Bergman v. Federal Express Corporation Long Term Disability Plan et al
Filing
33
ORDER granting Plaintiff's 21 Motion for Summary Judgment; denying Defendant's 22 Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment. Court orders the following briefing scheduling for the parties to address damages, and any offsets on the amount dama ges, as well as attorneys' fees: A) Plaintiff's motion for damages, limited to ten (10) pages, is due by 10/19/2017, B) Defendants' opposition, limited to ten (10) pages, is due by 11/2/2017, and C) Plaintiff's reply, limited to five (5) pages, is due by 11/9/2017. Court will reserve final judgment until after the issues of damages is decided. Signed by Judge Cynthia Bashant on 9/27/2017. (jah)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
9
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
10
11
BRENDA BERGMAN,
Plaintiff,
12
13
14
15
16
Case No. 16-cv-1179-BAS(KSC)
ORDER:
(1) GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S
MOTION FOR SUMMARY
JUDGMENT (ECF No. 21);
v.
FEDERAL EXPRESS
CORPORATION LONG TERM
DISABILITY PLAN, et al.,
AND
Defendants.
17
(2) DENYING DEFENDANTS’
CROSS MOTION FOR
SUMMARY JUDGMENT (ECF
No. 22)
18
19
Plaintiff Brenda Bergman alleges that Defendant Federal Express Long Term
20
Disability Plan (“FedEx”) and Defendant Aetna Life Insurance Company (“Aetna”)
21
(collectively “Defendants”) denied her long term disability (“LTD”) benefits under
22
the LTD plan provided to her as an employee of FedEx. Specifically, Bergman
23
alleges that her LTD benefits were terminated prematurely on December 31, 2014.
24
Aetna made the determination to terminate her LTD benefits as the claims
25
administrator of the FedEx plan. After an unsuccessful appeal of this termination to
26
the Aetna reviewing board, Bergman commenced this action against both Defendants
27
under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”). 29 U.S.C. §§ 1001-
28
1461. Both sides have now brought cross motions for summary judgment.
–1–
16cv1179
1
The Court finds these motions suitable for determination on the papers
2
submitted and without oral argument. See Civ. L. R. 7.1 (d)(1). For the following
3
reasons, the Court GRANTS Bergman’s Motion for Summary Judgment (ECF No.
4
21) and DENIES Defendants’ motion for summary judgment (ECF No. 22). The
5
Court requests further briefing on damages before entering a final judgment.
6
7
I.
Background
8
Bergman began working for FedEx over thirty years ago in 1984, and until
9
April 2015 she was employed as a Senior Service Agent. Her position was considered
10
a “heavy occupation.” (Administrative Record (“AR”) 006.) Her job consisted of
11
assisting customers, managing records, and completing other office tasks. (AR 185.)
12
Her job requirements included “ability to lift 75 lbs. [and] ability to maneuver
13
packages of any weight above 75 lbs. with appropriate equipment and/or assistance
14
from another person,” but stated “lifting requirements may be modified with district
15
HCMP approval.” (Id.) As an employee of FedEx, she was covered under FedEx’s
16
Short Term Disability (“STD”) Plan and LTD Plan. (Pl. MSJ at 2).1 Both plans are
17
governed by ERISA. 29 U.S.C. §§ 1001-1461. Bergman was found to be disabled
18
under the STD plan and received STD benefits from May 12, 2014 to November 9,
19
2014. (AR 001, 4.) Bergman started to receive LTD benefits on November 10, 2014,
20
but her LTD benefits were terminated on December 31, 2014. (Id.) The parties
21
dispute the termination of Bergman’s LTD benefits.
22
FedEx’s Disability Plan
23
A.
24
Under Section 1.1 of the STD and LTD plan, “disabled” means:
25
either an Occupational Disability or a Total Disability;
provided, however, that a Covered Employee shall not be
26
27
28
“Pl. MSJ” refers to Plaintiff’s Motion for Summary Judgment (ECF No. 21) and
“Def. MSJ” refers to Defendants’ Cross Motion for Summary Judgment (ECF No.
22). “Opp.” refers to the parties’ respective opposition papers (ECF Nos. 24, 25) and
“Reply” to the respective reply papers (ECF Nos. 26, 27).
1
–2–
16cv1179
4
deemed to be Disabled or under a Disability unless he is,
during the entire period of Disability, under the direct care
and treatment of a Practitioner and such Disability is
substantiated by significant objective findings which are
defined as signs which are noted on a test or medical exam
and which are considered significant anatomical,
physiological or psychological abnormalities which can be
observed apart from the individual’s symptoms.
5
(AR 551-52.) “Occupational Disability” is defined as “the inability of a Covered
6
Employee, because of a medically-determined physical or functional impairment . . .
7
to perform the duties of his regular occupation” (AR 555-56), and “Total Disability”
8
is “the complete inability of a Covered Employee, because of a medically-
9
determinable physical or functional impairment . . . to engage in any compensable
1
2
3
10
employment for twenty-five hours per week” (AR 559).
11
For the LTD plan, FedEx served as the plan administrator, and Aetna served
12
as the third party claims paying administrator. (AR 549.) In some circumstances
13
under the LTD plan, FedEx would serve as both the plan and claims paying
14
administrator, but that is not the case for the LTD plan at issue. (AR 361-63, 466-
15
67.) Here, FedEx had delegated the authority to Aetna to make claim determinations
16
and administer benefit claims. (AR 361.) “Subject to [FedEx’s] overall authority,”
17
Aetna had the “discretionary authority to interpret Plan provisions and determine
18
benefit claims.” (Id.) According to the FedEx employee benefits handbook,
19
employees must contact Aetna directly to begin their claim for STD benefits, and
20
should complete and return all of the forms and information requested by Aetna to
21
Aetna. (AR 466-67.) Once the period for STD benefits lapses, Aetna would then
22
“start the LTD claims process at the appropriate time and will contact [the
23
employee’s] health care professional for documentation.” (AR 467.) Additionally, if
24
a LTD claim was denied, Aetna would communicate this decision to the employee,
25
provide her with information regarding how to appeal the decision and what
26
additional information she should provide, and conduct a review of any appeal (done
27
by the Aetna Appeals Review Committee). (AR 469-72.) Other than an employee
28
–3–
16cv1179
1
keeping her supervisor informed of her status, FedEx was not involved in the benefit
2
determination or appeal process. (AR 466-67.)
3
Bergman Applied For And Was Granted STD Benefits.
4
B.
5
On May 5, 2014, Bergman was examined by a physician assistant, Tannis
6
Bolton. (AR 096.) Bergman was 53 years old at the time. (Id.) According to P.A.
7
Bolton’s medical examination, Bergman was injured on April 25, 2014, and suffered
8
a previous industrial injury in mid-1990. (Id.) P.A. Bolton noted that stress from
9
Bergman’s work duties of lifting packages increased pain in her neck, back, and right
10
arm to “severe,” and data entry also aggravated her neck and arm pain. (Id.) She
11
observed that Bergman has “an abnormal posture – appears stiff from upper back to
12
neck while sitting in chair,” “loss of cervical lordosis,” “neck stiffness or splinting,”
13
“[p]osterior cervical tenderness,” and “[s]pasms of the neck muscles,” among other
14
things. (AR 096-97.) P.A. Bolton also stated that Bergman complained of arm, upper
15
back, and knee pain, including tingling in the right arm and “frequent or severe
16
headaches” in the last five years. (Id.) Bergman was diagnosed with cervical
17
radiculopathy and a cervical sprain. (AR 097). The prescribed treatment plan
18
included ongoing pain medication, work restrictions (“Limited use of hand” and “No
19
overhead work. No lift, no pull and no push”), and additional testing. (AR 096.)
20
P.A. Bolton examined Bergman again on May 8, 2014. (AR 103-05.) P.A.
21
Bolton described Bergman’s symptoms similar to the previous visit and noted the
22
same diagnosis and provided similar work restrictions. (Id.) Bergman was again
23
examined on May 20, 2014 with similar observations, except her work restrictions
24
were lifted slightly to allow for some limited lifting, pushing, and pulling of items up
25
to five pounds. (AR 118-21.) The May 20 examination noted that Bergman’s care
26
would be transferred to Dr. Paul Kim, an orthopedic spine surgeon, the following
27
month. On May 30, 2014, Bergman attended another follow-up with P.A. Bolton,
28
and though it was noted that Bergman’s “symptoms are somewhat improved over her
–4–
16cv1179
1
initial visit,” P.A. Bolton found that the “radiculopathy and spasm persist[ed]” and
2
that Bergman’s biggest complaint was pain. (AR 016-18.) The pain treatment and
3
work restrictions continued, and additional physical therapy sessions were added.
4
(AR 018.)
5
On June 4, 2014, Bergman met with Dr. Kim, the orthopedic spine surgeon.
6
(AR 129.) He noted her complaints of neck and right arm pain. (Id.) Dr. Kim
7
reviewed Bergman’s x-ray, which demonstrated a “loss of disc height at C5-C6 and
8
C6-C7.” (AR 132.) He also reviewed Bergman’s June 4, 2014 MRI and noted it
9
demonstrated “moderate stenosis at C5-C6 with moderate-to-severe bilateral
10
neuroforminal stenosis and moderate stenosis at C6-C7.” (AR 132; see also AR 128
11
(June 4, 2014 MRI analysis by San Diego Imagining).) Dr. Kim detailed in his
12
medical report that he and Bergman had a long discussion about treatment options,
13
and that after prior attempts at non-surgical treatment for her symptoms, Bergman
14
wanted to “take care of this problem at this time” with surgery, one of Dr. Kim’s
15
recommendations. (AR 132.) He further noted that “[i]t is medically reasonable that
16
the mechanism of injury as described by the patient caused the symptoms and need
17
for treatment.” (AR 133.) On July 18, 2014, Dr. Kim performed a two-level cervical
18
discectomy and fusion surgery on the C5, C6, and C7 discs, which he detailed in his
19
medical report. (AR 025-27.) The pre- and post-operative diagnoses were the same:
20
cervical stenosis and cervical radiculopathy. (AR 025.) The surgery was free of
21
complications. (AR 026.)
22
Bergman met with Dr. Kim a month later on August 20, 2014 as a follow-up
23
to her back surgery. (AR 028-30.) Dr. Kim observed that Bergman was “overall
24
feeling better” and was without arm pain, though her neck pain persisted. (AR 028.)
25
Bergman had weaned off the stronger pain medication, but was still using medication
26
for pain management. (Id.) Dr. Kim’s diagnosis was cervical radiculopathy on the
27
right side, cervical stenosis (moderate-to-severe at C5-C6 and moderate at C6-C7),
28
and neck pain. (AR 029.) He determined she was temporarily totally disabled. (Id.)
–5–
16cv1179
1
Dr. Kim saw Bergman again on September 18, 2014. (AR 031-33.) His diagnosis and
2
Bergman’s work status remained unchanged, and he found that her future medical
3
status was “unclear at this time, depends on what her clinical progress is.” (AR 032.)
4
Dr. Kim also noted some improvements, including a reduction in pain medication,
5
and that he reviewed two cervical x-rays at this visit. (AR 031-32.) Bergman’s next
6
appointment a month later was largely the same, with additional complaints of pain,
7
which Dr. Kim verified as mild para-trapezial tenderness. (AR 034-36.)
8
On November 20, 2014, Dr. Kim noted that Bergman’s neck and arm pain was
9
“a little better,” but she was “having some bilateral numbness and pain.” (AR 037-
10
39.) X-rays were taken at the appointment, and he noted a “positive Phalen’s [test]
11
and positive median nerve compression test.” (AR 037-38.) Dr. Kim added carpal
12
tunnel to Bergman’s assessment/diagnoses and made a respective treatment plan.
13
(AR 038.) Bergman’s status was upgraded to temporarily partially disabled. (Id.) Dr.
14
Kim met with Bergman a couple weeks later on December 4, 2014, and had similar
15
observations. (AR 040-42.) He also ordered an EMG nerve conduction velocity test.
16
(AR 040-41.)
17
Bergman met with Dr. Warren for the EMG testing on December 17, 2014.
18
(AR 165.) Dr. Warren reported that he was specifically testing for “entrapment or
19
compressive neuropathy, as well as the possibility of cervical motor radiculopathy.”
20
(Id. (providing observations from the EMG test on December 24, 2014).) Dr. Warren
21
found the exam was normal and was reluctant to diagnose Bergman with carpal
22
tunnel syndrome. (Id.) He also found that her EMG was “very benign looking” for
23
motor radiculopathy, but did “not rule out the possibility of sensory radiculopathies.”
24
(Id.)
25
A day later, on December 18, 2014, Dr. Kim examined Bergman and noted
26
that her pain had decreased to “minimal,” but that she had “decreased sensation in a
27
non-dermatomal fashion” with “some pain over the A1 pulleys of the second and
28
fifth fingers on the left and right side.” (AR 043-45.) Bergman still tested “mildly
–6–
16cv1179
1
positive” to the Phalen’s test, and she was scheduled to see Dr. Serocki, a hand
2
specialist. (AR 044.) Bergman’s assessment/diagnoses were cervical radiculopathy,
3
cervical stenosis (moderate-to-severe at C5-C6 and moderate at C6-C7), neck pain,
4
and possible trigger finger. (Id.) Bergman’s work status remained temporarily
5
partially disabled, and Dr. Kim restricted her work abilities to no lifting, pulling, or
6
pushing over ten pounds, required her to wear a splint, and reduced her work day to
7
four hours with a ten minute break every thirty minutes. (AR 165.)
8
C.
9
Aetna Granted And Then Terminated Bergman’s LTD Benefits
10
Aetna determined that Bergman was disabled under the LTD plan from May
11
12 to December 31, 2014, and that she had substantiated this status with “significant
12
objective findings.” (AR 006-08.) For her disability claim, Bergman had provided
13
the medical reports and testing (dated prior to December 31, 2014) described above.
14
(Id.; see also AR 001-03 (“[T]he medical information submitted provided significant
15
objective findings that you were unable to perform the duties of your job as a Sr
16
Service Agent/Non-DOT during that timeframe.”).) Bergman received STD benefits
17
from May 12, 2014 to November 9, 2014, and LTD benefits from November 10,
18
2014 to December 31, 2014. (AR 004.)
19
On January 20, 2015, Aetna initiated a physician peer review by Dr. James
20
Wallquist of Bergman’s ongoing claim for LTD benefits. (AR 167-171.) Dr.
21
Wallquist recognized that Bergman had already qualified for LTD benefits from
22
November 10 to December 31, 2014.2 (AR 168.) Dr. Wallquist reviewed the medical
23
reports from Dr. Kim and Dr. Warren (it seems that P.A. Bolton’s examinations were
24
not provided or reviewed for this review). (Id.) Dr. Wallquist contacted Dr. Kim’s
25
26
27
28
2
Dr. Wallquist classifies these benefits as short term disability, but this is in error
and contrary to the other evidence in the AR. (AR 168.) Dr. Wallquist also errs in
stating that “[a]s of 1/1/15, [Bergman] was six and a half months post cervical fusion
surgery” when Bergman’s surgery was July 18, 2014, or five and a half months prior
to the review. (AR 168, 170.)
–7–
16cv1179
1
office three times for a peer-to-peer consultation on January 8, 12, and 15, but never
2
received a call back. (AR 170.) Ultimately, Dr. Wallquist determined “there was a
3
lack of significant updated quantifiable physical examination findings and
4
diagnostics to correlate with the claimant’s subjective complaints.” (AR 170-71.)
5
On January 30, 2015, Aetna informed Bergman that her LTD benefits were
6
terminated, effective December 31, 2014, because her claim for continuing disability
7
was not supported by any objective findings beyond that date. (AR 006-08.) Aetna’s
8
letter stated that “there are no objective finding to support a continued disability” and
9
contained a few lines regarding the type of objective findings that were lacking. (AR
10
006.) The letter noted that Aetna attempted to reach Dr. Kim three times, but was
11
unable to speak with him. (Id.) It also included a general description regarding how
12
to appeal and perfect one’s claim, but no specifics were given for Bergman’s case
13
nor did the description discuss Aetna’s need to speak with a treating physician.
14
Appeal Process
15
D.
16
On March 14, 2015, Bergman timely appealed the termination decision. (AR
17
010.) In her appeal letter, she stated that she was still under care of Dr. Kim and
18
included further medical documentation. (Id.) Bergman later requested an extension
19
of time to perfect her appeal, specifically noting she wanted to submit information
20
from her upcoming April 3, 2015 appointment with Dr. Kim. (AR 011.) Bergman
21
stated in this request that she had faxed over other documents, and that she thought
22
these were “probably enough at this point, but just thinking, you will need these visit
23
notes anyway, in the long run.” (Id.) Bergman’s appeal included the following
24
additional physician examinations and test results.
25
On February 4, 2015, Bergman had a CT scan and San Diego Imaging
26
provided an analysis of this test. (AR 046.) The analysis compared her current CT
27
scan to that of her pre-surgery June 4, 2014 MRI, and stated, among other things, that
28
Bergman had “posterior osseous spurring caus[ing] mild to moderate central canal
–8–
16cv1179
1
stenosis as well as neural foraminal stenosis, similar to that seen on [the previous]
2
MRI.” (Id.) The report further observed “[m]inimal to mild uncovertebral osseous
3
spurring at C3-4 and C4-5” and “straightening of the cervical lordosis, positional or
4
due to muscle spasm.” (Id.)
5
Dr. Kim’s report from February 5, 2015 documented that he reviewed the
6
February 4 CT scan and found that there was a “solid fusion at C5-C6 and C6-C7”
7
and that Bergman “look[ed] radiographically fused and her CT scan look[ed] better
8
than what her symptoms [were].” (AR 047-49.) But he also stated that the cervical
9
stenosis was “moderate-to-severe at C5-C6 [and] moderate at C6-C7.” (Id.)
10
Additionally, he recommended to “keep the same [work] restrictions” (which
11
included modified work of limiting Bergman’s lifting to ten pounds, mandating ten
12
minute breaks every thirty minutes, and shortening her work day to four hours) with
13
the additional treatment of a Lidoderm patch. (AR 046-49.) He lastly stated “[w]e
14
will see how she does. . . . Hopefully, we can get her to a point where she is
15
functional; however, return back to work to full duty is guarded.” (Id.)
16
A month later, on March 5, 2015, Dr. Kim examined Bergman following her
17
visit with Dr. John Serocki, an orthopedic hand surgeon. (AR 050-51, 54-57.) Dr.
18
Serocki noted Bergman’s complaints of pain, but did not find an “identifiable specific
19
pathology in the hands or wrists that [was] likely to be causing her symptoms” and
20
deferred treatment to Dr. Kim. (AR 051.) Dr. Kim recounted Bergman’s complaints
21
of pain and that her recent CT scan showed “some residual foraminal stenosis;
22
however, none of which correlate[d] with her symptoms.” (Id.) He recommended that
23
Bergman see a rheumatologist and “hold off on work for one month,” and
24
downgraded her status to total temporary disabled. (Id.)
25
On April 3, 2015, Bergman was examined by Dr. Phong H. Tran, a pain
26
management specialist. (AR 061-63.) Dr. Tran noted Bergman’s complaints of pain,
27
which were aggravated by movement and included numbness and tingling; her
28
current employment status as total temporary disabled; and her current medication
–9–
16cv1179
1
treatment plan. (AR 062.) Dr. Tran also observed tenderness and spasms in
2
Bergman’s cervical paravertebral muscles, “cervical compression caus[ing] pain
3
bilaterally,” tenderness to palpitation in the trapezius muscles, and range of motion
4
in Bergman’s knees was decreased and painful with tenderness and Apley’s
5
compression. (Id.) Bergman was prescribed an extensive pain medication plan, and
6
her status remained temporarily totally disabled. (AR 062-63.)
7
During the appeal process, Bergman and Aetna were in communication
8
regarding the process and status of Bergman’s appeal, including whether Aetna had
9
received complete sets of Bergman’s documents. (See, e.g., AR 322.) Additionally,
10
on April 27, 2015, Bergman spoke to Aetna and told them that Dr. Tran was now her
11
primary treating physician. (Id.)
12
Bergman’s Appeal Is Denied.
13
E.
14
Prior to Aetna’s final decision on Bergman’s claim, Dr. Robert Cirincione
15
conducted the physician’s peer review for the appeal process in May 2015. (AR 172-
16
77.) Dr. Cirincione listed the various documents he reviewed, including physician
17
exams, medical tests, and work status reports. (AR 173 (listing almost forty different
18
medical documents).) He additionally stated that he called Dr. Kim on May 6, 2017
19
(despite Bergman informing Aetna that her treating physician had changed) and was
20
informed by Dr. Kim’s office that he was no longer treating Bergman and would not
21
give an opinion in her case. (AR 176.) Dr. Cirincione did not state whether he tried
22
to contact Dr. Tran, or any of Bergman’s other treating physicians, but noted that he
23
had “unanswered” questions regarding Bergman’s examinations and Dr. Kim’s
24
medical findings. (Id.) Aetna did not seek an independent physical examination of
25
Bergman. (See AR 172-177.)
26
After reviewing all of the documents submitted by Bergman, Dr. Cirincione
27
concluded that the “records do not support any significant objective findings that
28
would support a functional impairment that would preclude the claimant from
– 10 –
16cv1179
1
performing her normal duties from 1/1/15 to the current time.” (AR 177.) He
2
discussed four pieces of evidence in reaching his decision: (1) Drs. Kim and Serocki
3
noted Bergman had normal neurologic exams; (2) Dr. Tran stated Bergman’s motor
4
power was normal; (3) Dr. Tran observed diminished sensation, though this was
5
inconsistent with Bergman’s December 24, 2014 EMG of her upper extremities; and
6
(4) Bergman’s February 4, 2015 CT scan showed a solid two level fusion. (Id.) Dr.
7
Cirincione further reasoned that given “these objective findings” and the “lack of
8
clinical documentation of abnormal objective findings,” Bergman had not supported
9
her claim that she could not perform “the essential duties of her occupation.” (Id.)
On June 2, 2015, Bergman received notice that her appeal was denied.
10
11
Bergman commenced this action with the Court on May 16, 2016.
12
13
14
15
II.
Discussion
A.
The Standard Of Review For Aetna’s Denial Of LTD Benefits Is
Abuse Of Discretion.
16
“In the ERISA context, ‘a motion for summary judgment is merely the conduit
17
to bring the legal question before the district court and the usual tests of summary
18
judgment, such as whether a genuine dispute of material fact exists, do not
19
apply.’” Harlick v. Blue Shield of Cal., 656 F.3d 832, 838-39 (9th Cir. 2011)
20
(quoting Nolan v. Heald Coll., 551 F.3d 1148, 1154 (9th Cir. 2009) (internal
21
quotation marks and citation omitted)). Generally, the standard of review afforded to
22
decisions by fiduciaries in ERISA cases is de novo. See Standard Ins. Co. v.
23
Morrison, 584 F.3d 837, 846 (9th Cir. 2009). When the LTD plan contains a
24
discretionary clause, however, an abuse of discretion standard of review applies
25
instead. See Abatie v. Alta Heath & Life Ins. Co., 458 F.3d 955, 963 (9th Cir. 2006)
26
(en banc); see also Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. v. Bruch, 489 U.S. 101, 956-57
27
(1989).
28
– 11 –
16cv1179
1
It is undisputed that Bergman’s LTD plan with FedEx contained a
2
discretionary clause. The parties instead dispute whether this discretionary clause is
3
invalidated by California Insurance Code § 10110.6 (Pl. MSJ at 11; Def. Opp. at 1)
4
and whether the section is preempted by ERISA (Pl. MSJ at 11; Def. Opp. at 2-4).
5
De novo review is appropriate only if § 10110.6 applies and ERISA does not preempt
6
this section. Otherwise, the Court is limited by an abuse of discretion standard.
7
Although the Court finds § 10110.6 does apply to this discretionary clause, it also
8
finds that ERISA preempts § 10110.6. Therefore, ultimately, the Court applies an
9
abuse of discretion review.
10
11
12
13
1.
Section 10110.6 Applies To FedEx’s Plan.
The relevant portion of Section 10110.6 states:
16
a) If a policy, contract, certificate, or agreement offered,
issued, delivered, or renewed . . . that provides or funds life
insurance or disability insurance coverage for any California
resident contains a provision that reserves discretionary
authority to the insurer, or an agent of the insurer, to
determine eligibility for benefits or coverage . . . that
provision is void and unenforceable.
17
Cal. Ins. Code § 10110.6(a). A “provision that reserves discretionary authority” is
18
defined as a provision that “confer[s] discretion on an insurer or other claims
19
administrator to determine entitlement to benefits” and that would “lead to a
20
deferential standard of review by any reviewing court.” Cal. Ins. Code § 10110.6(c)
21
“[I]f any discretionary provision is covered by the statute, ‘the courts shall treat that
22
provision as void and unenforceable.’” Orzechowski v. Boeing Co. Non-Union Long-
23
Term Disability Plan, Plan No. 625, 856 F. 3d 686, 692 (9th Cir. 2017).
14
15
24
Section 10110.6 would clearly apply to the discretionary clause in the LTD
25
plan because it confers discretion to FedEx (or Aetna) to construe the terms of the
26
plan and make eligibility and benefit determinations, causing the standard of review
27
to shift to abuse of discretion.
28
– 12 –
16cv1179
1
Because § 10110.6 applies to this discretionary clause, the Court must
2
determine whether § 10110.6 regulates FedEx’s self-funded LTD plan. While this
3
motion was pending, the Ninth Circuit ruled in Williby v. Aetna Life Ins., Co., 867
4
F.3d 1129 (9th Cir. 2017), that a company’s self-funded plan qualifies as insurance
5
under § 10110.6 because the California Insurance Code defines “insurance” broadly,
6
and can cover some self-funded plans under the code. Thus, though § 10110.6(a) is
7
limited to “a policy, contract, certificate, or agreement . . . that provides or funds life
8
insurance or disability insurance coverage,” § 22 of the California Insurance Code’s
9
broad definition of “insurance” applies to any “contract whereby one undertakes to
10
indemnify another against loss, damage, or liability arising from a contingent or
11
unknown event.” Williby, 867 F.3d at 1134 (quoting Cal. Ins. Code § 22) (emphasis
12
in original). Hence, § 10110.6 regulates more than traditional insurance policies,
13
including non-insurance companies engaged in “insurance.” See id.
14
The Court finds that, because FedEx’s LTD plan provided “insurance”—as
15
defined under the California Insurance Code—§ 10110.6 applies. FedEx’s LTD plan
16
meets the two elements required by § 22: (1) shifting risk of loss from one party to
17
another and (2) distributing that risk among similarly situated people. Cal. Ins. Code
18
§ 22; see also Auto. Funding Grp., Inc. v. Garamendi, 114 Cal. App. 4th 846 (2003).
19
Upon a finding that an employee is no longer able to work, FedEx’s LTD plan
20
contractually promises to pay that employee a portion of his or her compensation.
21
(AR 565.) This agreement shifts the risk of an injury or disability from the employee
22
to FedEx, which FedEx then distributes across all the other employees in the plan.
23
See Williby, 867 F.3d at 1134 (citing additional authority).
24
25
2.
ERISA Preempts Section 10110.6 For FedEx’s Self-Funded
Plan.
26
Although § 10110.6 negates the discretionary clause in this case, the Ninth
27
Circuit has made it clear that ERISA preempts § 10110.6. Williby, 867 F.3d at 1137
28
– 13 –
16cv1179
1
(“ERISA therefore applies to [defendant’s] self-funded STD plan and preempts §
2
10110.6’s application thereto.”).
3
The Ninth Circuit reaches this decision by analyzing the three relevant
4
interrelated provisions governing the preemption of state law: the preemption clause,
5
the saving clause, and the deemer clause. Id. (citing FMC Corp. v. Holliday, 498 U.S.
6
52, 61 (1990)). The preemption clause states that ERISA “shall supersede any and
7
all State laws insofar as they may . . . relate to any employee benefit plan” covered
8
by ERISA. 29 U.S.C. § 1144(a); see Williby, 867 F.3d at 1135 (citing Orzechowski,
9
856 F.3d at 692). The saving clause carves out a group of state laws regulating
10
“insurance, banking, or securities” that are “saved” from preemption (except as
11
provided in the deemer clause). 29 U.S.C. § 1144(b)(2)(A); see Williby, 867 F.3d at
12
1135. Lastly, the deemer clause “qualifies the scope of the saving clause, reviving
13
preemption for certain laws that the saving clause might otherwise carve out from the
14
preemption clause.” 29 U.S.C. § 1144(b)(2)(B); Williby, 867 F.3d at 1135.
15
Specifically, the deemer clause states that no ERISA employee benefit plan “shall be
16
deemed to be an insurance company or other insurer . . . for purposes of any law of
17
any State purporting to regulate insurance companies [or] insurance contracts.” 29
18
U.S.C. § 1144(b)(2)(B). Thus, “a state insurance regulation is preempted to the extent
19
it operates directly on an ERISA plan, even if its stated intent is not pretextual.”
20
Williby, 867 F.3d at 1136 (citing FMC Corp., 498 U.S. at 61-65).
21
In this case, FedEx’s plan is self-funded. Therefore, the deemer clause applies.
