Full text
Almont Ambulatory Surgery Ctr. v. Unitedhealth Group, Inc.
FILED
NOT FOR PUBLICATION
JUN 11 2019
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS MOLLY C. DWYER, CLERK
U.S. COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE NINTH CIRCUIT
ALMONT AMBULATORY SURGERY No. 17-55301 CENTER, LLC, a California limited liability company; BAKERFIELD D.C. No. SURGERY INSTITUTE, LLC, a 2:14-cv-02139-MWF-VBK California limited liability company; CIRO SURGERY CENTER, LLC, a California limited liability company; EAST BAY MEMORANDUM* AMBULATORY SURGERY, LLC, a California limited liability company;
MODERN INSTITUTE OF PLASTIC
SURGERY & ANTIAGING, INC., a California corporation; NEW LIFE SURGERY CENTER, LLC, DBA Beverly Hills Surgery Center, a California limited liability company; ORANGE GROVE SURGERY CENTER, LLC, a California limited liability company; SAN DIEGO
AMBULATORY SURGERY CENTER,
LLC, a California limited liability company; SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY SURGERY CENTER, LLC, a California limited liability company; SKIN CANCER & RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY
SPECIALIST OF BEVERLY HILLS,
INC., a California corporation;
VALENCIA AMBULATORY SURGERY
CENTER, LLC, a California limited liability company; WEST HILLS
* This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3.
SURGERY CENTER, LLC, a California limited liability company; PALMDALE SURGERY CENTER, LLC, a California limited liability company;
INDEPENDENT MEDICAL SERVICES,
INC., a California corporation,
Plaintiffs-Appellants,
v.
UNITEDHEALTH GROUP, INC.;
UNITED HEALTHCARE SERVICES,
INC.; UNITEDHEALTHCARE INSURANCE COMPANY; OPTUMINSIGHT, INC.; AMERICAN
ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED PERSONS
(AARP), a District of Columbia corporation; AARP EMPLOYEES WELFARE PLAN; ACCENTURE, LLP, a Delaware limited liability partnership; ACCOR NORTH AMERICA, INC., a Delaware corporation; ACCOR NORTH
AMERICA, INC. GROUP INSURANCE
PLAN, a Delaware corporation; ACTAVIS, INC., a Delaware corporation;
ACTAVIS HEALTH AND WELFARE
PLAN; ACUSHNET COMPANY, a Delaware corporation; ACUSHNET
COMPANY CONSOLIDATED HEALTH
AND WELFARE PLAN; ADP TOTALSOURCE, INC., a Florita corporation; ADP TOTALSOURCE INC. HEALTH AND WELFARE PLAN; AEGIS MEDIA AMERICAS, INC., a Delaware corporation; AEGIS MEDIA
NORTH AMERICA WELFARE
— 2 —
BENEFIT PLAN; AEGON USA, LLC, an Iowa limited liability company; AEGON
COMPANIES FLEXIBLE BENEFITS
PLAN; AERA ENERGY SERVICES COMPANY, a Delaware corporation;
AERA ENERGY SERVICES COMPANY
MEDICAL BENEFITS PLAN; AIR LIQUIDE USA, LLC, a Delaware liability company; AIR LIQUIDE USA, LLC GROUP BENEFITS PLAN; AKZO NOBEL, INC., a Delaware corporation;
AKZO NOBEL, INC. SALARIED
EMPLOYEES GROUP BENEFITS
PROGRAM; ALCON LABORATORIES, INC., a Delaware corporation; ALCON
LABORATORIES, INC. VOLUNTARY
EMPLOYEES BENEFICIARY
ASSOCIATION TRUST; ALL AMERICAN CONTAINERS, INC.; ALL
AMERICAN CONTAINERS INC.
WELFARE BENEFIT PLAN; ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY; ALLSTATE CAFETERIA PLAN; ALPHA MECHANICAL, INC.; ALPHA MECHANICAL HEATING & AIR
CONDITIONING INC. HEALTH
INSURANCE PLAN; ALTEC INDUSTRIES, INC.; AMERICAN AIRLINES, INC.; GROUP LIFE AND HEALTH BENEFITS PLAN; AMERICAN BUILDING SUPPLY, INC.;
AMERICAN BUILDING SUPPLY, INC.
EMPLOYEES BENEFIT PLAN; AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.;
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
GROUP WELFARE BENEFIT PLAN;
AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL
— 3 —
GROUP, INC.; AMERICAN
INTERNATIONAL GROUP INC.
MEDICAL PLAN; ANHEUSER-BUSCH COMPANIES, INC.; ANHEUSERBUSCH EMPLOYEES BENEFIT TRUST; ANIXTER, INC.; ANIXTER INC. GROUP INSURANCE; ANN, INC.;
ANN, INC. WELFARE BENEFITS
PLAN; ANSCHUTZ ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC.; AEG EMPLOYEE HEALTH & WELFARE PLAN;
APARTMENT MANAGEMENT
CONSULTANTS BENEFITS PLAN; APL LIMITED; WELFARE PLAN FOR EMPLOYEES OF APL LIMITED;
APPLE, INC. HEALTH AND WELFARE
BENEFIT PLAN; APPLE AMERICAN GROUP LLC; APPLE AMERICAN GROUP LLC SECTION 125 PLAN; APTCO, LLC; ARDENT SERVICES, LLC; ARDENT SERVICES, LLC MEDICAL PLAN; AT&T INC.; AT&T UMBRELLA BENEFIT PLAN; AT&T MOBILITY LLC; CINGULAR WIRELESS MEDICAL PLUS PLAN;
ATI SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL,
INC.; ATI SYSTEMS; AUCTION.COM, LLC; AUCTION.COM EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN; AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING, INC.; AUTOMATIC
DATA PROCESSING, INC. FLEX 2000
PLAN; AVON PRODUCTS, INC.;
AVON PRODUCTS, INC. MEDICAL
PLAN FOR ACTIVE EMPLOYEES; BAKER HUGHES INC.; BAKER
HUGHES, INC. WELFARE BENEFITS
PLAN; BARNES & NOBLE INC.;
— 4 —
BARNES & NOBLE INC.
COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL AND
DENTAL PLAN; BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED; BAUSCH & LOMB COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL PLAN;
BAYSIDE MANAGEMENT
COMPANYLLC EMPLOYEE BENEFIT
PLAN; BAYSIDE MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC; BBA AVIATION USA, INC.; BBA AVIATION, INC. BENEFIT PLAN; BECTON DICKINSON
AND COMPANY GROUP LIFE AND
HEALTH PLAN; BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY; BELMONT VILLAGE, LP; BELMONT
VILLAGE LP HEALTHCARE
BENEFITS PLAN; BEST BUY CO. INC.;
BEST BUY FLEXIBLE BENEFITS
PLAN; BEST MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL, INC.; BEST
MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL BENEFIT
PLAN; BLACK BOX NETWORK SERVICES, INC.; BLACK BOX
NETWORK SERVICES GROUP
MEDICAL PLAN; BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC; BMW OF NORTH
AMERICA LLC HEALTH AND
WELFARE PLANS; BNSF RAILWAY COMPANY; BNSF RAILWAY
COMPANY FLEXIBLE BENEFIT
PLAN; BOAT AMERICA CORPORATION; BOAT U.S. HEALTH PLAN; BOSTON MARKET CORPORATION; BOSTON MARKET
CORPORATION HEALTH AND
WELFARE PLAN; BRADY CORPORATION; W.H. BRADY CO.
— 5 —
INSURED BENEFITS PLAN;
ADVANCE/NEWHOUSE
PARTNERSHIP HEALTH BENEFITS
PLAN; BRINKER SERVICES CORPORATION; BRINKER
INTERNATIONAL, INC. WELFARE
BENEFIT PLAN; BRINK’S INCORPORATED; THE BRINKS
COMPANY COMPREHENSIVE
HEALTH AND WELFARE PLAN; BUCA RESTAURANTS 2, INC.; BUCA INC. HEALTH CARE BENEFIT PLAN;
BUILDING MATERIALS
CORPORATION OF AMERICA; GAF
MATERIALS CORPORATION
WELFARE BENEFIT PLAN; BUPA WORLDWIDE CORPORATION; BUPA
WORLDWIDE CORPORATION
HEALTH & BENEIFTS PLAN; BWAY CORPORATION; BWAY
CORPORATION COMPREHENSIVE
MEDICAL PLAN; CALIBER HOME LOANS, INC.; VERICREST
FINANCIAL, INC. WELFARE AND
BENEFITS PLAN; CALIFORNIA CHARTER SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION;
CCSA EMPLOYEE BENEFIT
WELFARE TRUST C/O BRMS; CBEYOND COMMUNICATIONS LLC;
CBEYOND COMMUNICATIONS
HEALTH AND WELFARE PLAN; CBIZ MHM, LLC; CBIZ INC. GROUP HEALTH AND WELFARE PLAN; CBS CORPORATION; CBS HEALTH AND WELFARE BENEFITS PLAN; CEC ENTERTAINMENT CONCEPTS LP;
CEC ENTERTAINMENT WELFARE
— 6 —
BENEFIT PLAN; CENTRAL PARKING SYSTEM; CENTRAL PARKING
SYSTEM HEALTH AND WELFARE
PLAN; CENTRIC GROUP LLC; CENTRIX GROUP HOSPITAL PLAN; CGX ENERGY, LLC; COGENTRIX
ENERGY, LLC GROUP INSURANCE
PLAN; C.H. ROBINSON COMPANY, INC.; C.H. ROBINSON COMPANY
GROUP HEALTH MAJOR MEDICAL
PLAN; CHARLOTTE RUSSE, INC.;
CHARLOTTE RUSSE HOLDING, INC.
WELFARE BENEFIT PLAN; CHARMING SHOPPES, INC.;
CHARMING SHOPPES, INC. MEDICAL
PLAN; CHEVRON CORPORATION;
CHEVRON CORPORATION OMNIBUS
HEALTH CARE PLAN; CHILD DEVELOPMENT INCORPORATED; CDI GROUP WELFARE PLAN; CITIGROUP MANAGEMENT CORP.; CITIGROUP HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN;
CNA FINANCIAL CORPORATION
HEALTH AND GROUP BENEFITS
PROGRAM; COGNIZANT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS CORP.; COGNIZANT HEALTH & WELFARE BENEFIT PLAN; COMFORT SYSTEMS USA, INC.; COMFORT SYSTEMS USA HEALTH & WELFARE PLAN;
COMMSCOPE, INC. OF NORTH
CAROLINA; COMMSCOPE WELFARE BENEFIT PLAN; CONESYS EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN; CONMED CORPORATION; CONMED CORPORATION HEALTHCARE PLAN;
CONSTRUCTION TEAMSTERS
— 7 —
SECURITY FUND FOR SOUTHERN
CALIFORNIA; COURT BUSINESS SERVICES CORPORATION; COURT
BUSINESS SERVICES CORPORATION
GROUP INSURANCE PLAN; COVIDIEN, LP; COVIDIEN HEALTH & WELFARE BENEFITS PLAN; CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA), LLC;
CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA)
LLC GROUP HEALTH CARE PLAN;
CROWLEY MARITIME
CORPORATION; CROWLEY
MARITIME CORPORATION
WELFARE HEALTH LIFE & ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENT PLANS; CYTEC INDUSTRIES, INC.; CYTEC
INDUSTRIES INC. HEALTH AND
WELFARE PLAN; DANAHER CORPORATION; DANAHER CORPORATION & SUBSIDIARIES MEDICAL PLAN; DARDEN GROUP
LIFE AND HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN
FOR SALARIED EMPLOYEES; DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC.; DEERE & COMPANY; DELOITTE & TOUCHE WELFARE BENEFIT PLAN; DELOITTE, LLP; DELTA AIR LINES, INC.; DELTA FAMILY-CARE MEDICAL PLAN; DENSO SALES CALIFORNIA, INC.; DENSO SALES
CALIFORNIA, INC. GROUP
INSURANCE PLAN; DIAGEO NORTH AMERICA, INC.; DIAGEO NORTH
AMERICA, INC. MEDICAL CARE AND
LIFE INSURANCE PLAN FOR
SALARIED AND RETIRED
— 8 —
EMMPLOYEES; DISCOVERY
COMMUNICATIONS WELFARE
BENEFIT PLAN; DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, LLC; DOLLAR
THRIFTY AUTOMOTIVE GROUP,
INC.; DOLLAR THRIFTY
AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.
