N O T FO R PUB L ICAT IO N

UNITED STATES C OUR T OF APPEALS

FOR THE NINTH C IR C UIT

ALM ONT AM B ULATOR Y SUR GER

Y C ENTER , LLC , a

C a lifornia

lim ite d lia bility c om pa ny ; B AKER

FIELD SUR GER Y INSTITUTE, LLC , a C a l ifornia lim ite d lia

bility c om pa ny ; C IR O SUR GER Y C E NTER , LLC , a

C a lifornia lim i te d lia bility c om pa ny ; EAST B AY AM B ULATOR

Y SUR GER

Y, LLC , a C a l ifornia lim ite d lia

bility c om pa ny ; M ODER N INSTITUTE OF PLASTIC SUR GER Y & ANTIAGING, INC

. , a C a l ifornia c orporat ion; NEW

LIFE SUR GER Y C E NTER , LLC , DB A B e ve rly Hills Surge ry

C e nte r, a C a lifornia

lim ite d lia bility c om pa ny ; OR ANGE GR OVE SUR GER Y C E NTER , LLC , a

C a lifornia lim i te d lia bility c om pa ny ; SAN DIEGO AM B ULATOR

Y SUR GER

Y C ENTER , LLC , a C a lifornia

lim ite d lia bility

c om pa ny ; SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY SUR GER Y C E NTER , LLC , a

C a lifornia lim i te d lia bility c om pa ny ; SKIN C ANC ER & R EC ONSTR

UC TIVE SUR GER

Y SPEC IALIST OF B EVERL Y HILLS, INC ., a C a lifornia

c orporation; VALENC IA AM B ULATOR Y SUR GER

Y C ENTER , LLC , a

C a lifornia

lim ite d lia bility c om pa ny ; W EST HILLS No. 17-55301

D.C . No. 2:14-c v-02139-M W F-VB K

M EM O R ANDUM * 

# FIL ED

JUN 11 2019

M OLLY C. DW Y ER, CLERK U

. S. CO URT O F APPEALS

* This disposition is n o t ap p r o p r iate for public a tion a nd is not pre c e de nt

e xc e pt a s provide d

by Ninth C irc uit R

ule 36-3.SUR GER

Y C E NTER , LLC , a

C a lifornia lim i te d lia bility c om pa ny ; PALM DALE SUR GER Y C E NTER , LLC , a

C a lifornia lim i te d lia bility c om pa ny ; INDEPENDENT M EDIC AL SER VIC ES, INC ., a C a lifornia

c orporation,

Pla i ntiffs-Appe lla

nts,

v.

UNITEDHEALTH GR OUP, INC .; UNITED HEALTHC A R E SER VIC ES, INC .; UNITEDHEALTHC AR E INSUR ANC E C OM PANY; OPTUM INSIGHT, INC .; AM ER IC AN ASSOC IATION OF R E TIR ED PER SONS (AARP), a

Distric t of C olum

bia

c orporation; AAR

P EM PLOYEES W ELFARE PLAN; AC C ENTURE, LLP, a De la ware lim ite d lia

bility pa rtne rship; AC C OR NOR T H AM ER IC A, INC ., a De la ware c o rpora tion; AC C OR NOR TH AM E R IC A, INC . GR OUP INSUR ANC E PLAN, a De la ware c orporation; AC TAVIS, INC ., a

De la w are c orporation; AC TAVIS HEALTH AND W ELFARE PLAN; AC USHNET C O M PANY, a De la ware c o rpora tion; AC USHNET C OM PANY C ONSOLIDATED HEALTH AND W ELFARE PLAN; ADP TOTALSOUR C E, INC ., a Florita

c orporation; ADP TOTALSOUR C E INC

. HEALTH AND W ELFARE PLAN; AEGIS M EDIA AM ER IC AS, INC ., a De la ware c o rpora tion; AEGIS M EDIA NOR TH AM ER IC A W ELFARE

2B ENEFIT PLAN; AEGON USA, LLC , a n Iowa lim ite d lia bility c om pa ny ; AEGON C OM PANIES FLEXIB LE B ENEFITS PLAN; AER

A ENER GY SER

VIC ES C OM PANY, a De l aware c orporation; AER A ENER G Y SER

VIC ES C OM PANY M EDIC AL B ENEFITS PLAN; AIR LIQUIDE USA, LLC
, a

De la w are lia bility

c om pa ny ; AIR LIQUIDE USA, LLC GR OUP B ENEFITS PLAN; AKZO NOB EL, INC ., a

De la ware c orporation; AKZO NOB EL, INC

. SALAR IED EM PLOYEES GR OUP B ENEFITS PR OGR AM ; ALC ON LAB OR

ATOR IES, INC ., a De la ware c orporation; ALC ON LAB OR ATOR IES, INC

. VOLUNTAR Y EM PLOYEES B E NEFIC IAR Y ASSOC IATION TR

UST; ALL AM E R IC AN C ONTAINER S, INC .; ALL AM E R IC AN C ONTAINER S INC

. W ELFARE B ENEFIT PLAN; ALLSTATE INSUR

ANC E C OM PANY; ALLSTATE C AFETER IA PLAN; ALPHA M EC HANIC AL, INC .; ALPHA M EC HANIC AL HEATING & AIR C ONDITIONING INC . HEALTH INSUR ANC E PLAN; ALTEC INDUSTR IES, INC .; AM ER IC AN AIR LINES, INC .; GR OUP LIFE AND HEALTH B ENEFITS PLAN; AM E R IC AN B UILDING SUPPLY, INC .; AM E R IC AN B UILDING SUPPLY, INC

