Baker v. Aetna Life Insurance Co.

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER

SIDNEY A. FITZWATER, UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Plaintiff Charlize Marie Baker (“Baker”) — who is undergoing the process of gender transition from male to female— sues defendant Aetna Life Insurance Company (“Aetna”), seeking to recover short-term disability benefits under an ERISA 1 qualified short-term disability benefits plan (“STD Plan”) following breast augmentation surgery. Following a bench hearing, and for the reasons that follow, the court holds that Aetna gave a legally correct interpretation to the STD Plan and did not abuse its discretion in denying…