WELFARE BENEFIT PLAN; JOHN DEERE FLEXIBLE BENEFITS PLAN; PRODUCERS’ HEALTH BENEFITS PLAN; DS WATERS OF AMERICA, INC.; DS WATERS OF AMERICA, INC. HEALTH AND WELFARE PLAN; DR. PEPPER SNAPPLE GROUP, INC.; DR.
PEPPER SNAPPLE GROUP, INC.
HEALTH PLAN; DRIVETIME AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, INC.;
DRIVETIME WELFARE BENEFIT
PLAN; ECOLAB HEALTH AND WELFARE BENEFITS PLAN; ECOLAB, INC.; EDWARD D. JONES & CO.
EMPLOYEES HEALTH AND
WELFARE PROGRAM; EDWARD D. JONES & CO., L.P.; EMCOR GROUP, INC.; EMCOR GROUP, INC. EMPLOYEE WELFARE PLAN; ENSIGN
US DRILLING EMPLOYEE BENEFIT
PLAN; ENSIGN UNITED STATES DRILLING, INC.; ENTERPRISE
HOLDINGS HOSPITAL INSURANCE
PLAN; ENTERPRISE HOLDINGS, INC.;
ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS
RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC.;
ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS
RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC. LIFE
LTD. TRAVEL ACCIDENT, VISION
SERVICE, MEDICAL DENTAL;
— 9 —
EQUITY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES
TRUST GROUP INSURANCE PLAN;
EQUITY RESIDENTIAL SERVICES,
LLC; ERNST & YOUNG MEDICAL PLAN; ERNST & YOUNG, LLP; ESSILOR OF AMERICA, INC.;
ESSILOR OF AMERICA, INC.
EMPLOYER WELFARE BENEFIT
PLAN; ESTEE LAUDER, INC.;
EXPERIAN INFORMATION
SOLUTIONS, INC.; EXPERIAN
INFORMATION SOLUTIONS, INC.
HEALTH AND WELFARE PLAN;
EXPRESS MESSENGER SYSTEMS,
INC.; EXPRESSJET AIRLINES, INC.;
EXPRESSJET AIRLINES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED WELFARE BENEFIT
PLAN; FARMERS GROUP, INC.;
FARMERS GROUP, INC. EMPLOYEE
PREPAID BENEFIT PLAN; ESTEE LAUDER COMPANIES, INC.; FC USA INC. BENEFITS; FC USA, INC.; FNPC HEALTH AND WELFARE PLAN;
FIDELITY BROKERAGE SERVICES,
LLC; FIDELITY GROUP EMPLOYEES
MEDICAL, DENTAL AND CAFETERIA
PLAN; FIFTH & PACIFIC COMPANIES, INC.; FINRA DISPUTE RESOLUTION, INC.; FINRA EMPLOYEE GROUP MEDICAL; FISERV, INC.; FISERV, INC. WELFARE BENEFIT PLAN; FIVE STAR QUALITY CARE; FIVE STAR QUALITY CARE-CA, INC.;
FLEXTRONICS EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
PLAN; FLEXTRONICS INTERNATIONAL USA, INC.; FOOT LOCKER RETAIL, INC.; FOOT
— 10 —
LOCKER WELFARE BENEFIT
PAYMENT PLAN; FOX ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC.; FOX HEALTH PLAN; FUGATE AVIATION, INC.; FUGATE ENTERPRISES
EMPLOYEE WELFARE BENEFIT
PLAN; FUTURE ELECTRONICS CORP.; FUTURE ELECTRONICS CORP. GROUP INSURANCE PLAN; G4S SECURE SOLUTIONS, INC.; GAP INC. HEALTH AND LIFE PLAN; GE GLOBAL HEALTH PLAN; GF HEALTH PRODUCTS, INC.; GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION; GP STRATEGIES
CORPORATION WELFARE BENEFIT
PLAN; GAP, INC.; GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY; GENERAL PARTS, INC.; GENERAL PARTS, INC.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS PLAN
MEDICAL INSURANCE; GENON
ENERGY GROUP WELFARE
BENEFITS PLAN; GENON ENERGY SERVICES, LLC; GENPACT PROCESS SOLUTIONS, LLC; GENPACT WELFARE BENEFIT PLAN; GEORG FISCHER EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN; GEORG FISCHER SIGNET, LLC; GEORGIA-PACIFIC LLC;
GLAXOSMITHKLINE HEALTH AND
WELFARE BENEFITS PLAN FOR US
EMPLOYEES; GLAXOSMITHKLINE, LLC; GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANN INS FLEXIBLE BENEFIT PLAN; GREATWEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY; WELFARE TRUST FOR
G4S SECURE SOLUTIONS USA INC.
