October Term 2015 · Docket 14-723
Can a health plan recover a settlement after the beneficiary spends it?
A health plan seeks to recover a settlement after the beneficiary spent the money.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Mr. Stris argued an equitable lien applies only to specific property.
Mr. Katyal noted the beneficiary signed a reimbursement agreement.
Ms. Anders argued Congress limited remedies for plan breaches.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 24-26 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 24-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 32-34 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 32-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 30-36 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 30-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 8-14 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 8-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 10-24 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 10-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 38-30 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 38-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 22-38 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 22-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 40-8 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 40-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-20 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 8-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 26-28 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 26-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 28-40 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 28-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 4-8 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 4-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 24-1 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 24-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 30-34 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 30-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 4-8 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 4-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 24-24 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 24-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 26-34 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 26-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 10-18 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 10-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 42-44 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 42-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 16-22 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 16-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 4-18 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 4-18
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The case involves a dispute over a settlement payment. The beneficiary spent the funds. The plan wants the money back.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 10-24 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 10-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 38-30 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 38-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 22-38 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 22-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 24-1 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 24-1
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 9, 2015.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-20 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 8-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 30-34 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 30-34
What each side wants
The plan wants the beneficiary to repay the spent settlement funds.
The beneficiary wants to keep the spent settlement funds.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 10-24 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 10-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 38-30 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 38-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 22-38 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 22-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 24-1 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 24-1
What each side says
The plan argues the beneficiary agreed to repay the settlement.
The beneficiary argues the plan cannot recover spent funds.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 10-24 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 10-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 38-30 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 38-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 22-38 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 22-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 24-1 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 24-1
What the justices asked
Justice Kagan asked if the beneficiary kept the money in a specific account.
Justice Kennedy asked if spending a mistaken bonus is generally accepted.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 24-26 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 24-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 32-34 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 32-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 30-36 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 30-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 8-14 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 8-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 40-8 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 40-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 26-28 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 26-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 28-40 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 28-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 4-8 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 4-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 30-34 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 30-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 4-8 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 4-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 24-24 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 24-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 26-34 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 26-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 10-18 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 10-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 42-44 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 42-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 16-22 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 16-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 4-18 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 4-18
Why it matters
This case defines when a health plan can recover spent settlement funds. It affects how beneficiaries manage settlement payments. It clarifies the scope of equitable liens in health plans.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 10-24 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 10-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 38-30 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 38-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 22-38 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 22-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 24-1 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 24-1
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 24-26 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 24-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 32-34 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 32-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 30-36 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 30-36
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 8-14 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 8-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 40-8 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 40-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-20 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 8-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 26-28 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 26-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 28-40 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 28-40
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 4-8 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 4-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 30-34 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 30-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 4-8 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 4-8
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 24-24 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 24-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 26-34 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 26-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 10-18 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 10-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 42-44 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 42-44
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 16-22 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 16-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 4-18 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 4-18
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 10-24 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 10-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 38-30 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 38-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 22-38 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 22-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 24-1 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 24-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 19, lines 10-24 — Transcript, file page 19, lines 10-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 29, lines 38-30 — Transcript, file page 29, lines 38-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 22-38 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 22-38
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 55, lines 24-1 — Transcript, file page 55, lines 24-1
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.