ERISA (The Employee Retirement Income Security Act) is a federal statute that governs employer-sponsored benefit plans (including health insurance). In ERISA health insurance plans, state law clainms are often superseded by federal law and protections offered by state law may not apply. If your patient receives employer-sponsored health insurance, it likely that their coverage falls under the ERISA statute and that insurance protections under state law may be absent. This is a complicated area for families and consultation with an attorney may be helpful.
Link to "Filing A Claim for Your health or Disability Benefits" published by the U.S. Department of Labor: