OPINION AND ORDER
SEAN F. COX, District Judge.
In this ERISA
action, Plaintiff challenges Defendant’s decision to terminate Plaintiffs long-term disability benefits. The matter is currently before the Court
on Plaintiffs objections to the April 5, 2007 Report and Recommendation of Magistrate Judge Virginia Morgan wherein she recommended that the Court grant Defendant’s motion seeking entry in its favor and deny Plaintiffs cross-motion. The Court declines to hear oral argument pursuant to E.D. Mich. L.R. 7.1. For the reasons that follow, the Court shall ADOPT the Report and Recommendation, GRANT Defendant’s motion, and DENY Plaintiffs cross-motion.
BACKGROUND
On July 21, 2005, following Defendant’s decision to terminate his long-term disability benefits, Plaintiff filed suit against Defendant in the St. Clair County Circuit Court. Defendant removed the action to this Court on August 17, 2005. The Honorable Marianne Battani was originally assigned to this case. Following removal, Defendant filed a Motion to Dismiss and Plaintiff filed a Motion for Remand. On November 30, 2005, Judge Battani issued an order denying Plaintiffs Motion for Remand. [Docket Entry No. 10].
This case was subsequently reassigned to this Court on June 28, 2006.
On October 13, 2006, Defendant filed a motion seeking judgment in its favor and on October 14, 2006, Plaintiff filed a cross-motion asking the Court to reverse Defendant’s decision to terminate benefits. The Motions were referred to Magistrate Judge Virginia M. Morgan for a Report and Recommendation (“R & R”) pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(B).
On April 5, 2007, Judge Morgan issued an R & R recommending the Court grant Defendant’s Motion for judgment and deny Plaintiffs cross-motion.
Pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(b), a party objecting to the recommended disposition of a matter by a Magistrate Judge must file objections to the R & R within ten (10) days after being served with a copy of the R & R. Plaintiff filed timely objections to the R & R on April 20, 2007, and those objections are currently before the Court.
ANALYSIS
The bulk of Plaintiffs brief setting forth his objections to the R & R is devoted to the issue of the appropriate standard of review to be applied by the Court to the benefits determination at issue. Plaintiff asserts that Magistrate Judge Morgan applied the wrong standard of review to the benefits determination in that a
de novo
review should have been applied, rather than the highly deferential “arbitrary and capricious” standard. For the reasons that follow, the Court overrules Plaintiffs objections relating to the applicable standard of review and concludes that Magistrate Judge Morgan applied the correct standard of review.
Judge Battani previously ruled that the policy at issue in this case, the “United Wisconsin Insurance Company Group Insurance Policy # 004581 0000”, is an ERISA welfare benefit plan.
{See
Docket Entry No. 10). It is well established that where an ERISA plan grants the administrator or fiduciary discretionary authority to determine eligibility for benefits or to construe the terms of the Plan, the highly deferential “arbitrary and capricious” standard of review is appropriate.
Yeager v. Reliance Life Ins. Co.,
88 F.3d 376, 381 (6th Cir.1996). Thus, Magistrate Judge Morgan looked to the terms of the plan
{i.e.
the above referenced policy) to determine the appropriate standard of review.
The plan states that “We shall have full and final discretionary authority in disputes concerning Benefits and the exclusive power and duty to conclusively construe and interpret the terms of the policy. We shall determine all questions of cover
age and eligibility for Benefits under the policy. Our decision shall be binding.”
(See
certified copy of the plan, attached as Ex. A to Docket Entry No. 20, at 6). The plan further provides that “we” and “our,” as used in the plan, refer to United Wisconsin Insurance Company.
(Id.
at 4). Magistrate Judge Morgan concluded that construing the above language in its ordinary and popular sense, the only reasonable interpretation is that the Plan grants discretionary authority to Defendant to determine eligibility for benefits and to construe the terms of the Plan. Thus, she concluded that because the Plan grants discretionary authority to Defendant, the arbitrary and capricious standard of review applies to the benefits determination made by Defendant.
Plaintiff objects to that ruling on several grounds. Plaintiff claims that conclusion was error because “[tjhere is no plan document contained in the Administrative Record that was submitted for the Court’s review in this case.” (Pl.’s Objs. at 4). Plaintiff claims that the Court is precluded from considering anything outside of the Administrative Record and, because the policy is not part of the Administrative Record, it cannot be considered by the Court when determining the applicable standard of review.
Plaintiff also notes that Defendant submitted the policy to the Court with its motion, but once again argues that the policy should not be considered an ERISA plan for numerous reasons.
The Court finds these objections to have no merit. First, Judge Battani previously ruled, in an Order dated November 30, 2005, that the policy at issue here is an ERISA welfare benefits plan.