. EM PLOYEES B E NEFIT PLAN; AM E R IC AN FINANC IAL GR OUP, INC .; AM E R IC AN FINANC IAL GR OUP, INC

. GR OUP W ELFARE B E NEFIT PLAN; AM E R IC AN INTER

N ATIONAL

3GR OUP, INC .; AM E R IC AN

INTER NATIONAL GR OUP INC

. M EDIC AL PLAN; ANHEUSER -B USC H C OM PANIES, INC .; ANHEUSER

B USC H EM PLOYEES B ENEFIT TR UST; ANIXTER , INC .; ANIXTER INC . GR OUP INSUR

ANC E; ANN, INC .; ANN, INC . W ELFARE B E NEFITS PLAN; ANSC HUTZ ENTERTAINM ENT GR OUP, INC .; AEG EM PLOYEE HEALTH & W ELFARE PLAN; APAR TM ENT M A

NAGEM ENT C ONSULTANTS B ENEFITS PLAN; APL LIM ITED; W ELFARE PLAN FOR EM PLOYEES OF APL LIM ITED; APPLE, INC . HEALTH AND W ELFARE B ENEFIT PLAN; APPLE AM ER IC AN GR OUP LLC ; APPLE AM ER IC AN GR OUP LLC SEC TION 125 PLAN; APTC O , LLC ; AR

DENT SER

VIC ES, LLC ; AR DENT SER

VIC ES, LLC M EDIC AL PLAN; AT& T INC .; AT& T UM B R ELLA B ENEFIT PLAN; AT& T M OB ILITY LLC ; C INGULAR W IR ELESS M EDIC AL PLUS PLAN; ATI SYSTEM S INTER

NATIONAL, INC .; ATI SYSTEM S; AUC TION.C OM
, LLC ; AUC TION.C OM EM PLOYEE B ENEFIT PLAN; AUTOM ATIC DATA PR OC E SSING, INC .; AUTOM ATIC DATA PR OC ESSING, INC . FLEX 2000 PLAN; AVON PR ODUC TS, INC .; AVON PR ODUC TS, INC . M E DIC AL PLAN FOR AC TIVE EM PLOYEES; B AKER HUGHES INC

. ; B A KER HUGHES, INC . W ELFARE B ENEFITS PLAN; B A R

NES & NOB LE INC .;

4B AR

NES & NOB LE INC

. C OM PR EHENSIVE M EDIC AL AND DENTAL PLAN; B A USC H & LOM B INC ORPOR

ATED; B AUSC H & LOM B C OM PR EHENSIVE M EDIC AL PLAN; B AYSIDE M A

NAGEM ENT C OM PANYLLC EM PLOYEE B ENEFIT PLAN; B A YSIDE M ANAGEM ENT C OM PANY, LLC ; B B A AVIATION USA, INC .; B B A AVIATION, INC

. B ENEFIT PLAN; B EC TON DIC KINSON AND C OM PANY GR OUP LIFE AND HEALTH PLAN; B E C T ON, DIC KINSON AND C OM PANY; B ELM ONT VILLAGE, LP; B ELM ONT VILLAGE LP HEALTHC AR E B ENEFITS PLAN; B EST B UY C O . INC .; B EST B UY FLEXIB LE B ENEFITS PLAN; B E ST M EDIC AL INTER NATIONAL, INC .; B EST M EDIC AL INTER

NATIONAL B ENEFIT PLAN; B L AC K B OX NETW ORK SER VIC ES, INC .; B LAC K B OX NETW ORK SER

VIC ES GR O UP M EDIC AL PLAN; B M W OF NOR TH AM E R IC A, LLC ; B M W

OF NOR TH AM E R IC A LLC HEALTH AND W ELFARE PLANS; B N SF R AILW AY C OM PANY; B NSF R

AILW AY C OM PANY FLEXIB LE B ENEFIT PLAN; B O AT AM ER IC A C ORPOR ATION; B OAT U.S. HEALTH PLAN; B O STON M ARK ET C ORPOR ATION; B OSTON M ARKET C ORPOR ATION HEALTH AND W ELFARE PLAN; B R

ADY C ORPOR ATION; W .H. B R

ADY C O.

