBM licensure and compliance, financial and market conduct examinations, regulatory investigations and enforcement matters, consumer protection and complaint matters, mental health parity, cybersecurity, commission and inducement issues, governance, regulatory diligence and change-of-control and related approvals, risk-based payment initiatives, discontinuances, withdrawals, and liquidations.
Eileen also represents leading industry trade associations, including the New York Health Plan Association (NYHPA), the Life Insurance Council of New York (LICONY), the National Association of Independent Financial Advisors (NAIFA-NY), the New York Land Title Association (NYSLTA), and the New York Association of Dental Plans. She assists these organizations with shaping federal and state legislation, regulation, and guidance, and with helping their members navigate complex implementation and governmental compliance challenges.
Prior to joining the firm, Eileen spent 20 years with the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) Health Bureau, formerly the New York Insurance Department. There, she provided legal advice on all aspects of health insurance regulation, both internally and to the Governor’s Office, the Division of the Budget, state and federal agencies, legislators, insurers, trade associations, consumer groups, and consumers. She also developed legislation and regulations and coordinated DFS’s federal health insurance reform efforts, including implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Recognition & Leadership
Awards & Accolades
•Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Health Care Law, 2023-2026
•Listed, The Legal 500 United States, 2018-2025
•'Leading Partners,' Industry Focus - Healthcare - Health Insurers, 2025
•'Next Generation Partners,' Industry Focus - Healthcare - Health Insurers, 2018-2024
•Team Member, BTI Power Rankings, “The 16 Strongest Firms for ‘Go-To Outside Counsel’ Insurance Work,” 2016
