NOT FOR PUBLICATION

UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS

 FOR THE NINTH CIRCUIT

ALMONT AMBULATORY SURGERY

CENTER, LLC, a California limited

liability company; BAKERFIELD

SURGERY INSTITUTE, LLC, a

California limited liability company; CIRO

SURGERY CENTER, LLC, a California

limited liability company; EAST BAY

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

No. 17-55301

D.C. No. 

2:14-cv-02139-MWF-VBK

MEMORANDUM*

FILED

JUN 11 2019

MOLLY C. DWYER, CLERK

U.S. COURT OF APPEALS

* 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
Almont Ambulatory Surgery Center, LLC v. UnitedHealth Group, Inc., No. 17-55301

O’SCANNLAIN, Circuit Judge, specially concurring:

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).

FILED

JUN 11 2019

MOLLY C. DWYER, CLERK

U.S. COURT OF APPEALS