5INSUR ED B E NEFITS PLAN;

ADVANC E/NEW HOUSE PAR TNER SHIP HEALTH B ENEFITS PLAN; B R INKER

SER VIC E S C ORPOR ATION; B R INKER INTER NATIONAL, INC . W ELFARE B ENEFIT PLAN; B R INK’ S INC ORPOR

ATED; THE B R INKS C OM PANY C OM PR E HENSIVE HEALTH AND W ELFARE PLAN; B UC A R ESTAUR

ANTS 2, INC .; B UC A INC . HEALTH C AR E B ENEFIT PLAN; B UILDING M ATER IALS C ORPOR ATION OF AM ER IC A; GAF M ATER IALS C ORPOR

ATION W ELFARE B ENEFIT PLAN; B U PA W OR LDW IDE C ORPOR ATION; B UPA W OR LDW IDE C ORPOR ATION HEALTH & B E NEIFTS PLAN; B W AY C ORPOR ATION; B W AY C ORPOR ATION C OM PR EHENSIVE M EDIC AL PLAN; C ALIB ER HOM E LOANS, INC .; VERIC RE ST FINANC IAL, INC . W ELFARE AND B ENEFITS PLAN; C ALIFOR NIA C HAR TER

SC HOOLS ASSOC IATION; C C SA EM PLOYEE B ENEFIT W ELFARE TR

UST C /O B R

M S; C B EYOND C OM M UNIC A TIONS LLC ; C B EYOND C OM M UNIC A TIONS HEALTH AND W ELFARE PLAN; C B IZ M HM , LLC ; C B IZ INC . GR OUP HEALTH AND W ELFARE PLAN; C B S C ORPOR ATION; C B S HEALTH AND W ELFARE B ENEFITS PLAN; C EC ENTER TAINM ENT C ONC EPTS LP; C EC ENTER TAINM E NT W ELFARE

6B ENEFIT PLAN; C ENTR AL PAR KING SYSTEM ; C ENTR

AL PAR KING SYSTEM HEALTH AND W E LFAR E PLAN; C E NTR IC GR OUP LLC ; C ENTR IX GR OUP HOSPITAL PLAN; C GX ENER GY, LLC ; C OGENTR IX ENER G Y, LLC G R OUP INSUR ANC E PLAN; C

. H. R O B INSON C OM PANY, INC .; C .H. R O B INSON C OM PANY GR OUP HEALTH M AJOR M EDIC AL PLAN; C H AR LOTTE R

U SSE, INC .; C HARLOTTE R

USSE HOLDING, INC

. W ELFARE B ENEFIT PLAN; C HARM ING SHOPPES, INC .; C HARM ING SHOPPES, INC . M EDIC AL PLAN; C H EVR ON C ORPOR ATION; C HEVR ON C ORPOR

ATION OM

NIB US HEALTH C AR E PLAN; C HILD DEVELOPM ENT INC ORPOR ATED; C DI GR OUP W ELFAR E PLAN; C ITIGR OUP M ANAGEM ENT C ORP.; C ITIGR OUP HEALTH B ENEFIT PLAN; C NA FINANC IAL C ORPOR ATION HEALTH AND GR O UP B ENEFITS PR OGR AM ; C OGNIZANT TEC HNOLOGY SOLUTIONS C O RP.; C OGNIZANT HEALTH & W ELFARE B ENEFIT PLAN; C OM FOR T SYSTEM S USA, INC .; C OM FOR T SYSTEM S USA HEALTH & W ELFARE PLAN; C OM M SC OPE, INC . OF NOR TH C AR OLINA; C OM M SC OPE W ELFARE B ENEFIT PLAN; C ONESYS EM PLOYEE B ENEFIT PLAN; C ONM ED C ORPOR

ATION; C ONM ED C ORPOR ATION HEALTHC AR E PLAN; C ONSTR UC TION TEAM STER S

7SEC UR ITY FUND FOR SOUTHER

N C ALIFOR

NIA; C O UR T B USINESS SER VIC ES C ORPOR

ATION; C OUR T B USINESS SER

VIC E S C O RPOR

ATION GR OUP INSUR

A NC E PLAN; C OVIDIEN, LP; C OVIDIEN HEALTH & W ELFARE B ENEFITS PLAN; C R EDIT SUISSE SEC UR ITIES (USA), LLC ; C R EDIT SUISSE SEC U R ITIES (USA) LLC GR OUP HEALTH C AR E PLAN; C R OW LEY M AR ITIM E C ORPOR ATION; C R OW L EY M AR ITIM E C ORPOR

ATION W ELFARE HEALTH LIFE & AC C IDENTAL DEATH & DISM EM B E RM ENT PLANS; C YTEC INDUSTR IES, INC .; C YTEC INDUSTR IES INC . HEALTH AND W ELFARE PLAN; DANAHER C ORPOR ATION; DANAHER C ORPOR ATION & SUB SIDIAR IES M EDIC AL PLAN; DAR DEN GR OUP LIFE AND HEALTH B ENEFIT PLAN FOR SALAR IED EM PLOYEES; DARDEN RESTAUR

ANTS INC .; DEERE & C OM PANY; DELOITTE & TOUC HE W ELFARE B E NEFIT PLAN; DELOITTE, LLP; DELTA AIR LINES, INC .; DELTA FAM ILY-C AR E M EDIC AL PLAN; DENSO SALES C ALIFOR

NIA, INC .; DENSO SALES C ALIFOR

NIA, INC . GR OUP INSUR ANC E PLAN; DIAGEO NOR TH AM E R IC A, INC .; DIAGEO NORTH AM E R IC A, INC . M EDIC AL C AR E AND LIFE INSUR

ANC E PLAN FOR SALAR IED AND RETIR ED

8EM M PLOYEES; DISC OVER Y C OM M UNIC ATIONS W ELFARE B ENEFIT PLAN; DISC OVER Y C OM M UNIC ATIONS, LLC ; DOLLAR THR IFTY AUTOM OTIVE GR OUP, INC .; DOLLAR