AND AFFILIATES; GTECH
— 11 —
CORPORATION; GTECH
CORPORATION PARTICIPANT
BENEFIT PLAN; GREYSTAR MANAGEMENT SERVICES, LP;
GREYSTAR MANAGEMENT
SERVICES, LLP; HD SUPPLY HEALTH AND WELFARE PROGRAM; HD SUPPLY, INC.; HEALTH INVENTURES
HEALTH AND WELLNESS BENEFIT
PLAN; HEALTH INVENTURES, LLC;
HEARTLAND AUTOMOTIVE
SERVICES, INC.; HEARTLAND
AUTOMOTIVE SERVICES, INC.
GROUP MEDICAL AND LIFE PLAN; HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY;
HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY
HEALTH MAINTENANCE
ORGANIZATION PROGRAM;
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
BENEFIT PLAN; HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.; HOT TOPIC, INC.; HOT TOPIC, INC. HEALTH AND WELFARE PLAN; HOTELS AB, LLC;
THE STANDARD/HOTELS AB
WELFARE BENEFIT PLAN; HUHTAMAKI AMERICAS, INC.;
HUHTAMAKI AMERICAS, INC.
GROUP INSURANCE PLAN;
IMORTGAGE.COM, INC. CAFETERIA
PLAN; IMORTGAGE.COM. INC.; ING
AMERICAS WELFARE BENEFITS
PLAN; ING NORTH AMERICA INSURANCE CORPORATION; INFORMA USA, INC.; INFORMA USA,
INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
INSURANCE PLAN; INGRAM MICRO, INC.; INSPERITY GROUP HEALTH
— 12 —
PLAN; INSPERITY HOLDINGS, INC.; INSTANT WEB, INC.; INTEGRA
LIFESCIENCES CORP.
MEDICAL/PRESCRIPTION, DENTAL
AND STD PLAN; INTEGRA LIFESCIENCES CORPORATION; INTELSAT CORPORATION;
INTELSAT GROUP WELFARE
BENEFITS PLAN; INTER-RAIL TRANSPORT, INC.; INTER-RAIL, INC. EMPLOYEE HEALTH PLAN; INTERCARE HOLDINGS, INC.;
INTERCARE HOLDINGS, INC.
HEALTH & WELFARE PLAN; ISTANT
WEB INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
MEDICAL BENEFIT PLAN; IBM MEDICAL & DENTAL PLAN FOR
REGULAR AND PART-TIME
EMPLOYEES; INX INTERNATIONAL GROUP MEDICAL/DENTAL PLAN; INX INTERNATIONAL INK CO.;
INTERNATIONAL ALUMINUM
CORPORATION; INTERNATIONAL
ALUMINUM CORPORATION HEALTH
AND WELFARE PLANS;
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
MACHINES CORPORATION; INTERNATIONAL PAPER COMPANY;
INTERNATIONAL PAPER GROUP
INSURANCE PLAN; INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY CORPORATION;
INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
CORPORATION WELFARE BENEFIT
PLAN; INTERSTATE HOTELS & RESORTS BENEFITS PROGRAM; INTERSTATE HOTELS & RESORTS, INC.; J.C. PENNEY CORPORATION,
— 13 —
INC.; J.C. PENNEY CORPORATION, INC. HEALTH & WELFARE BENEFITS PLAN; JPMORGAN CHASE & CO.; JACK IN THE BOX, INC.; JACK IN THE
BOX, INC. CREW EMPLOYEES
HEALTH & WELFARE PLAN;
JACKSON LEWIS LLP WELFARE
PLAN; JACKSON LEWIS, LLP; JACOBS ENGINEERING GROUP, INC.;
JACOBS ENGINEERING GROUP, INC.
EMPLOYEE GROUP INSURANCE
PLAN; JETBLUE AIRWAYS CORPORATION; JETBLUE AIRWAYS GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN; THE JPMORGAN CHASE HEALTH &
PROTECTION PLAN FOR ACTIVE
EMPLOYEES; JONES LANG LASALLE AMERICAS, INC.; JONES LANG LASALLE GROUP BENEFITS PLAN;
KELLY MITCHELL GROUP INC.
MEDICAL PLAN; KELLY MITCHELL GROUP, INC.; EMPLOYEE BENEFIT
PLAN OF THE COMPASS GROUP
USA, INC.; KLA-TENCOR
CORPORATION GROUP INSURANCE
PLAN; KLA-TENCOR CORPORATION; KMI FLEXIBLE BENEFIT PLAN; KINDER MORGAN G.P., INC.; KINETIC CONCEPTS, INC.; KINETICS
CONCEPTS INC. EMPLOYEE
BENEFITS TRUST; KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS SOLUTIONS USA, INC; L BRANDS, INC.; L’OREAL USA S/D, INC.; L’OREAL USA, INC. COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL PLAN; LA-Z-BOY INCORPORATED; LA-ZBOY INCORPORATED MEDICAL
— 14 —
PLAN; LARSON-JUHL US LLC WELFARE PLAN; LARSON-JUHL US LLC WELFARE PLAN; LARSON-JUHL US, LLC; LEAVITT GROUP AGENCY ASSOCIATION; LEAVITT GROUP
AGENCY ASSOCIATION HEALTH
BENEFIT PLAN; LEVEL 3
COMMUNICATIONS, INC. WELFARE
BENEFIT PLAN; LEVEL 3 COMMUNICATIONS, LLC; LEVY RESTAURANTS, INC.; LIMITED
BRANDS, INC. HEALTH AND
WELFARE BENEFITS PLAN; LINDE NORTH AMERICA, INC.; LINDE
NORTH AMERICA, INC. INSURANCE
PLAN; MISA GROUP BENEFIT PLANS;
MAERSK INC. ACTIVE NONUNION
HEALTH AND WELFARE PLAN; MAERSK, INC.; MAKO SURGICAL
CORP HEALTH AND WELFARE
PLAN; MARUBENI ITOCHU STEEL AMERICA, INC.; HEALTH CARE PLAN OF THE EMPLOYEES OF MCM CORP.; MCM CORPORATION; MARY KAY, INC.; MAY KAY, INC.