(See
Docket Entry No. 10). That determination cannot be revised under the law of the case doctrine.
See United States v. Moored,
38 F.3d 1419, 1421 (6th Cir.1994) (“Under the doctrine of law of the case, findings made at one point in the litigation become the law of the case for subsequent stages of that same litigation.”).
Second, the Court also rejects Plaintiffs argument that the Court is precluded from examining the plan itself simply because it was not included in the Administrative Record. The same argument was made to, and rejected by, the Sixth Circuit in
Bass v. TRW Employee Welfare Benefits Trust,
86 Fed.Appx. 848 (6th Cir.2004).
See also Brooking v. Hartford Life and Accident Ins. Co.,
167 Fed.Appx. 544, 547 n. 4 (6th Cir.2006). In
Bass,
the court noted that the plaintiff was “unquestioningly correct in his assertion that a district court when reviewing a plan administrator’s denial of benefits cannot look past the administrative record.”
Bass,
86 Fed.Appx. at 851. It further explained that “[tjhe case law makes clear, however, that the rule was intended to prevent the courts from looking past the evidence of disability — medical reports, correspondence, test results, and the like — considered by the plan administrator; it does not suggest that the rule covers the benefits plan itself, which is in the nature of a contract.”
Id.
The Court overrules all of Plaintiffs objections relating to the applicable standard of review and concludes that Magistrate Judge Morgan appropriately applied the highly deferential arbitrary and capricious standard of review.
The Court also finds Plaintiffs remaining objections to be equally without merit and shall overrule those objections as well.
The Court concurs with Magistrate Judge Morgan’s decision that the conflicts in medical and vocational opinions in this case leads to the conclusion that Defendant’s decision to deny benefits was not “arbitrary or capricious.”
CONCLUSION & ORDER
Accordingly, the Court ACCEPTS and ADOPTS the April 5, 2007 R & R. IT IS ORDERED that Plaintiffs motion [Docket Entry No. 21] is DENIED and Defendant’s cross-motion [Docket Entry No. 20] is GRANTED. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Plaintiffs Complaint be DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION
VIRGINIA M. MORGAN, United States Magistrate Judge.
I. Introduction
This Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), 29 U.S.C. §§ 1001 et seq. (2000), case comes before the court on defendant’s motion for judgment and plaintiffs cross-motion to reverse defendant’s decision to terminate plaintiffs long-term disability benefits. For the reasons stated below, the court recommends that defendant’s motion be granted and that plaintiffs motion be denied.
II. Background
Beginning on April 21, 1997, plaintiff worked as a mechanic for PDS Rail Car (AR 0008). His duties included climbing in and out of box cars, using tools, and performing arc welding. Plaintiff had previously worked as a chauffeur and van driver, and as a stock unloader at a warehouse (AR 0854). Plaintiff is 47 years-old and completed school through 8th grade (AR 0001, 0858).
On or about August 11, 1998, plaintiff suffered an ankle injury while at work (AR 0987). On December 31, 1998, plaintiff suffered a heart attack and, since that date, he has not returned to work (AR 0008-0009).
In January of 1999, plaintiff applied for disability benefits pursuant to the insurance policy defendant issued to PDS Rail Car. Plaintiffs application for benefits was based on his cardiac condition. Defendant granted the application and paid benefits until March of 2002 (AR 0187-0189). In March 2002, defendant terminated the benefits after determining that plaintiffs cardiac condition did not prevent him from having gainful employment (AR 0220-0222). Plaintiff appealed and the benefits were reinstated after plaintiff provided evidence of an ankle injury (AR 0257-0258).
Defendant continued to pay total disability benefits through July 31, 2004. In a letter dated August 6, 2004, defendant notified plaintiff that benefits were being terminated (AR 0652-0655).
On February 1, 2005, plaintiff appealed defendant’s decision (AR 0727-0735). Defendant referred plaintiffs appeal to JHA, Inc., the reinsurer, for a review of the medical and vocational evidence (AR 0969-0972). JHA recommended that the termination of benefits be upheld. Defendant upheld its denial of benefits (AR 1001-1002).
Plaintiff now appeals the denial of his claim for benefits pursuant to 29 U.S.C. § 1132(a)(1)(B).
III.Legal Standards
A.
ERISA
Congress enacted ERISA to “ ‘protect ... the interests of participants in employee benefit plans and their beneficiaries’ by
setting out substantive regulatory requirements for employee benefit plans and to ‘provid[e] for appropriate remedies, sanctions, and ready access to the Federal courts.’”