THR IFTY AUTOM OTIVE GR OUP, INC

. W ELFARE B ENEFIT PLAN; JOHN DEERE FLEXIB LE B ENEFITS PLAN; PR ODUC ER S’ HEALTH B ENEFITS PLAN; DS WATER S OF AM ER IC A, INC .; DS WATER S OF AM ER IC A, INC

. HEALTH AND W ELFARE PLAN; DR

. PEPPER SNAPPLE GR OUP, INC .; DR

. PEPPER SNAPPLE GR OUP, INC

. HEALTH PLAN; DR

IVETIM E AUTOM OTIVE GR OUP, INC .; DR IVETIM E W E LFAR E B ENEFIT PLAN; EC OLAB HEALTH AND W ELFARE B ENEFITS PLAN; EC OLAB
, INC .; EDW

ARD D. JONES & C O. EM PLOYEES HEALTH AND W ELFARE PR OGR

AM ; EDWARD D. JONES & C O., L.P.; EM C OR GR OUP, INC .; EM C OR GR OUP, INC

. EM PLOYEE W ELFARE PLAN; ENSIGN US DR ILLING EM PLOYEE B ENEFIT PLAN; ENSIGN UNITED STATES DR ILLING, INC .; ENTER PR ISE HOLDINGS HOSPITAL INSUR ANC E PLAN; ENTER

PR ISE HOLDINGS, INC

. ; ENVIR ONM ENTAL SYSTEM S R ESEAR C H INSTITUTE, INC .; ENVIR ONM ENTAL SYSTEM S R ESEAR C H INSTITUTE, INC . LIFE LTD. TR AVEL AC C IDENT, VISION SER VIC E, M EDIC AL DENTAL;

9EQUITY RESIDENTIAL PR OPER TIES

TR UST GR OUP INSUR

ANC E PLAN; EQUITY RESIDENTIAL SER VIC ES, LLC ; ER NST & YOUNG M E DIC AL PLAN; ER

NST & YOUNG, LLP; ESSILOR

OF AM E R IC A, INC .; ESSILOR

OF AM E R IC A, INC

. EM PLOYER

W ELFARE B E NEFIT PLAN; ESTEE LAUDER , INC .; EXPER IAN INFORM ATION SOLUTIONS, INC .; EXPERIAN INFORM ATION SOLUTIONS, INC

. HEALTH AND W ELFARE PLAN; EXPR E SS M ESSENGER SYSTEM S, INC .; EXPR

ESSJET AIRLINES, INC .; EXPR E SSJET AIRLINES, INC

. C ONSOLIDATED W ELFAR E B ENEFIT PLAN; FAR

M ER S GR OUP, INC .; FARM ER S GR OUP, INC . EM PLOYEE PR EPAID B ENEFIT PLAN; ESTEE LAUDER

C OM PANIES, INC .; FC USA INC . B ENEFITS; FC USA, INC .; FNPC HEALTH AND W ELFARE PLAN; FIDELITY B R OKER

A GE SER

VIC ES, LLC ; FIDELITY GR OUP EM PLOYEES M EDIC AL, DENTAL AND C AFETER IA PLAN; FIFTH & PAC IFIC C OM PANIES, INC .; FINR

A DISPUTE RESOLUTION, INC .; FINR

A EM PLOYEE GR OUP M EDIC AL; FISER

V, INC .; FISER

V, INC . W ELFAR E B ENEFIT PLAN; FIVE STAR QUALITY C AR E; FIVE STAR QUALITY C AR E -C A, INC .; FLEXTR ONIC S EM PLOYEE B ENEFITS PLAN; FLEXTR ONIC S INTER NATIONAL USA, INC .; FOOT LOC KER R ETAIL, INC .; FOOT

10LOC KER

W ELFARE B E NEFIT PAYM ENT PLAN; FOX ENTER TAINM ENT GR OUP, INC .; FOX HEALTH PLAN; FUGATE AVIATION, INC .; FUGATE ENTER

PR ISES EM PLOYEE W ELFARE B ENEFIT PLAN; FUTUR

E ELEC TR ONIC S C ORP.; FUTURE ELEC TR ONIC S C ORP. GR OUP INSUR

ANC E PLAN; G4S SEC UR E SOLUTIONS, INC .; GAP INC . HEALTH AND LIFE PLAN; GE GLOB AL HEALTH PLAN; GF HEALTH PR ODUC TS, INC .; GP STR ATEGIES C ORPOR ATION; GP STR

ATEGIES C ORPOR ATION W ELFARE B ENEFIT PLAN; GAP, INC .; GENER AL ELEC T R IC C OM PANY; GENER AL PAR TS, INC .; GENER

AL PAR TS, INC

. EM PLOYEE B ENEFITS PLAN M EDIC AL INSUR

ANC E ; GENON ENER G Y GR OUP W ELFARE B ENEFITS PLAN; GENON ENERG Y SER VIC ES, LLC ; GENPAC T PR OC ESS SOLUTIONS, LLC ; GENPAC T W ELFARE B ENEFIT PLAN; GEOR G FISC HER

