Frank E. MATINCHEK v. JOHN ALDEN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, Appellant

OPINION OF THE COURT

LEWIS, Circuit Judge.

I

The question we address in this appeal is whether ERISA governs an insurance coverage dispute between Appellee Frank E. Matinchek (“Matinchek”) and the John Alden Life Insurance Company. We hold that ERISA does not govern this dispute because an insurance coverage plan covering only a sole business owner and his or her immediate family members cannot qualify as an “employee welfare benefit plan” under ERISA. We also hold, as a result of our conclusion that ERISA does not govern this dispute, that the district court incorrectly determined it had…