22
Williby, 867 F.3d at 1136 (“[T]he deemer clause’s scope turns on the presence or
23
absence of traditional insurance.”). The Ninth Circuit found a “simple, bright-line
24
rule” emerged: “if a plan is insured, a State may regulate it indirectly through
25
regulation of its insurer and its insurer’s insurance contracts; if the plan is uninsured,
26
the State may not regulate it.” Id. (quoting FMC Corp., 498 U.S. at 64). Thus, when
27
§ 10110.6 is applied to FedEx’s self-funded plan, which is not insured, the law falls
28
within the deemer clause and is preempted. See id.
– 14 –
16cv1179
1
2
Because ERISA preempts § 10110.6, and the discretionary clause remains
enforceable, the Court must review Aetna’s decision for abuse of discretion.
3
Aetna Abused Its Discretion When It Denied Bergman’s Claim.
4
B.
5
For the reasons stated below, the Court finds that Aetna abused its discretion
6
when it denied Bergman’s claim for continuing disability. There is no reasonable
7
basis for Aetna’s decision to terminate Bergman’s LTD benefits as of December 31,
8
2014. The extensive record includes significant objective findings that Bergman
9
continued to be disabled and insufficient evidence to support a reasonable
10
determination that Bergman was no longer disabled after December 31, 2014.
11
12
1.
Abuse of Discretion Standard Applies.
13
In ERISA cases and under FedEx’s LTD plan, the plaintiff bears the burden of
14
showing that she was entitled to benefits under her LTD plan. See Muniz v. Amec
15
Const. Mngt., Inc., 623 F.3d 1290, 1294 (9th Cir. 2010).
16
The Ninth Circuit provides the following guidance for applying the abuse of
23
discretion standard in ERISA cases:
In the absence of a conflict, judicial review of a plan
administrator’s benefits determination involves a
straightforward application of the abuse of discretion
standard. In these circumstances, the plan administrator’s
decision can be upheld if it is grounded on any reasonable
basis. In other words, where there is no risk of bias on the
part of the administrator, the existence of a single persuasive
medical opinion supporting the administrator's decision can
be sufficient to affirm, so long as the administrator does not
construe the language of the plan unreasonably or render its
decision without explanation.
24
Montour v. Hartford Life & Acc. Ins. Co., 588 F.3d 623, 629-30 (9th Cir. 2009)
25
(emphasis in original) (internal citations and quotations omitted). It is also an abuse
26
of discretion if an administrator “relies on clearly erroneous findings of fact in
27
making benefit determinations.” Taft v. Equitable Life Assur. Soc., 9 F.3d 1469, 1473
28
(9th Cir. 1993), overturned on other grounds. In short, under a straightforward abuse
17
18
19
20
21
22
– 15 –
16cv1179
1
of discretion review, absent any factors requiring otherwise, if the Court finds that
2
Aetna had a reasonable basis for terminating Bergman’s benefits, then it must find
3
that Aetna did not abuse its discretion.
4
5
2.
There Is No Structural Conflict Of Interest.
6
In this case, there is no structural conflict of interest because FedEx funds the
7
LTD plan and Aetna makes eligibility and payment determinations. See Montour,
8
588 F.3d at 629-30; see also Williby, 867 F.3d at 1138; Abatie, 458 F.3d at 967.
9
Bergman argues, however, that, despite Aetna’s control over the review,
10
determination, and appeal process for LTD benefits in this case, FedEx functions as
11
both the funder and claims paying administrator, and thus a structural conflict interest
12
exists. (Pl. MSJ at 15-16.) Bergman points to language in the agreement that
13
describes FedEx as the “Plan Administrator” with discretion to interpret the plan and
14
make eligibility decisions. (Pl. MSJ at 16.) However, this is not the case for
15
Bergman’s LTD plan. While FedEx may make some claim determinations for other
16
plans, it does not do so for the LTD plan at issue. The facts are clear that Bergman’s
17
LTD plan is self-funded by FedEx, but Aetna independently manages the eligibility
18
and benefits determination process. (AR 361-62 (“For some Plans, FedEx has
19
delegated authority to an insurance company to administer benefits claims under the
20
Plan.”); 521-22 (“The Claims Paying Administrator shall . . . be empowered to
21
interpret the Plan’s provision in its sole discretion in accordance with its terms . . .
22
.”).) There is no evidence in the record that FedEx had any input into terminating
23
Bergman’s LTD benefits. Instead, Bergman and Aetna communicated directly about
24
her claim, Aetna received Bergman’s medical records directly, and Aetna’s letters
25
and FedEx’s employee benefits handbook advised her to only discuss her benefits
26
claim with Aetna directly (other than alerting her supervisor of her condition). (See,
27
e.g., AR 001-03; 322; 466-67); see Williby, 867 F.3d at 1138 (finding no conflict of
28
interest when defendant’s self-funded plan was administered by Aetna).
– 16 –
16cv1179
1
2
Thus, the Court finds there was no structural conflict of interest and will not
review Aetna’s decision with additional scrutiny for this reason.
3
4
5
3.
Other Factors Exist Requiring Additional Skepticism.
Once the Court determines no structural conflict of interest exists, it then may
13
look at other factors requiring additional scrutiny:
More particularly, the court must consider numerous casespecific factors, including the administrator’s conflict of
interest, and reach a decision as to whether discretion has
been abused by weighing and balancing those factors
together. . . . Other factors [than a conflict of interest] that
frequently arise in the ERISA context include the quality and
quantity of the medical evidence, whether the plan
administrator subjected the claimant to an in-person medical
evaluation or relied instead on a paper review of the
claimant’s existing medical records, whether the
administrator provided its independent experts with all of
the relevant evidence, and whether the administrator
considered a contrary SSA disability determination, if any.
14
Montour, 588 F.3d at 630 (internal citations and quotations omitted); see also
15
Gonzales v. Unum Life Ins. Co. of America, 861 F. Supp. 2d 1099, 1107 (S.D. Cal
16
2012) (“[W]hen the administrator mishandles the claim in less [than flagrant] ways,
17
the abuse of discretion standard will apply, however, the procedural violations
18
‘should be factored into the calculus of whether the administrator abused its
19
discretion.’”) (quoting Abatie, 458 F.3d at 971-72).
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
20
Hence, even if there is no structural conflict of interest, the Court must temper
21
the abuse of discretion review if the Court finds additional reasons to view the
22
administrator’s decision with skepticism. See id.; see also Harlick, 686 F.3d at 707
23
(“Our review of the administrator’s decision is also tempered by skepticism if the
24
administrator gave inconsistent reasons for a denial, failed to provide full review of
25
a claim, or failed to follow proper procedures in denying the claim.”). But see Williby,
26
867 F.3d at 1139 (finding that one factor may not warrant extra scrutiny, but the
27
presence of multiple factors likely would).
28
– 17 –
16cv1179
1
In this case, the Court finds a number of factors that warrant additional
2
scrutiny: the failure to follow proper procedures in denying a claim, including failing
3
to provide a reasonably clear reason for denial and communicate fully with Bergman;
4
the absence of an in-person examination of Bergman; and the quality and quantity of
5
medical evidence. See Montour, 588 F.3d at 630; see also Harlick, 686 F.3d at 707;
6
Booton v. Lockheed Med. Benefit Plans, 110 F.3d 1461, 1463 (9th Cir. 1997).
7
The Court should consider a lack of communication and clarity when
8
determining whether the claims administrator abused its discretion. Abatie, 458 F.3d
9
14
at 974. As the Ninth Circuit stated in Abatie:
An administrator must provide a plan participant with
adequate notice of the reasons for denial, and must provide
a full and fair review of the participant’s claim. . . .