EM PLOYEE B ENEFIT PLAN; GEOR G FISC HER

SIGNET, LLC ; GEOR GIA-PAC IFIC LLC ; GLAXOSM ITHKLINE HEALTH AND W ELFARE B ENEFITS PLAN FOR US EM PLOYEES; GLAXOS M ITHKLINE, LLC ; GREAT-W EST LIFE & ANN INS FLEXIB LE B ENEFIT PLAN; GREATW EST LIFE & ANNUITY INSUR ANC E C OM PANY; W ELFARE TR U ST FOR G4S SEC UR E SOLUTIONS USA INC

. AND AFFILIATES; GTEC H

11C ORPOR

ATION; GTEC H C ORPOR ATION PAR TIC IPANT B ENEFIT PLAN; GR

EYSTAR M ANAGEM ENT SER

VIC ES, LP; GR EYSTAR

M ANAGEM ENT SER VIC ES, LLP; HD SUPPLY HEALTH AND W ELFARE PR OGR AM ; HD SUPPLY, INC

. ; HEALTH INVENTUR ES HEALTH AND W ELLNESS B ENEFIT PLAN; HEALTH INVENTUR ES, LLC ; HEAR TLAND AUTOM OTIVE SER VIC ES, INC .; HEAR TLAND AUTOM OTIVE SER

VIC E S, INC

. GR OUP M EDIC AL AND LIFE PLAN; HEW LETT-PAC KARD C O M PANY; HEW LETT-PAC KARD C O M PANY HEALTH M AINTENANC E OR GANIZATION PR OGR AM ; HONEYW ELL INTER

NATIONAL INC

. B ENEFIT PLAN; HONEYW ELL INTER NATIONAL, INC .; HOT TOPIC
, INC .; HOT TOPIC , INC

. HEALTH AND W ELFARE PLAN; HOTELS AB , LLC ; THE STANDAR

D/HOTELS AB W ELFARE B ENEFIT PLAN; HUHTAM AKI AM ER IC AS, INC .; HUHTAM AKI AM ER IC AS, INC

. GR OUP INSUR

A NC E PLAN; IM OR T GAGE.C OM
, INC

. C AFETER IA PLAN; IM OR TGAGE.C OM . INC

. ; ING AM E R IC AS W ELFARE B ENEFITS PLAN; ING NOR TH AM E R IC A INSUR ANC E C ORPOR

ATION; INFORM A USA, INC .; INFOR M A USA, INC . AND SUB SIDIAR IES INSUR ANC E PLAN; INGR

AM M IC R O, INC .; INSPER ITY GR OUP HEALTH

12PLAN; INSPER ITY HOLDINGS, INC .;

INSTANT W E B , INC .; INTEGR A LIFESC IENC ES C ORP. M EDIC AL/PRESC R IPTION, DENTAL AND STD PLAN; INTEGR A LIFESC IENC ES C ORPOR ATION; INTELSAT C ORPOR

ATION; INTELSAT GR OUP W ELFAR E B ENEFITS PLAN; INTER -R AIL TR ANSPOR T, INC

. ; INTER -R AIL, INC

. EM PLOYEE HEALTH P LAN; INTER C AR E HOLDINGS, INC .; INTER C AR E HOLDINGS, INC

. HEALTH & W ELFARE PLAN; ISTANT W EB INC . AND SUB SIDIAR Y M EDIC AL B ENEFIT PLAN; IB M M EDIC AL & DENTAL PLAN FOR R EGULAR

AND PAR T -TIM E EM PLOYEES; INX INTER NATIONAL GR OUP M EDIC AL/DENTAL PLAN; INX INTER

NATIONAL INK C O.; INTER NATIONAL ALUM INUM C ORPOR ATION; INTER

N ATIONAL ALUM INUM C ORPOR

ATION HEALTH AND W ELFARE PLANS; INTER NATIONAL B USINESS M AC HINES C ORPOR

ATION; INTER NATIONAL PAPER

C OM PANY; INTER NATIONAL PAPER

GR OUP INSUR ANC E PLAN; INTER

NATIONAL SPEEDW AY C ORPOR

ATION; INTER NATIONAL SPEEDWAY C ORPOR ATION W ELFARE B ENEFIT PLAN; INTER STATE HOTELS & R ESOR TS B ENEFITS PR OGR AM ; INTER STATE HOTELS & R ESOR TS, INC .; J.C . PENNEY C ORPOR ATION,

13INC .; J.C . PENNEY C ORPOR ATION, INC . HEALTH & W ELFAR E B ENEFITS PLAN; JPM OR GAN C HASE & C O.; JAC K IN THE B OX, INC

. ; JAC K IN THE B OX, INC . C R EW

EM PLOYEES HEALTH & W ELFARE PLAN; JAC KSON LEW IS LLP W ELFARE PLAN; JAC KSON LEW IS, LLP; JAC OB S ENGINEER ING GR OUP, INC .; JAC OB S ENGINEER ING GR OUP, INC