Aetna Health, Inc. v. Davila,
542 U.S. 200, 208, 124 S.Ct. 2488, 159 L.Ed.2d 312 (2004), quoting 29 U.S.C. § 1001(b) (2000).
A claim involving an Employee Benefit Plan may be brought under the civil enforcement provisions of ERISA and is regarded as arising under federal law. The courts have been directed to develop substantive federal common law as necessary to interpret ERISA and fashion remedies to effectuate the policies underlying ERISA. 29 U.S.C. § 1132(a);
Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. v. Bruch,
489 U.S. 101, 109-110, 109 S.Ct. 948, 103 L.Ed.2d 80 (1989). ERISA generally preempts all state laws that relate to Employee Benefit Plans. 29 U.S.C. § 1144(a).
With one exception, federal district courts have exclusive jurisdiction over civil actions brought under ERISA, including claims alleging breach of fiduciary duty, claims requesting equitable relief, other than benefit claims and claims involving statutory penalties under ERISA. 29 U.S.C. § 1132(e)(1). The exception applies to civil actions brought under 29 U.S.C. § 1132(a)(1)(B) to recover benefits under the terms of the Plan, enforce rights under the terms of the Plan, or clarify the participant’s rights to future benefits under the Plan. When the exception applies, federal and state courts have concurrent jurisdiction. 29 U.S.C. § 1132(e)(1). The amount in controversy or the citizenship of the parties is irrelevant. 29 U.S.C. § 1132(f).
B. Disability Evaluation
While ERISA governs the Employee Benefit Plan in general, whether a claimant is entitled to disability benefits is determined by the language set forth in the individual Plan. Under the terms of the Plan in this case, the definition of disability changed at the end of 24 months. The Plan stated that:
“ ‘Total Disability’ and ‘Totally Disabled’ means that due to an injury and/or illness,:
1. the insured cannot perform the material duties of his or her regular occupation during the elimination period and the following 24 months of the Benefit Period; and
2. after 24 months of the Benefit Period, the insured cannot perform any of the material duties of any gainful employment for which he/she is or may be reasonably fitted by education, training or experience.”
C. Standard of Review
The United States Supreme Court held in
Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. v. Bruch
that “a denial of benefits challenged under § 1132(a)(1)(B) is to be reviewed under a
de novo
standard unless the benefit plan gives the administrator or fiduciary discretionary authority to determine eligibility for benefits or to construe the terms of the plan.” 489 U.S. at 115, 109 S.Ct. 948. Where the benefit plan grants the administrator or fiduciary discretionary authority to determine eligibility for benefits or to construe the terms of the Plan, the highly deferential arbitrary and capricious standard of review is appropriate.
Yeager v. Reliance Standard Life Ins. Co.,
88 F.3d 376, 381 (6th Cir.1996). Thus, a reviewing court should first examine the Plan to determine whether defendant is a Plan administrator or fiduciary, and whether the required discretion has been given. Federal common law rules of contract interpretation apply to ERISA Plans and those rules dictate that this Court interpret the Plan’s provisions according to their plain meaning and in their
ordinary and popular sense.
Perez v. Aetna Life Ins. Co.,
150 F.3d 550, 556 (6th Cir.1998).
1.Defendant is a fiduciary.
The Plan issued in this case states “[Defendant] shall have full and final discretionary authority in disputes concerning Benefits and the exclusive power and duty to conclusively construe and interpret the terms of the policy. [Defendant] shall determine all questions of coverage and eligibility for Benefits under the policy. [Defendant’s] decisions shall be binding.”
The first issue is whether defendant is a Plan administrator or a fiduciary. The definition of “Plan administrator” in ERISA provides that the Plan administrator is the “Plan sponsor” unless otherwise specified in the Plan. 29 U.S.C. § 1002(16)(A)(ii). Where, as here, an Employee Benefit Plan is maintained by a single employer, the “Plan sponsor” is deemed to be the employer. 29 U.S.C. § 1002(16)(B)(I). In the instant case, the Plan does not designate a Plan administrator and, therefore, ERISA’s default provision dictates that PDS Rail Car, not defendant, is the Plan administrator.
Caffey v. UNUM Life Ins. Co.,
302 F.3d 576, 584-585 (6th Cir.2002).
Under ERISA, a Plan “fiduciary” is one who “exercises any discretionary authority or discretionary control respecting the management of [an ERISA] plan or exercises any authority or control respecting the management or disposition of its assets” or who “has any discretionary authority or discretionary responsibility in the administration of such plan.” 29 U.S.C. § 1002(21)(A). The definition is meant to be a functional one and includes both people specifically named as fiduciaries by the Plan and anyone else who exercises discretionary control or authority over a Plan’s management, administration, or assets.
Moore v. LaFayette Life Ins. Co.,
458 F.3d 416, 438 (6th Cir.2006). In this case, the plain meaning of the Plan language establishes that defendant has discretionary authority in disputes concerning benefits, interpretation of the terms of the policy, and questions of coverage and eligibility for benefits. Defendant clearly has discretionary authority in the administration of the Plan and is therefore a fiduciary.
