Eileen Hayes advises health insurers, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), dental carriers, and other health care entities on complex insurance regulatory matters, with a particular focus on New York Department of Financial Services (DFS) requirements. She also regularly advises life insurers and property and casualty insurers on regulatory and transactional matters.
Eileen represents clients in high-stakes filings, examinations, investigations, and transactions requiring regulatory approval, including matters involving complex regulatory frameworks affecting health, life, and property and casualty insurers. She develops regulatory strategies and submissions in matters involving direct engagement with DFS and other regulators, drawing on a practical, regulator-informed perspective to help clients pursue business objectives, manage regulatory risk, and navigate sensitive and high-impact regulatory interactions.
Her practice spans a broad range of insurance and health care regulatory issues, including product development, rate and form filings (including SERFF filings), licensure, market conduct and financial examinations, enforcement matters, corporate governance, and transactions requiring regulatory approval, as well as compliance with complex regulatory regimes such as mental health parity. She is particularly experienced in advising on product design and operational and structural issues affecting regulated entities.
In addition to her deep DFS experience, Eileen advises clients on multi-state and national regulatory issues, including the intersection of state insurance requirements and federal law, particularly the ACA and ERISA. She counsels clients on product design, claims administration, and compliance obligations across jurisdictions, including for nonprofit health insurers and other mission-driven organizations, as well as specialized products such as long-term care insurance.
She also played a leadership role in the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in New York, advising DFS, the New York State Department of Health, and other state and federal stakeholders on regulatory coordination and compliance.
Eileen represents leading industry trade associations, including the New York Health Plan Association, the Life Insurance Council of New York, the National Association of Dental Plans, the New York Land Title Association, and NAIFA-New York, in connection with regulatory and legislative advocacy. Working closely with Greenberg Traurig’s government affairs team, she works with policymakers and advises members on the development and implementation of new laws, regulations, and guidance, while providing clients with insight into industry trends, priorities, and emerging regulatory developments.
Drawing on over 20 years prior experience working within New York government at DFS, Eileen provides strategic insight into regulatory decision-making and enforcement priorities, seeking to enable clients to anticipate regulatory expectations and position matters for desired outcomes.
Recognition & Leadership
Awards & Accolades
•Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Health Care Law, 2023-2026
•Listed, The Legal 500 United States, 2018-2026
•'Leading Partners,' Industry Focus - Healthcare - Health Insurers, 2025-2026
•'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