COMPREHENSIVE EMPLOYEE
HEALTH AND WELFARE PLAN;
MCMASTER-CARR SUPPLY
COMPANY; MCMASTER-CARR
SUPPLY COMPANY GROUP
INSURANCE PROGRAM; MEDCO HEALTH SOLUTIONS, INC.; MEDCO
HEALTH SOLUTIONS, INC. WELFARE
BENEFIT PLAN; MEDEGEN WELFARE BENEFIT PLAN; MEDEGEN, INC.;
MEDICAL SPECIALTIES
DISTRIBUTORS, LLC; MEDICAL
— 15 —
SPECIALTIES DISTRIBUTORS, LLC
GROUP BENEFIT PLAN; MIDAMERICAN ENERGY COMPANY;
MIDAMERICAN ENERGY COMPANY
WELFARE BENEFIT PLAN; MILLARD REFRIGERATED SERVICES, INC.;
MILLARD REFRIGERATED
SERVICES, INC. GROUP MAJOR
MEDICAL; MOBILE MINI, INC.; MOBILE MINI, INC. BENEFIT PLAN;
MOCEAN HEALTH AND WELFARE
BENEFITS PLAN; MOCEAN, LLC; MONAVIE, LLC; MONAVIE, LLC FRINGE BENEFIT PLAN; WELFARE
BENEFIT PLAN FOR EES. OF
METROPOLITAN LIFE; AMPLAN, THE AMTRAK UNION BENEFITS PLAN;
GROUP INSURANCE PLAN FOR
EMPLOYEES OF NEC AND
AFFILIATES; HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN OF MULTIPLAN, INC.; MONROVIA NURSERY COMPANY;
MONROVIA NURSERY COMPANY
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN;
MOUNTAIN VALLEY EXPRESS CO.
INC. WELFARE BENEFIT PLAN;
MOUNTAIN VALLEY EXPRESS CO.,
INC.; MULTIPLAN, INC.; MYRIAD GENETICS, INC.; MYRIAD GENETICS, INC. WELFARE BENEFIT PLAN; NCH CORPORATION; NCH CORPORATION
EMPLOYEE LIFE AND HEALTH
BENEFIT PLAN; NEC CORPORATION OF AMERICA; NPL CONSTRUCTION CO.; NPL CONSTRUCTION CO. EMPLOYEE HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN;
NRC PAYROLL MANAGEMENT
— 16 —
HEALTH AND WELFARE PLAN; NRC PAYROLL MANAGEMENT, LLC;
NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE,
INC.; NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE, INC. HEALTH & WELFARE BENEFITS PLAN;
NATIONAL MENTOR HOLDINGS,
LLC; NATIONAL MENTOR
HOLDINGS, LLC FLEXIBLE BENEFIT
PLAN; NATIONAL RAILROAD PASSENGER CORPORATION;
NATIONAL RAILROAD PASSENGER
CORPORATION CHOICEPLUS
CAFETIRIA PLAN; NATIONSTAR
MORTGAGE GROUP HEALTH AND
WELFARE BENEFIT PLAN; NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC; NEFF RENTAL LLC HEALTH & WELFARE PLAN; NEFF RENTAL, LLC; NETAPP, INC.; NETAPP, INC. GROUP HEALTH PLAN; NEW BREED CORPORATE SERVICES, INC.; NEW
BREED CORPORTE SERVICES INC.
WELFARE BENEFIT PLAN; NIKE, INC.; NIKE, INC. GROUP INSURANCE PLAN; NORTHROP GRUMMAN
CORPORATION GROUP BENEFITS
PLAN; NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORP.; NOVARTIS
PHARMACEUTICALS CORP.
WELFARE BENEFITS PLAN;
NOVARTIS PHARMACEUTICALS
CORPORATION; NURSEFINDERS, INC.; NURSEFINDERS, LLC; ALCAN
SALARIED WELFARE BENEFITS
PROGRAM; GROUP BENEFITS PLAN
FOR EMPLOYEES OF PARSONS
— 17 —
CORPORATION & DESIGNATED SUBSIDIARIES; GROUP INSURANCE
PLAN HOURLY AND SALARIED
EMPLOYEES OF PARKER HANNIFIN
CORP.; OCLC EMPLOYEE WELFARE BENEFIT PLAN; OCLC ONLINE COMPUTER LIBRARY CENTER, INC.;
OLD DOMINION EMPLOYEE
BENEFIT PLAN; OLD DOMINION FREIGHT LINE, INC.; OLIN CORPORATION; OLIN MEDICAL/DENTAL PLAN; ORIX USA CORPORATION; ORIX USA CORPORATION WELFARE PLAN; OSRAM SYLVANIA, INC.; OSRAM
SYLVANIA, INC. PLAN FOR GROUP
INSURANCE; PANALPINA, INC.;
PANALPINA, INC. WELFARE
BENEFITS PLAN; PARKER-HANNIFIN CORPORATION; PARSONS CORPORATION; PAYLESS SHOESOURCE, INC.; PAYLESS SHOESOURCE, INC. MEDICAL PLAN;
PECHINEY PLASTIC PACKAGING,
INC.; PENTAIR, INC.; PENTAIR, INC. ACTIVE EMPLOYEE WELFARE PLAN;
PEFORMANCE FOOD GROUP INC.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS PLAN; PERFORMANCE FOOD GROUP, INC.; PERKINS FLEXIBLE BENEFITS PLAN; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION;
PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION
HEALTH WRAP PLAN; PETCO