. EM PLOYEE GR OUP INSUR ANC E PLAN; JETB L UE AIR

WAYS C ORPOR ATION; JETB LUE AIR

W AYS GR OUP HEALTH INSUR ANC E PLAN; THE JPM OR G AN C HASE HEALTH & PR OTEC TION PLAN FOR AC T IVE EM PLOYEES; JONES LANG LASALLE AM E R IC AS, INC .; JONES LANG LASALLE GR OUP B ENEFITS PLAN; KELLY M ITC HELL GR OUP INC

. M EDIC AL PLAN; KELLY M ITC HELL GR OUP, INC .; EM PLOYEE B ENEFIT PLAN OF THE C OM PASS GR OUP USA, INC .; KLA-TENC OR C ORPOR ATION GR O UP INSUR

ANC E PLAN; KLA-TENC OR

C ORPOR

ATION; KM I FLEXIB LE B E NEFIT PLAN; KINDER M OR GAN G.P., INC .; KINETIC C ONC EPTS, INC .; KINETIC S C ONC EPTS INC

. EM PLOYEE B ENEFITS TR

UST; KONIC A M INOLTA B USINESS SOLUTIONS USA, INC ; L B R ANDS, INC .; L’ OR EAL USA S/D, INC .; L’ OR EAL USA, INC

. C OM PR EHENSIVE M EDIC AL PLAN; LA-Z-B OY INC ORPOR

ATED; LA-ZB OY INC ORPOR

A TED M EDIC AL

14PLAN; LAR SON-JUHL US LLC

W ELFARE PLAN; LAR SON-JUHL US LLC W ELFARE PLAN; LAR SON-JUHL US, LLC ; LEAVITT GR OUP AGENC Y ASSOC IATION; LEAVITT GR OUP AGENC Y ASSOC IATION HEALTH B ENEFIT PLAN; LEVEL 3 C OM M UNIC ATIONS, INC . W ELFARE B ENEFIT PLAN; LEVEL 3 C OM M UNIC ATIONS, LLC ; LEVY R ESTAUR

A NTS, INC

. ; LIM ITED B R ANDS, INC . HEALTH AND W ELFARE B ENEFITS PLAN; LINDE NOR TH AM ER IC A, INC

. ; LINDE NOR TH AM ER IC A, INC

. INSUR ANC E PLAN; M ISA GR OUP B ENEFIT PLANS; M AER SK INC . AC TIVE NONUNION HEALTH AND W ELFARE PLAN; M AER SK, INC .; M AKO SUR GIC AL C ORP HEALTH AND W ELFARE PLAN; M AR

U B ENI ITOC HU STEEL AM E R IC A, INC .; HEALTH C AR E PLAN OF THE EM PLOYEES OF M C M C O RP.; M C M C ORPOR

ATION; M A R

Y KAY, INC .; M AY KAY, INC

. C OM PR EHENSIVE EM PLOYEE HEALTH AND W ELFARE PLAN; M C M ASTER -C A RR

SUPPLY C OM PANY; M C M ASTER -C ARR SUPPLY C OM PANY GR O UP INSUR ANC E PR OGR

AM ; M EDC O HEALTH SOLUTIONS, INC .; M EDC O HEALTH SOLUTIONS, INC . W ELFARE B ENEFIT PLAN; M EDEGEN W ELFARE B ENEFIT PLAN; M EDEGEN, INC .; M EDIC AL SPEC IALTIES DISTR IB UTOR S, LLC ; M EDIC AL

15SPEC IALTIES DISTR IB UTOR S, LLC

GR OUP B ENEFIT PLAN; M IDAM ER IC AN ENER GY C OM PANY; M IDAM ER IC AN ENER GY C OM PANY W ELFARE B ENEFIT PLAN; M ILLAR D R EFR IGER

A TED SER

VIC ES, INC .; M ILLAR D R EFR IGER

ATED SER VIC ES, INC . GR OUP M A JOR M EDIC AL; M OB ILE M INI, INC .; M OB ILE M INI, INC

. B ENEFIT PLAN; M OC EAN HEALTH AND WELFARE B ENEFITS PLAN; M OC EAN, LLC ; M ONAVIE, LLC ; M O NAVIE, LLC FR INGE B ENEFIT PLAN; W ELFARE B ENEFIT PLAN FOR

EES. OF M ETR OPOLITAN LIFE; AM PLAN, THE AM T R AK UNION B ENEFITS PLAN; GR OUP INSUR

A NC E PLAN FOR EM PLOYEES OF NEC AND AFFILIATES; HEALTH INSUR ANC E PLAN OF M ULTIPLAN, INC .; M ONR OVIA NUR SER

Y C O M PANY; M ONR OVIA NUR SER

Y C O M PANY EM PLOYEE B ENEFIT PLAN; M OUNTAIN VALLEY EXPR ESS C O

. INC . W ELFAR E B ENEFIT PLAN; M OUNTAIN VALLEY EXPR ESS C O
., INC .; M ULTIPLAN, INC .; M YR IAD GENETIC S, INC .; M YR IAD GENETIC S, INC . W ELFAR E B ENEFIT PLAN; NC H C ORPOR ATION; NC H C ORPOR

A TION EM PLOYEE LIFE AND HEALTH B ENEFIT PLAN; NEC C O RPOR ATION OF AM E R IC A ; NPL C ONSTR UC TION C O.; NPL C ONSTR

UC TION C O. EM PLOYEE HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN; NR C PAYR OLL M ANAGEM ENT

16HEALTH AND W ELFARE PLAN; NR C

PAYR OLL M ANAGEM ENT, LLC ; NATIONAL C APTIONING INSTITUTE, INC .; NATIONAL C A PTIONING INSTITUTE, INC . HEALTH & W ELFARE B ENEFITS PLAN; NATIONAL M ENTOR

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De fe nda n ts-Appe lle e s.

