Opinion ID: 778368
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Express Preemption Asserted as a Defense

Text: 17 Aetna also argues that Ms. Hofler's claims pertain to the treatment of health care providers and are therefore expressly preempted by the specific preemption provisions relating to requirements for inclusion or treatment of providers. See 42 U.S.C. § 1395w-26(b)(3)(B)(i)-(iii); 42 C.F.R. § 422.402(b)(1)-(3). Even if Ms. Hofler's claims could be interpreted as relating to the requirements for inclusion or treatment of providers, a point upon which we express no opinion, Aetna asserts this argument as a defense to Ms. Hofler's state law claims. It is well-established that, when Congress has not completely preempted the field, removal cannot be based on the assertion of a federal preemption defense, even if the defense is anticipated in the plaintiff's complaint, and even if both parties admit that the defense is the only question truly at issue in the case. Franchise Tax Bd., 463 U.S. at 14, 103 S.Ct. 2841; Metro. Life, 481 U.S. at 63, 107 S.Ct. 1542. Therefore, we reject Aetna's attempt to circumvent the requirements of the well-pleaded complaint rule through the assertion of a federal preemption defense.