Moreover, . . . an administrator that adds, in its final
decision, a new reason for denial, a maneuver that has the
effect of insulating the rationale from review, contravenes
the purpose of ERISA. This procedural violation must be
weighed by the district court 3in deciding whether [the
defendant] abused its discretion.
15
Id. (internal citations and quotations omitted); see also Salomaa v. Honda Long Term
16
Disability Plan, 642 F.3d 666, 680 (9th Cir. 2011) (“An administrator does not do its
17
duty under the [ERISA] statute and regulations by saying merely ‘we are not
18
persuaded’ or ‘your evidence is insufficient.’ Nor does it do its duty by elaborating
19
upon its negative answer with meaningless medical mumbo jumbo.”); Booton, 110
20
F.3d at 1463 (finding that, if administrators fail to use “reasonably clear language”
10
11
12
13
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
ERISA’s required procedures state that a plan administrator must provide to every
claimant a written (or electronic) notice of any adverse determination. 29 C.F.R. §
2560.503-1(g). The notice must “set forth, in a manner calculated to be understood
by the claimant—(i) The specific reason or reasons for the adverse determination;
(ii) Reference to the specific plan provisions on which the determination is based;
(iii) A description of any additional material or information necessary for the
claimant to perfect the claim and an explanation of why such material or information
is necessary;” (iv) how to properly appeal the decision; and, “(vii) In the case of an
adverse benefit determination with respect to disability benefits . . . [a] discussion of
the decision, including an explanation of the basis for disagreeing with or not
following [t]he views presented by the claimant to the plan of health care
professionals treating the claimant.” Id.
3
– 18 –
16cv1179
1
when denying a claim, courts must increase their skepticism of the denial). Moreover,
2
a part of an administrator’s “duty . . . to have a meaningful dialogue with the
3
beneficiary” includes keeping the claimant up to date with the communications that
4
the reviewing board has, or does not have, with the claimant’s doctors. Saffon v. Wells
5
Fargo Co. Long Term Disability Plan, 522 F.3d 863, 873 (9th Cir. 2008) (finding the
6
communication between Aetna and claimant was “hardly a model of clarity”).
7
Even though Bergman has the burden of proof in front of the Court, Aetna was
8
not absolved from having a meaningful dialogue with her. In her initial claim,
9
Bergman submitted various medical examinations, which included analyses of
10
Bergman’s medical testing, for review. (See AR 167-171.) But, in Bergman’s initial
11
termination letter, Aetna provided one short generalized description of why
12
Bergman’s benefits were terminated as of December 31, 2014. (AR 006-08.) The
13
letter fails to explain—in “reasonably clear language”—how Aetna reached its
14
conclusion. See Booton, 110 F.3d at 1463. Aetna failed to explain why the medical
15
examinations from Drs. Kim and Warren, which analyzed medical testing and
16
included objective findings, were insufficient to support Bergman’s ongoing
17
disability, or what specific types of testing and medical exams would be sufficient.
18
The letter also did not explain what changed in Bergman’s claim that caused Aetna
19
to change the earlier determination that Bergman was disabled, i.e. there is no
20
explanation as to whether this was due to a change in her doctors’ observations, her
21
medical testing, or simply a lack of more recent tests or examinations. And, though
22
Aetna’s denial letter provided a general statement of how Bergman could perfect her
23
claim (AR 007), this general description was not specific or helpful. This type of
24
clarity was particularly important in this case because Aetna previously determined
25
that at least some of Bergman’s medical documentation amounted to “significant
26
objective findings” to substantiate Bergman’s entitlement to STD and LTD benefits.
27
(See AR 001.)
28
– 19 –
16cv1179
1
Further, there is no evidence that Aetna communicated to Bergman the
2
importance of speaking to Dr. Kim or that his medical documents and findings would
3
be rejected or ignored without a peer-to-peer discussion (assuming this is what
4
happened, the January 30, 2015 denial letter is not clear). (See AR-006-07; 172-77.)
5
FedEx’s employee benefits handbook specifically states that Aetna will ask claimants
6
for assistance with their physicians if needed. (AR 189 (“If your health care
7
professional does not provide [continuing disability] information, Aetna will ask for
8
your help in obtaining the medical data.”).) If Bergman had this information, she
9
could have had the opportunity to assist Aetna with connecting to an appropriate and
10
willing physician, or provided Aetna with more information from her doctors in lieu
11
of a phone conversation. This was especially relevant here because the reviewing
12
physician on appeal stated that he had questions for Dr. Kim regarding Dr. Kim’s
13
specific objective findings and stated these questions “remain[ed] unanswered.”4
14
(AR 176.)
15
Moreover, while the Court recognizes that Aetna is not required to conduct an
16
in-person examination of a claimant, the Court is permitted to consider the absence
17
of an in-person examination in its abuse of discretion analysis. See Montour, 588
18
F.3d at 630 (finding that for an abuse of discretion case, a court may consider
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
Defendants argue that “the [initial] peer reviewer never stated it could not fully
evaluate Bergman’s claims based upon Dr. Kim’s records without speaking to him
on the telephone.” (Def. Reply at 5). But this is unsupported by the record. Dr.
Wallquist stated: “Had this examiner had the opportunity to peer with Dr. Kim, he
would have been asked to provide quantifiable physical examination findings and
updated diagnostics of the cervical spine that would preclude this claimant from
performing . . . his [sic] occupation.” (AR 170.) Moreover, Dr. Cirincione, the peer
reviewer on appeal, stated: “If I had been able to speak to Dr. Kim I would have
inquired regarding his recommendation for work and what specific objective findings
on his clinical examination would have precluded [Bergman] from working. I would
have noted that she had essentially a normal neurologic examination and a normal
EMG and nerve conduction study and 12/17/14 of the upper extremity. I was unable
to speak with Dr. Kim and therefore these questions remain unanswered.” (AR 176.)
This indicates to the Court that the peer reviewing physicians would have benefited
from receiving more information from Dr. Kim during their review, as well as
Bergman’s actual treating physician at the time of the appeal, Dr. Tran. (See AR 322)
(stating that Bergman informed Aetna on April 27, 2015, a week and a half before
Dr. Kim was contacted by Dr. Cirincione, that Dr. Tran was her new physician).
4
– 20 –
16cv1179
1
“whether the plan administrator subjected the claimant to an in-person medical
2
evaluation or relied instead on a paper review” of the existing medical records). The
3
Court takes this in consideration in its analysis, particularly because Aetna observed
4
that Bergman had many “self-reported” or subjective complaints of pain and because
5
the reviewing doctor on appeal discounted the treating physician’s findings and stated
6
he had “unanswered” questions based on the paper record. (See, e.g., AR 003, 176;
7
Def. MSJ at 6.) This case would have been apt for an in-person examination, but
8
Aetna relied on the medical records only. This provides additional support for the
9
conclusion that Aetna abused its discretion.
10
The Court finds that Aetna failed to follow proper procedures as required by
11
ERISA when it failed to provide a reasonably clear explanation as to why Bergman’s
12
claim was terminated and failed to communicate with Bergman regarding how she
13
could perfect her claim. The Court also finds that Aetna did not subject Bergman to
14
an in-person exam, even though her claim may have benefited from one.
15
Additionally, the Court recognizes the quantity and quality of medical evidence
16
provided by Bergman (over forty documents from various physicians and medical
17
personnel discussed throughout this opinion). (See AR 173.)
