
Stephen K. Warch (Steve)
Shareholder & Chair, Health Care
Steve takes a common-sense approach toward the work he does for his clients, helping them navigate complex legal and regulatory issues to meet business objectives and minimize risk.
Steve’s practice focuses on the representation of insurers, health plans, health systems, and companies that do business in the health care area. His years of experience include representing government regulators in civil enforcement proceedings and working in-house, giving him unique insight into how to best address client problems and challenges.
When not advising clients, you can find Steve on the tennis court, on his bike, working in the yard, or cooking in his kitchen.
Key Practice Experience
- Health Care Regulation
- Insurance Regulation and State Department of Insurance Matters
- Health Care Transactions
- Hospital and Health Plan Credentialing and Privileging
- Third Party Administrative Services
- Non-Profit Regulation and Governance
- Assistant Attorney General for the State of Minnesota
- Deputy General Counsel, UnitedHealthcare
Key Industry Experience
- Health Care
- Insurance
- Financial Services
- Nonprofits
Representative Matters
- Frequent interaction with federal and state regulators on behalf of insurance and health care clients
- Outside General Counsel for significant regional integrated hospital and clinic system
- Outside General Counsel for national membership organization focused on health care and corporate compliance
- Representation of significant managed care organizations in regulatory, transactional and litigation matters
- Representation of national health insurer and related entities in regulatory and transactional matters
- Representation of national property and casualty third-party administrator in state licensure and regulatory matters
- Representation of national insurance provider on state licensure requirements, regulatory and transactional matters and product structuring and development
- Representation of national employee assistance provider in credentialing and network administrative and legal matters
- Development of contract templates and comprehensive contracting processes and procedures for national disease management provider
- Representation of national financial services organization and national sales and manufacturing company in Minnesota Attorney General consumer fraud investigations
Recognitions and Honors
- Adjunct Professor of Law, University of Minnesota Law School
- Adjunct Professor of Law, William Mitchell College of Law (2006-2007)
- Multiple-year recognition in Minnesota Super Lawyers list
- Past Chair, Minnesota State Bar Association, Health Law Section: Program Chair (2005-2007); Member, Governing Council (2007-2013)
- Program Committee: Minnesota CLE Health Law Institute: 2005-Present
Publications and Presentations
- “Utilization Management in the Crosshairs,” Minnesota CLE 2018 Health Law Institute, June 13, 2018
- “Whipsawed – the Potential Impacts of Health Care Reform Efforts on Government Programs,” Minnesota CLE Health Law Institute, June 15, 2017
- “A Change to Minnesota Law: Licensure of for-profit HMOs,” Minnesota Physician, June 2017
- “The New 3Rs: Repeal, Replace, and Repair. Predicting Healthcare Reform in 2017 and Beyond,” Minnesota State Bar Association Health Law Section, March 17, 2017
- “Reforming health care reform: A look at proposed options,” Minnesota Physician, February 2017
- “Transactional Challenges for Payers and Strategies to Get to Yes (Or At Least Close Enough),” Minnesota CLE Health Law Institute, June 4, 2015
- “The Mental Health Parity Act and Key Provisions of the MHPAEA Final Rule,” Minnesota CLE Health Law Institute, June 5, 2014
- “The Minnesota Insurance Exchange and its Future Impact on the Marketplace: Plan and Provider Perspectives,” Minnesota CLE Health Law Institute, June 6, 2013
- “We Have Come to Rain on Your Parade-Compliance with Medicare Advantage and Part D Marketing Rules for Payors, Providers, and Brokers,” Minnesota CLE Health Law Institute, June 8, 2012
- “Exchanges, Unicorns and Rainbows – 14 Months Later: A Discussion about the Implications of Reform for Health Plans,” Minnesota CLE Health Law Institute, June 9, 2011
- “National Health Care Reform: Implications for Employers,” Omega Benefits Client Seminar, July 27, 2010
- “Key Aspects of Health Reform for Minnesota Insurers and Health Plans,” Minnesota CLE Health Law Institute, June 10, 2010
- “The Mental Health Parity and Equity Addiction Act: the Interim Final Regulations,” Minnesota State Bar Association Health Law Section, April 16, 2010
- “Cracks in the Foundation of Peer Review: Key Developments in Privileging and Credentialing,” The Hennepin Lawyer, Vol. 78, No. 5, May 2009
- “The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005: A New Era for False Claims Act Compliance,” Health Care Compliance Association Regional Conference, September 15, 2006
- “The Role of State Attorneys General in the Regulation of Health Care Entities,” Health Care Compliance Association Compliance Institute, April 18, 2005
- “The Attorney General’s Role in Regulation and Oversight of Charities and Non-Profit Organizations,” Minnesota State Bar Association CLE Program “Understanding and Advising Nonprofit Organizations,” April 3, 2003
- “The Attorney General’s Role in Regulation and Oversight of Charities and Non-Profit Organizations,” Larson Allen Public Service Group Annual Nonprofit and Foundation Conference, May 15, 2003
- “Legal Issues at the Intersection of Healthcare and ERISA – an Overview,” Minnesota Attorney General’s Office CLE Program “Minnesota’s Health Care System: Maladies, Symptoms and Cures,” June 8, 2001
- “Meeting Head On: Offers of Settlement and an Insurer’s Potential Bad Faith,” Wisconsin Lawyer, Vol. 69, No. 10, October 1996
Professional Associations
- Advisory Board Member, Mitchell-Hamline Health Law Institute
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- Wisconsin State Bar Association
- Ramsey County Bar Association
- Health Care Compliance Association
Community Engagement
- Board and Executive Committee Member, Mount Zion Temple, Saint Paul, MN (2010-Present)
- Fundraising Committee Member, Fred Wells Tennis & Education Center (2009-Present)
- Board Member, Saint Paul Tennis Club (2007-2010)
- Board Member, Sunny Hollow Montessori School (2001-2003)
- Board Member, Edina A Better Chance Foundation (1994-1997)
- Member, Volunteer Lawyers’ Network
- Sixteen NJL Lawyers on 2021 Super Lawyers Lists
- Anti-Kickback Statute and Stark Law Regulations: Final Rules Issued
- Seventeen NJL Lawyers Listed in Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
- Twenty Nilan Johnson Lewis Attorneys Named to 2018 Minnesota Super Lawyers & Rising Stars Lists
- Impending Legal Decision Creates More Uncertainty for Health Insurers
- Considerations for Payors Regarding Tom Price’s HHS Secretary Appointment
- Eighteen Nilan Johnson Lewis Attorneys Named to 2016 Minnesota Super Lawyers & Rising Stars Lists
- Nilan Johnson Lewis’ Board of Directors Now Predominantly Female
- Nilan Johnson Lewis Announces Its 2016 Board of Directors
- Seventeen Nilan Johnson Lewis Attorneys Recognized As 2015 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
- Nilan Johnson Lewis Elects New President