ANIMAL SUPPLIES INC. GROUP
BENEFIT PLAN AND TRUST; PETER KIEWIT SONS’, INC.; PETER KIEWIT SONS’, INC. HEALTH AND WELFARE
— 18 —
PLAN; PETSMART SMARTCHOICES BENEFIT PLAN; PETSMART, INC.; PFIZER MEDICAL PAN; PFIZER, INC.;
PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCT
DEVELOPMENT, LLC;
PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCT
DEVELOPMENT, LLC WELFARE
BENEFIT PLAN; PLAINS ALL
AMERICAN GP LLC EMPLOYEE
BENEFIT PLAN; PLAINS ALL AMERICAN GP, LLC; PLATINUM HOME MORTGAGE CORPORATION;
GROUP INSURANCE PLAN FOR
EMPLOYEES OF REXAM, INC.; PPS HOLDINGS, INC.; PPS HOLDINGS, INC. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN; PSC ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, LLC;
PSC, LLC GROUP WELFARE
BENEFITS PLAN; PSN USA HOLDINGS, INC.; PSN USA
HOLDINGS, INC. WELFARE BENEFIT
PLAN; PLAYBOY ENTERPRISES INTERNATIONAL, INC.; PLAYBOY HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN; PRADA USA CORP.; PRADA USA
CORPORATION WELFARE BENEFIT
PLAN; PRECYSE SOLUTIONS, INC.;
PRIME ADMINISTRATION LLC
CONSOLIDATED HEALTH & WELFARE PLAN; PRIME ADMINISTRATION, LLC; PROBUILD HOLDINGS, INC.; PROBUILD
HOLDINGS, INC. WELFARE BENEFIT
PLAN; PROCTOR & GAMBLE RHD, INC.; PROGRESSIVE LOGISTICS SERVICES, LLC; PROGRESSIVE
LOGISTICS SERVICES, LLC MEDICAL
— 19 —
& LIFE INSURANCE BENEFITS PLAN;
QBE FIRST GROUP HEALTH AND
WELFARE PLAN; QBE FIRST INSURANCE AGENCY, INC.; QUANTUM CORPORATION;
QUANTUM CORPORATION HEALTH
AND WELFARE PLAN; RAINBOW USA, INC.; RAINBOW USA, INC. MEDICAL PLAN; RAYTHEON COMPANY; RAYTHEON HEALTH BENEFITS PLAN; RED WING SHOE
COMPANY FLEXIBLE BENEFIT
PLAN; RED WING SHOE COMPANY, INC.; REXAM, INC.; TIRE CENTERS, LLC EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN; TIRE CENTERS, LLC; TOSHIBA
AMERICA INC. GROUP WELFARE
BENEFIT PLAN; TOSHIBA AMERICA, INC; TOWERS WATSON AMERICA, LLC; TOWERS WATSON MEDICAL PLAN; TRIBUNE COMPANY;
TRIBUNE COMPANY BENEFIT
PROGRAM; TRINET HR CORPORATION; TUCKER ELLIS & WEST LLP WELFARE BENEFIT PLAN; TUCKER ELLIS, LLP; U.S. AUTO PARTS NETWORK, INC.; U.S. NURSING CORPORATION; UPM RAFLATAC, INC.; UPM-RAFLATAC,
INC. HEALTH AND WELFARE
BENEFIT PLAN; US AIRWAYS GROUP, INC.; US AUTO PARTS
NETWORK INC. HEALTH AND
WELFARE BENEFIT PLAN; US
NURSING CORP. EMPLOYEE
BENEFIT PLAN; UNION BANK HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN; UNION
— 20 —
BANK, N.A.; UNITED AIRLINES
CONSOLIDATED WELFARE BENEFIT
PLAN; UNITED AIRLINES, INC.; UNIVISION COMMUNCATIONS, INC.;
UNIVISION WELFARE BENEFITS
PLAN; URBAN DECAY COSMETICS HEALTH AND WELFARE PLAN; URBAN DECAY COSMETICS, LLC;
USA TRUCK INC. WELFARE BENEFIT
PLAN; USA TRUCK, INC.; UTI SERVICES, INC.; UTI SERVICES, INC. WELFARE BENEFITS PLAN;
VALEANT PHARMACEUTICALS
INTERNATINAL GROUP WELFARE
PLAN; VALEANT
PHARMACEUTICALS
INTERNATIONAL; VELOCITY
EXPRESS LLC FLEXIBLE BENEFITS
PLAN; VELOCITY EXPRESS, LLC;
VEOLIA ENVIRONMENTAL
SERVICES NORTH AMERICA CORP.
EMPLOYEE HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN;
VEOLIA ENVIRONMENTAL
SERVICES NORTH AMERICA, LLC; VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS, INC.; VERIZON PLAN 550; VIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; VIA
TECHNOLOGIES, INC. HEALTH AND
WELFARE PLAN; GROUP BENEFITS
PLAN FOR EMPLOYEES OF
WORLEYPARSONS CORPORATION; HEALTH & WELFARE BENEFIT
PLANS OF VULCAN MATERIALS
COMPANY; VIACOM HEALTH PLAN; VIACOM, INC.; VOLT INFORMATION SCIENCES, INC.; VOLT
INFORMATION SCIENCES, INC. AND
— 21 —
AFFILIATE EMPLOYEE WELFARE
BENEFITS PLAN; VULCAN MATERIALS COMPANY; W. W.