18
Thus, the Court reviews Aetna’s decision with an increased degree of
19
skepticism, even under an abuse of discretion standard. However, even without this
20
enhanced skepticism, the Court finds Aetna had no reasonable basis for terminating
21
Bergman’s LTD benefits.
22
23
24
4.
Pain Can Be Considered If There Are Other Objective
Findings.
25
The Ninth Circuit has held that plans “conditioning an award on the existence
26
of evidence that cannot exist” are “arbitrary and capricious.” Salomaa, 642 F.3d at
27
678; see also May v. AT&T Umbrella Ben. Plan No. 1, No. 11-cv-2204-JCS, 2012
28
WL 1997810, at *17 (N.D. Cal. June 4, 2012) (holding that a benefits denial was
– 21 –
16cv1179
1
“arbitrary to the extent that it was based on [a reviewing physician’s] implicit
2
rejection of Plaintiff’s subjective complaints of pain”). The Ninth Circuit has noted
3
that pain is subjective and not readily measured in objective findings. See, e.g., Fair
4
v. Bowen, 885 F.2d 597, 601 (9th Cir. 1989) (holding that pain is “completely
5
subjective” and “cannot be objectively verified or measured”); see also James v.
6
AT&T West Disability Benefits Program, 41 F. Supp. 3d 849, 879-80 (N.D. Cal.
7
2014) (finding abuse of discretion when evidence of chronic pain and depression
8
were ignored). Thus, ERISA plans are prohibited from denying a claim for a lack of
9
objective evidence if only subjective evidence of pain exists. Accordingly, courts can
10
consider subjective complaints of pain in its abuse of discretion analysis. See Bowen,
11
885 F.2d at 602 (“[A reviewing board] may not discredit pain testimony merely
12
because a claimant’s reported degree of pain is unsupported by objective medical
13
findings.”); see James, 41 F. Supp. 3d at 879-80 (finding an abuse of discretion when
14
the plan did not explain why a history of pain and pain management was insufficient
15
[“and essentially disregarded them”] or what evidence would be considered
16
sufficient).
17
Here, FedEx’s LTD plan states clearly that pain alone cannot prove disability.
18
(AR 007 (“Pain, without significant objective findings, is not proof of disability.”),
19
188 (“[P]ain alone is not proof of disability.”).) And while it seems that the terms of
20
the LTD plan do not prohibit or exclude pain from an analysis of a claim if other
21
objective findings are present, this is clearly what Aetna did. (AR 003 (“Although
22
you . . . continue to complain of neck and bilateral knee pain, there are no significant
23
deficits in range of motion or muscle strength, any neurological deficits or gait
24
abnormalities.”), 006 (“Although you continue to report subjective complaints of
25
cervical spine pain, there was no documentation of complications from the surgery,
26
no physical examination abnormalities, sensory impairments or motor deficits
27
noted.”).)
28
– 22 –
16cv1179
1
The Court concludes Aetna turned down Bergman’s application, at least in
2
part, because it refused to credit Bergman’s symptoms of pain. See Saffon, 522 F.3d
3
at 871 (criticizing a plan administrator for not explaining why he was “unconvinced”
4
of claimant’s claims of chronic pain, and for not telling the claimant or the treating
5
physicians what they would need to do to convince him). Bergman constantly and
6
consistently reported symptoms of pain to her treating physicians. (See, e.g., AR 016-
7
18 (noting Bergman’s biggest complaint was pain); AR 043-45 (complaining of pain
8
months after her surgery); AR 061-63 (reporting during her visit with a pain specialist
9
that her pain was “7/10 . . . without medication”).) Additionally, along with “self-
10
reported” pain, as Defendants repeatedly coin it, there are observations of pain by her
11
medical examiners (see, e.g., AR 034-36 (verifying complaints of pain, as mild para-
12
trapezial tenderness); 062 (“[C]ervical compression [is] caus[ing] pain bilaterally . .
13
. .”)), as well as medical testing that show ongoing issues with her spine (see, e.g.,
14
AR 046). Thus, Aetna’s refusal to recognize Bergman’s subjective, continuing, and
15
at times verified pain symptoms adds to the Court’s finding that Aetna abused its
16
discretion in terminating Bergman’s LTD benefits.
17
5.
18
Bergman Provided Significant Objective Findings.
19
Bergman was required by the LTD plan to provide “significant objective
20
findings” that “because of a medically-determined physical or functional
21
impairment” she was no longer able “to perform the duties of [her] regular
22
occupation.” (AR 555-56.) Bergman’s job description mainly described a customer
23
service desk job, but it also involved moving customer packages and required her to
24
be able to lift up to seventy-five pounds, a fact that the reviewing physician repeated
25
multiple times in his analysis. 5 (AR 173-77; AR 185 (full job description).) Bergman
26
Defendants point out that Bergman’s job description could have been modified to
not require the lifting of seventy-five pounds (AR 185; Def. Opp. at 11-12), but the
required approval of this modification never occurred. (See AR-185.) Hence, the
Court analyzes the job description as is, especially given that the reviewing doctor
on appeal considered this requirement in his analysis. (See AR 172-77.)
5
27
28
– 23 –
16cv1179
1
submitted over forty medical documents for review of her appeal from at least five
2
different medical professionals of varying specialties and covering a period of over
3
a year which documented years of pain and other diagnoses. (AR 172-77.) The most
4
recent examinations occurred in the weeks before her final decision, and many of the
5
medical examinations and testing occurred in the months following the termination
6
of her benefits, including a CT scan from the same imaging company that Bergman
7
used to substantiate her earlier claim of disability.6 (Id.)
8
Though, of course, a plan administrator “may not arbitrarily refuse to credit a
9
claimant’s reliable evidence, including the opinions of a treating physician,” the court
10
cannot “impose on plan administrators a discrete burden of explanation when they
11
credit reliable evidence that conflicts with a treating physician’s evaluation.” Black
12
& Decker Disability Plan v. Nord, 538 U.S. 822, 834 (2003)); see also Salomaa, 642
13
F.3d at 679 (“Weighty evidence may ultimately be unpersuasive, but it cannot be
14
ignored.”). However, in this case, Aetna points to no reliable evidence it is crediting.
15
Instead, it is simply arbitrarily refusing to credit Bergman’s reliable evidence.
16
As an initial matter, Defendants bring to the Court’s attention various
17
comments from P.A. Bolton’s and Dr. Kim’s earlier medical examinations that they
18
argue cut against Bergman’s claim of disability. (See, e.g., Def. MSJ at 2-4; Def.
19
Opp. at 8, 12) (bolding phrase like “Plaintiff’s head and neck exam was normal,” she
20
“had more pain and symptoms than what is typical for her type of injury,” and Dr.
21
Kim restricted her to “continued modified work at this time”). But these comments
22
Defendants argue that any documents not in front of Aetna’s initial reviewing board
are “irrelevant” and should not be considered (Def. Reply at 8), but the Court’s
review is not so limited. The Court may review all of the documents in the
administrative record, which includes those documents in front of both reviewing
boards. See Abatie, 458 F.3 at 970. Moreover, the existence of significant objective
findings after the date Aetna terminated Bergman’s LTD benefits is relevant because
it informs the reasonableness of the final decision relating to whether Bergman had
a continuing disability. (Def. Reply at 8.) The record is also clear that Aetna’s appeal
reviewing board and the reviewing physician considered these documents and
Bergman’s injuries after December 31, 2014. (AR 001-03, 172-77 (“I have been
asked if there are significant objective clinical documentation that reveals a
functional impairment that would precluded the claimant of performing the essential
duties . . . from 1/1/15 to the current time.”).)