Appe a l from

the Unite d

Stat e s Distric t C ourt for the C e ntra l Distric t of C a lifornia M ic h a e l W . Fitz ge ra ld, Distric t Judge , Pre siding

25Subm itte d M ay 14, 2019 ** Se a ttle , W a s hington

B e fore : O’ SC A

N NLAIN a nd FR IEDLAND, C i rc uit Judge s, a nd EZR A, *** Distric t Judge

.
Pla intiff Alm ont Am bula tory Surge ry C e nte r, LLC a long with t we l v e o t h er
surgic a l c e nte rs and one phy sic ia ns’ m e dic a l g roup (c olle c tive l y “ A lm ont” ) a ppe a l

four o rde rs by the distric t c ourt d e ny ing (1) Alm ont’ s m otion for re lie f from judgm e nt

pursua nt to Fe d e ra l R

ule of C i v il Proc e d

ure 60(b), (2) A lm ont’ s m otion to d isqua lify

distric t c ourt Judge M ic ha e l Fitz ge ra ld, (3) Alm ont’ s a p plic a tion to file doc um e nts in

support of the disqua l i f

i cation m otion in c ame ra , and (4) A lm ont’ s m otion for

re c o nside ra tion o f the R

ul e 6 0 ( b ) orde r pursua

nt to Fe de ra l R

ule of C ivil Proc e dure

5 9 ( e)

. Because the fa c ts are known to t he pa rtie s, w e re pe a t the m o nly a s n e c e ssa ry

to e xpla in our de c ision.

As an initia l m a tt e r, the e m ploy e e we lfare pla

n de fe nda

nts (c o lle c tive l y

“ Unite dHe a lth” ) argue that we la c k jurisdic tion to re vie w the distric t c o urt’ s de nia l of

Alm ont’ s R

ule 60(b) m o tion, be c a

use suc h de n ia l wa s not inc lude d in the notic e of

a ppe a l for this c a se

. Se e Almont Ambulatory Surge ry C tr., LLC v

. Unite dHe alth Grp.,

* * T h e p an el u n an i m o u sl y co n cl u d es t h i s c a se is sui tab l e f o r d eci s i o n without ora l a

rgum e nt. Se e Fe d. R . App. P. 34(a )(2).

* * * T h e H o no r ab l e D av i d A

. E zr a, U n i t ed S t a t e s D i s t r i ct J ud g e f o r t h e Distric t of Ha

wa ii, sitting by de signa

tion.

26Inc

. , No. 2:14-c v-02139-M W F

- V BK , EC F Nos. 2 0 56, 2058. Inde e d, a lthough

Alm ont tim e ly a

p pe a le d the orde r, the a ppe a l wa s se pa

ra te ly doc ke te d and late r

dism isse d for fa ilure to prose c u t e. S ee Almont Ambulatory S urge ry C tr., LLC v

.

Unite d He alth G rp., Inc

. , No. 16-55844, EC F N o

. 12 2. N e ve rthe le ss, we c an fa irly

infe r that Alm o nt inte nde d to a ppe a l the R

ule 60(b) orde r, a

n d t hus we c an c onstrue

th e no t i ce o f appe a l in this c a se a s inc luding it. Se e Lolli v

. C ounty o f Orange
, 351

F.3d 410, 414 (9th C ir. 2003) (c iting Monte s v

. Unite d State

s , 37 F.3d 1347, 1351 (9th

C ir. 1994)). Do ing so would not pre judic e Unite dHe a lth, who brie fe d the m e rits of

the issue

. C onse que n tly
, we m ay e xe rc ise j urisdic t ion ove r the a p p e a l of the R

ule

60(b) orde r. Se e Lolli , 351 F.3d a t 414.

Alm ont’ s c ha lle nge to t

h e c o urt’ s d e n ia l of the R ule 60 ( b ) m o tion fa ils on the

m e rits. Alm ont’ s proffe re d re a sons for fa iling t o re ta in c ounse l b y t h e co u rt’ s

de a dline are c o n tra dic te d by t he re c ord and d o n o t esta blish e xc usa

ble n e gle c t a s

re quire d b y

R ule 60(b). Se e Bate man v

. U .S. Postal Se r

v

. , 231 F.3d 1220, 1222 (9th

C ir. 2000).