GRAINGER INC. GROUP BENEFIT
PLAN I; W. W. GRAINGER, INC.;
WACHOVIA CORPORATION HEALTH
AND WELFARE PLAN; WACHOVIA FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.; WALMART INC.; WAL-MART
STORES, INC. ASSOCIATES HEALTH
AND WELFARE PLAN; WE’RE READY TO ASSEMBLE; WE’RE READY TO ASSEMBLE, INC.; WELLS FARGO & CO. HEALTH PLAN; WELLS FARGO & COMPANY; WESTWAYS STAFFING SERVICES HEALTH PLAN;
WESTWAYS STAFFING SERVICES,
INC.; WHOLE FOODS MARKET CALIFORNIA, INC.; WHOLE FOODS MARKET, INC. CAFETERIA PLAN; WILLIAMS-SONOMA STORES, INC.;
WILLIAMS-SONOMA, INC. HEALTH
& WELFARE PLAN; WIPRO HEALTH AND WELFARE PLAN; WIPRO LIMITED; WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC.; WOLVERINE
WORLDWIDE FLEXIBLE SPENDING
ACCOUNT PLAN; WORLD TRAVEL HOLDINGS, INC.; WORLD TRAVEL
HOLDINGS, INC. FLEXIBLE BENEFIT
PLAN; WORLEYPARSONS CORPORATION; WSA GROUP; WSA GROUP, INC.; WYNRIGHT CORPORATION; WYNRIGHT WELFARE BENEFIT PLAN; XETA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; XETA
TECHNOLOGIES, INC. WELFARE
— 22 —
BENEFIT PLAN; YUM! BRANDS, INC.; YUM! BRANDS, INC. RESTAURANT
EMPLOYEES GROUP INSURANCE
PLAN; ZALE CORPORATION; ZALE CORPORATION BENEFITS PLAN; TOWERS WATSON AMERICA, LLC;
UNITEDHEALTH GROUP EMPLOYEE
HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN;
ACCENTURE UNITED STATES
GROUP HEALTH PLAN;
ADVANCE/NEWHOUSE
PARTERNERSHIP; AEGON COMPANIES MEDICAL PLAN;
ALCATEL-LUCENT RETIREE
WELFARE BENEFITS PLAN; ALCATEL-LUCENT USA, INC.;
AMERICAS INC BENEFITPLUS
FLEXIBLE BENEFITS PLAN; BIOMED REALTY L.P.; BIOMED REALTY L.P. WELFARE BENEFITS PLAN; CROWLEY HOLDINGS, INC.;
DARDEN GROUP LIFE AND HEALTH
BENEFIT PLAN FOR HOURLY
EMPLOYEES; DARDEN GROUP LIFE
AND HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN FOR
SALARIED EMPLOYEES; DELOITTE & TOUCHE GROUP INSURANCE PLAN; DELTA ACCOUNT-BASED HEALTHCARE PLAN; DENSO SALES
CALIFORNIA, INC. GROUP LIFE,
ACCIDENT, MEDICAL & DENTAL INSURANCE; DIAGEO NORTH
AMERICA, INC. MEDICAL CARE AND
LIFE INSURANCE PLAN FOR
HOURLY AND RETIRED
EMPLOYEES; DIAGEO NORTH
AMERICA, INC. MEDICAL CARE AND
— 23 —
LIFE INSURANCE PLAN FOR
SALARIED AND RETIRED
EMMPLOYEES; DIAGEO NORTH
AMERICA, INC. MEDICAL CARE AND
LIFE INSURANCE PLAN FOR
HOURLY AND RETIRED
EMPLOYEES; G6 HOSPITALITY
GROUP INSURANCE PLAN ACTAVIS,
INC.; HOLDINGS INC WELFARE HEALTH LIFE & ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENT PLANS; INTERNATIONAL, INC.; JOHN DEERE
HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN FOR WAGE
EMPLOYEES; KATE SPADE & COMPANY; NATIONAL MEDICAL CARE, INC.; NATIONAL MEDICAL
CARE, INC. GROUP MEDICAL,
DENTAL, LIFE AND AD&D PLAN; THE BMS ENTERPRISES, INC.; THE BMS ENTERPRISES, INC. PLAN; THE ESTAEE LAUDER COMPANIES, INC.;
THE JOHN DEERE HEALTH BENEFIT
PLAN FOR SALARIED EMMPLOYEES; WELFARE BENEFITS PLAN;
CROWLEY HOLDINGS, INC.
WELFARE HEALTH LIFE & ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENT PLANS; TOWERS WATSON & CO.; BRIGHT HORIZONS CHILDREN’S CENTERS, LLC; BRIGHT
HORIZONS FLEXIBLE BENEFIT
PLAN; BUCKEYE TECHNOLOGIES
COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CARE
PLAN; BUCKEYE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; BUILD-A-BEAR WORKSHOP, INC.; BUILD-A-BEAR WORKSHOP, INC. WELFARE BENEFIT PLAN;
— 24 —
EDGEWOOD MANAGEMENT
CORPORATION; GLOBAL MAIL, INC.;
GLOBAL MAIL, INC. WELFARE
PLAN; MID-CITY
FINANCIAL/EDGEWOOD
MANAGEMENT; PSI SERVICES, LLC;
PSI SERVICES, LLC HEALTH AND
WELFARE BENEFITS PLAN; POLYAIR CORPORATION; POLYAIR
CORPORATION FLEXIBLE BENEFITS
PLAN; NATIONAL RAILWAY CARRIERS; NESTLE WATERS NORTH
AMERICA HOLDINGS GROUP
BENEFITS PLAN; NESTLE WATERS NORTH AMERICA, INC.; UNITED
TRANSPORTATION UNION HEALTH
& WELFARE PLAN; W.W. GRAINGER INC. GROUP BENEFIT PLAN II;
WINDSTREAM COMPREHENSIVE
PLAN OF GROUP INSURANCE; WINDSTREAM CORPORATION; APL
LIMITED MEDICAL WELFARE
BENEFIT PLAN; HEWLETT-PACKARD
COMPREHENSIVE WELFARE
BENEFITS PLAN; THE GAP, INC.; THE GAP, INC. HEALTH AND LIFE PLAN; DOES; CONESYS, INC.,
Defendants-Appellees.
Appeal from the United States District Court for the Central District of California Michael W. Fitzgerald, District Judge, Presiding
— 25 —
Submitted May 14, 2019** Seattle, Washington
Before: O’SCANNLAIN and FRIEDLAND, Circuit Judges, and EZRA,*** District Judge.