6
23
24
25
26
27
28
– 24 –
16cv1179
1
were made when Aetna initially determined Bergman was “disabled” under FedEx’s
2
disability plan (or a few days before). Hence, these observations show that Aetna
3
understood that Bergman could have some normal testing or non-correlated
4
symptoms and still substantiate a disability claim through other evidence. Moreover,
5
when these types of test results and observations occurred later on, they show that
6
Bergman was similarly situated to when Aetna already determined Bergman to be
7
“disabled” and rebut any inference that Bergman was improving in these areas. Thus,
8
the use of these type of findings to defend the reasonableness of Aetna’s termination
9
decision is not credible. (See, e.g., AR 003 (reasoning “no significant deficits in range
10
of motion or muscle strength, any neurological deficits or gait amoralities” supported
11
termination); 006 (listing “no documented continuation of decreased range of
12
motion” among the reasons for denial); Def. Reply at 4-6 (citing to other instances
13
where Bergman’s complaints of pain and physical abnormalities did not exactly line
14
up); (Def. Opp. at 8-12 (arguing Bergman could work and was not disabled because
15
her work was modified).)
16
In its initial termination letter, Aetna only lists the absence of certain medical
17
findings and ignores the other significant ones, such as the positive Phalen’s test, Dr.
18
Kim’s observation of the presence of radiculopathy after reviewing Bergman’s x-
19
rays, her diagnosis including stenosis, various pain and numbness complaints, and
20
work status determinations and restrictions supporting a disability. (See AR 004-06,
21
043-45, 165.) Specifically, days before her denial, Dr. Warren examined Bergman,
22
and stated her EMG did “not rule out the possibility of sensory radiculopathies.” (AR
23
292.) Dr. Kim similarly confirmed Bergman’s diagnosis of radiculopathy and
24
continued to treat her and restrict her work abilities. (AR 043-45.) Aetna failed to
25
rebut these significant objective findings with any credible evidence.
26
For the final termination decision, though the Court can find some
27
reasonability in Dr. Cirincione’s decision to discount Dr. Tran’s observation of
28
Bergman’s decreased sensation in her upper extremities in light of her December
– 25 –
16cv1179
1
2014 EMG test (though these occurred four months apart), he did not provide any
2
basis for ignoring her other reported symptoms and diagnoses, including Dr. Tran’s
3
other observations. (See AR 062 (detailing a decreased range of motion, pain in
4
cervical spine, muscle spasms, and “cervical compression caus[ing] pain
5
bilaterally”).) For example, Dr. Cirincione noted Bergman’s February 4, 2015 CT
6
scan showed a solid two level fusion, but ignored the other notes showing Bergman
7
had “posterior osseous spurring caus[ing] mild to moderate central canal stenosis as
8
well as neural foraminal stenosis, similar to that seen on [the previous] MRI,”
9
“minimal to mild uncovertebral osseous spurring at C3-4 and C4-5,” and
10
“straightening of the cervical lordosis, positional or due to muscle spasm.” (Id.) Dr.
11
Cirincione also did not credit other evidence to rebut Dr. Kim’s observations
12
following the CT scan. (See AR 046.) (observing Bergman’s cervical stenosis was
13
“moderate-to-severe at C5-C6 [and] moderate at C6-C7” and that she had not
14
significantly improved and was not functional); see also AR-054-56 (downgrading
15
Bergman’s status to totally disabled a month later).) Instead, Dr. Cirincione seemed
16
to discount completely, and unreasonably, Dr. Kim’s multiple medical examinations
17
and work status reports because he could not speak to him on the phone. (See AR-
18
176 (noting his “unanswered” questions for Dr. Kim).)
19
Nothing else in the record discredits Bergman’s objective findings or supports
20
that Bergman’s objective findings were not significant. None of Bergman’s
21
examinations stated that Bergman’s impairment ceased or that she was able to return
22
to work at full capacity, or even to half capacity considering her extensive
23
restrictions.7 (See AR 165.) And not one physician indicated that Bergman was not
24
7
25
26
27
28
The Court does not find, as Defendants argue, that Bergman could perform her work
duties meaningfully following Dr. Kim’s work restrictions. (See Def. Reply at 4.)
Bergman was limited to lifting no more than ten pounds and to working no more than
four hours a day with ten minute break every thirty minutes. (See AR 046-49; 165.)
This recommendation allowed Bergman around three hours each day to perform her
normal work duties, including desk work. Moreover, under the LTD plan’s
definitions, Bergman not only had an “Occupational Disability” but also a “Total
Disability” because she could not work for more than twenty-five hours per week.
(AR 559.)
– 26 –
16cv1179
1
genuine or fabricated her symptoms. Instead, her physicians continued to document
2
and treat her symptoms and diagnoses with various medications and therapies, even
3
if her complaints did not specifically link up with the physical findings. (See, e.g.,
4
AR 047-49 (noting that the “CT scan looks better than what her symptoms are” but
5
continuing to restrict her work duties to four hours, among other things); 050-52
6
(recommending further therapy for her back and shoulder muscles and treatment
7
from her spine doctor, even though no specific pathology was identified for her hand
8
pain); 061-63 (prescribing an extensive pain management plan).) The record shows
9
Bergman had supported her disability claim with significant objective findings, and
10
Aetna abused its discretion when it found otherwise.
11
12
6.
The Court Will Not Consider Additional Evidence.
13
Lastly, Bergman asks the Court to consider the Social Security
14
Administration’s January 23, 2017 decision to grant her disability benefits as of April
15
5, 2016 in its review. (Pl. Reply at 9, Ex. 1.) Defendants object to this supplemental
16
evidence, arguing that under the abuse of discretion standard, a court may only
17
consider the evidence that was in front of the reviewing board at the time of its
18
decision. The Ninth Circuit ruled in Abatie that, even when a court is applying the
19
abuse of discretion standard, it may consider additional evidence if a procedural
20
irregularity occurred, preventing a “full development of the administrative record.”
21
Abatie, 458 F.3 at 973 (finding a district court erred when it failed to consider a
22
treating physician’s declaration that the claimant remained disabled from when he
23
left work until his death). It is not clear to the Court whether this exception would
24
apply to evidence from outside this distinct review period, though Aetna recognized
25
in their final decision letter that Bergman was awaiting a decision on her social
26
security disability claim. (See AR-003.) Ultimately, however, the Court finds the
27
Social Security Administration’s decision does not affect the Court’s determination,
28
and thus declines to consider this as additional evidence.
– 27 –
16cv1179
1
III.
Conclusion
2
For the foregoing reasons, the Court GRANTS Bergman’s Motion for
3
Summary Judgment (ECF No. 21) and DENIES Defendants’ Cross Motion for
4
Summary Judgment (ECF No. 22).
5
The Court ORDERS the following briefing scheduling for the parties to
6
address damages, including the effect of Bergman’s retirement, her disability status
7
(occupational v. totally disabled; temporary v. permanent), and any offsets on the
8
amount of damages, as well as attorneys’ fees:
9
(A)
later than October 19, 2017;
10
11
(B)
14
15
16
Defendants’ opposition, limited to ten pages, is due no later than
November 2, 2017
12
13
Plaintiff’s motion for damages, limited to ten pages, is due no
(C)
Plaintiff’s reply, limited to five pages, is due no later than
November 9, 2017.
The Court will reserve final judgment until after the issues of damages is decided.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
17
18
DATED: September 27, 2017
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
– 28 –
16cv1179
Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.
Why Is My Information Online?