Alm ont ne xt c ha lle nge s the de nia l of its m otion to disqua lify pre siding Judge

M ic ha e l W

. Fitz ge ra ld— a de c ision m a de b y Judge Otis D. W right II, to whom the

m otion ha d be e n ran dom l y a ssigne d. B ut A lm ont’ s the ory

— that Judge Fitz ge ra ld h a d

an irre c onc ila

ble c onflic t of inte re st be c a use (1) his b rothe r, an Assista nt U nite d Sta te s

27Attorne y for the C e ntral Di s t r ic t of C a lifornia
, a lle ge dly s upe rvise d a c rim ina l

inve stiga tion involving Alm ont’ s m an ag er s a n d sa b ota ge d A lm ont’ s le ga l

re pre se ntation, an d (2) t h e gove rnm e nt wa s a pa rty to this c a se

— finds no support in

t h e re c ord. As Judge W right prope rly found, the U.S. Attorne y ’ s Offic e en g ag ed i n

no im proprie ty with re spe c t t o Alm ont’ s re pre se ntation. Furthe rm o re , AUSA

Fitz ge ra l d d id no t en te r an a ppe aranc e in this c a se , and the g ove rnm e nt wa s ne ve r a

pa rty a t any sta ge of the proc e e dings. Abse nt a ny fa c tua l support for i t s m otion,

Alm ont ha s fa ile d to show that disqua lific a tion wa s re q u ir ed unde r fe de ra l la w or

a pplic a ble c ode s of judic ia l c onduc t. Se e , e .g. , 28 U.S.C

. § 455; Judic ia l C onfe re nc e

of the Unite d Sta te s, C om m itte e on C ode s of C o nduc t Advisory Op. N o

. 3 8. The

distric t c o urt did not a

buse its disc re tion by

de ny ing the m otion.

Nor did the c ourt a

buse its disc re tion by de ny ing Alm ont’ s a pplic a tion to file

c e rta in doc um e nts in support of its disqua lific a tion m otion in c ame ra . Although the

c ourt sum m arily de nie d Alm ont’ s a

pplic a tion, we m ay “ a ffirm on any b a sis supporte d

by t he re c ord,” e ve n w he re “ the distric t c ourt d id not e xpla in its de c ision.” A l le n v

.

Be dolla
, 787 F.3d 1218, 1222 (9th C ir. 2015); se e a lso Unite d State s v

. Morale

s , 720

F.3d 1194, 1 201 (9th C ir. 2013). He re , in c ame ra re vie w of the doc um e nts that

form e d t he ba sis o f the disqua l i f

i cation m otion would h ave pre ve nte d the e m ploy e e
pla n d e fe nda nts from m ounting an e ffe c tive de fe nse to the m otion in viola tion of the ir

28due proc e ss rights. Se e Yamada v

. N obe l B ioc are Holding AG
, 8 25 F.3d 536, 544–46

( 9 t h C ir. 2016). C onsiste nt with the distric t c ourt’ s rulings on Alm ont’ s pre viou s

re que s ts for in c ame ra re vie w, the c ourt prope rly de nie d Alm ont’ s a

p plic a tion.

Fina lly
, we re

je c t Alm ont’ s c ha lle nge t o th e d enia l of its R ule 59(e ) m otion.

Alm ont fa ile d to ide ntify l e ga l e rror or rel ev an t n ewly disc ove re d e vide n c e , and its

argum e nts fo r re c onside ra t ion l arge ly re p e a t e d the argum e nts m a de in support of its

unsuc c e s sful R

ule 60(b) m otion. S

e e 389 Orange St. Partne rs v

. Arnold
, 179 F.3d

656, 665 (9th Ci r

. 1 9 9 9 )

. The c ourt did not a buse its disc re tion by de ny ing the

m otion. 1

AFFIRM E D.

1 W e de ny Alm o n t’ s m o t i o n t o file c e rta in e xc e rpts of re c ord in c ame ra a n d unde r se al
, file d with t

his c ourt on M arc h 26, 2018; i ts m otions to s upple m e nt the

re c o rd on a

ppe a l and t o file c e rta in e x hibits in c ame ra and unde r se a l, file d A ugust 6, 2018; a nd its re que s t for judic ia l notic e , file d M a y 14, 2019.

29Almont Ambulatory Surge ry C e nte r, LLC v

. Unite dHe alth Group, Inc

. , No. 1 7-55301

O’ SC A NNLAIN, C irc u i t Judge , spe c ia lly c onc urring:

I co ncu r i n t h e j udgm e nt and in the c ourt’ s re a soning a ffirm ing the de nia l of

A l m ont’ s m o tion for disqua lific a tion, a pplic a tion for in c ame ra re v ie w, a n d m o t i o n

for re c onside ration.

I re spe c t f u ll y disa g re e , howe ve r, with t he c onc lusion that our c ourt ha s
jurisdic tion to re vie w t

he distric t c ourt’ s R

ule 60(b) or der

. I n m y vie w, the unique

proc e d ura l history of this c a se re nde rs it distinguisha ble from Lolli : A lm o nt’ s a ppe a l

of the R ule 60(b) orde r wa s doc ke te d se pa ra te ly from its a

ppe a l of the o the r issue s in

this c a se

. B e c a

use Alm ont fa ile d t o i n cl ud e the R u l e 60(b) orde r in its notic e s of

ap p eal f o r this c a se , I would hold that the R ule 60(b) orde r is not prope rly be fore us

and de c line to re vie w it. S e e Va lade z-Lope z v

. C he rtoff
, 656 F.3d 851, 859 n.2 (9th

C ir. 2011). 

# FIL ED

JUN 11 2019

M OLLY C. DW Y ER, CLERK U

. S. CO URT O F APPEALS