Plaintiff Almont Ambulatory Surgery Center, LLC along with twelve other
surgical centers and one physicians’ medical group (collectively “Almont”) appeal
four orders by the district court denying (1) Almont’s motion for relief from judgment
pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 60(b), (2) Almont’s motion to disqualify
district court Judge Michael Fitzgerald, (3) Almont’s application to file documents in
support of the disqualification motion in camera, and (4) Almont’s motion for
reconsideration of the Rule 60(b) order pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure
59(e). Because the facts are known to the parties, we repeat them only as necessary
to explain our decision.
As an initial matter, the employee welfare plan defendants (collectively
“UnitedHealth”) argue that we lack jurisdiction to review the district court’s denial of
Almont’s Rule 60(b) motion, because such denial was not included in the notice of
appeal for this case. See Almont Ambulatory Surgery Ctr., LLC v. UnitedHealth Grp.,
** The panel unanimously concludes this case is suitable for decision without oral argument. See Fed. R. App. P. 34(a)(2). *** The Honorable David A. Ezra, United States District Judge for the District of Hawaii, sitting by designation.
— 26 —
Inc., No. 2:14-cv-02139-MWF-VBK, ECF Nos. 2056, 2058. Indeed, although
Almont timely appealed the order, the appeal was separately docketed and later
dismissed for failure to prosecute. See Almont Ambulatory Surgery Ctr., LLC v.
UnitedHealth Grp., Inc., No. 16-55844, ECF No. 122. Nevertheless, we can fairly
infer that Almont intended to appeal the Rule 60(b) order, and thus we can construe
the notice of appeal in this case as including it. See Lolli v. County of Orange, 351 F.3d 410, 414 (9th Cir. 2003) (citing Montes v. United States, 37 F.3d 1347, 1351 (9th
Cir. 1994)). Doing so would not prejudice UnitedHealth, who briefed the merits of
the issue. Consequently, we may exercise jurisdiction over the appeal of the Rule
60(b) order. See Lolli, 351 F.3d at 414 .
Almont’s challenge to the court’s denial of the Rule 60(b) motion fails on the
merits. Almont’s proffered reasons for failing to retain counsel by the court’s
deadline are contradicted by the record and do not establish excusable neglect as
required by Rule 60(b). See Bateman v. U.S. Postal Serv., 231 F.3d 1220, 1222 (9th
Cir. 2000).
Almont next challenges the denial of its motion to disqualify presiding Judge
Michael W. Fitzgerald—a decision made by Judge Otis D. Wright II, to whom the
motion had been randomly assigned. But Almont’s theory—that Judge Fitzgerald had
an irreconcilable conflict of interest because (1) his brother, an Assistant United States
— 27 —
Attorney for the Central District of California, allegedly supervised a criminal
investigation involving Almont’s managers and sabotaged Almont’s legal
representation, and (2) the government was a party to this case—finds no support in
the record. As Judge Wright properly found, the U.S. Attorney’s Office engaged in
no impropriety with respect to Almont’s representation. Furthermore, AUSA
Fitzgerald did not enter an appearance in this case, and the government was never a
party at any stage of the proceedings. Absent any factual support for its motion,
Almont has failed to show that disqualification was required under federal law or
applicable codes of judicial conduct. See, e.g., 28 U.S.C. § 455 ; Judicial Conference
of the United States, Committee on Codes of Conduct Advisory Op. No. 38. The
district court did not abuse its discretion by denying the motion.
Nor did the court abuse its discretion by denying Almont’s application to file
certain documents in support of its disqualification motion in camera. Although the
court summarily denied Almont’s application, we may “affirm on any basis supported
by the record,” even where “the district court did not explain its decision.” Allen v.
Bedolla, 787 F.3d 1218, 1222 (9th Cir. 2015); see also United States v. Morales, 720 F.3d 1194, 1201 (9th Cir. 2013). Here, in camera review of the documents that
formed the basis of the disqualification motion would have prevented the employee
plan defendants from mounting an effective defense to the motion in violation of their
— 28 —
due process rights. See Yamada v. Nobel Biocare Holding AG, 825 F.3d 536 , 544–46
(9th Cir. 2016). Consistent with the district court’s rulings on Almont’s previous
requests for in camera review, the court properly denied Almont’s application.
Finally, we reject Almont’s challenge to the denial of its Rule 59(e) motion.
Almont failed to identify legal error or relevant newly discovered evidence, and its
arguments for reconsideration largely repeated the arguments made in support of its
unsuccessful Rule 60(b) motion. See 389 Orange St. Partners v. Arnold, 179 F.3d 656, 665 (9th Cir. 1999). The court did not abuse its discretion by denying the
motion.1
AFFIRMED.
— 1 —
We deny Almont’s motion to file certain excerpts of record in camera and under seal, filed with this court on March 26, 2018; its motions to supplement the record on appeal and to file certain exhibits in camera and under seal, filed August 6, 2018; and its request for judicial notice, filed May 14, 2019.
— 29 —
FILED
Almont Ambulatory Surgery Center, LLC v. UnitedHealth Group, Inc., No. 17-55301
JUN 11 2019
O’SCANNLAIN, Circuit Judge, specially concurring: MOLLY C. DWYER, CLERK
U.S. COURT OF APPEALS
I concur in the judgment and in the court’s reasoning affirming the denial of
Almont’s motion for disqualification, application for in camera review, and motion
for reconsideration.
I respectfully disagree, however, with the conclusion that our court has
jurisdiction to review the district court’s Rule 60(b) order. In my view, the unique
procedural history of this case renders it distinguishable from Lolli: Almont’s appeal
of the Rule 60(b) order was docketed separately from its appeal of the other issues in
this case. Because Almont failed to include the Rule 60(b) order in its notices of
appeal for this case, I would hold that the Rule 60(b) order is not properly before us
and decline to review it. See Valadez-Lopez v. Chertoff, 656 F.3d 851 , 859 n.2 (9th
Cir. 2011).