2. Defendant has discretionary authority.
The second issue is whether the Plan grants defendant discretionary authority to determine eligibility for benefits or to construe the terms of the Plan. While there are no “magic words” required to vest discretion, this circuit has consistently required that the Plan’s grant of discretionary authority be express and clear. See, e.g.,
Perez,
150 F.3d at 555;
Yeager,
88 F.3d at 381;
Wulf v. Quantum Chemical Corp.,
26 F.3d 1368, 1373 (6th Cir. 1994). As discussed above, reading that contractual language in an ordinary and popular sense, as this court must, the only reasonable interpretation of the Plan is that it grants discretionary authority to defendant to determine eligibility for benefits and to construe the terms of the Plan. Because the Plan grants discretionary authority to defendant to determine eligibility for benefits, the arbitrary and capricious standard of review applies.
3. The decision is subject to the arbitrary and capricious standard of review.
The arbitrary and capricious standard of review is “the least demanding form of judicial review of administrative action,”
Williams v. International Paper Co.,
227 F.3d 706, 712 (6th Cir.2000), and is applied in order to avoid “excessive judicial inter
ference with plan administration.”
Daniel v. Eaton Corp.,
839 F.2d 263, 267 (6th Cir.1988) (citations omitted). The decision of a Plan administrator will not be considered arbitrary and capricious if it is “rational in light of the plan’s provisions.”
Daniel,
839 F.2d at 267. Stated differently, “when it is possible to offer a reasoned explanation, based on the evidence, for a particular outcome, that outcome is not arbitrary or capricious.”
Williams,
227 F.3d at 712.
Plaintiff offers several unpersuasive arguments claiming that the arbitrary and capricious standard of review does not apply to the Plan. Plaintiff first argues that the arbitrary and capricious standard of review should not apply because defendant, as the insurer of the Plan, has a financial stake in the outcome of its decisions on eligibility. The Sixth Circuit, however, has rejected the view that a conflict of interest warrants abandoning the arbitrary and capricious standard.
McCartha v. National City Corp.,
419 F.3d 437, 442-443 (6th Cir.2005). Rather than causing a change in the standard of review, a conflict of interest is taken into account as a factor in determining whether the decision was arbitrary and capricious.
University Hospitals Of Cleveland v. Emerson Elec. Co.,
202 F.3d 839, 842 (6th Cir.2000).
Plaintiff also argues that the arbitrary and capricious standard of review does not apply because the Plan failed to meet the requirements of a qualified ERISA Plan. Judge Battani, however, has already ruled that the Plan in this case is an ERISA Plan.
See
Judge Battani’s Opinion and Order denying plaintiffs motion to remand and granting defendant’s motion to dismiss, Case No. 05-73183, Docket No. 10. Even if this Court could review
de novo
whether the Plan qualifies under ERISA, which it cannot under the law of the case doctrine, the Plan meets the requirements of an ERISA Plan, as discussed by Judge Battani’s application of the three step analysis of
Thompson v. American Home
As
sur. Co.,
95 F.3d 429, 434 (6th Cir.1996), in her Opinion and Order.
Plaintiff further argues that the arbitrary and capricious standard of review does not apply because the Plan language was facially inadequate to transfer discretionary authority to defendant. In plaintiffs view, the policy language is insufficient because it does not provide for a method by which a named fiduciary could delegate discretionary authority to non-fiduciaries, such as defendant, as described in 29 U.S.C. § 1105(c)(1). However, as discussed above, defendant is clearly a fiduciary responsible for determining eligibility benefits under the plain language of the Plan. Because defendant is already, under the terms of the Plan, the fiduciary with discretionary authority to determine eligibility for benefits and construe the terms of the Plan, it is unnecessary to have a named fiduciary transfer discretionary authority to defendant pursuant to 29 U.S.C. § 1105(c)(1).
Plaintiff next argues that the arbitrary and capricious standard of review does not apply because the Plan itself incorporates Michigan laws and Michigan laws prohibit giving discretion to insurers in payment of
benefits. ERISA generally preempts state law, but this Plan does contain language stating that it should conform to state statutes, “Any provision of this policy that, on its effective date, is in conflict with the statutes of the state in which it is issued, or issued for delivery, is amended by this section to conform to the minimum requirements of that state statute.” In support of his argument that Michigan law prohibits insurers from having discretion, plaintiff relies on MCL 500.3006(3), which provides that an insurer shall timely pay claims when furnished with satisfactory proof of a disability. It is not clear, however, that the Plan language granting defendant discretion in this case conflicts with that statute as no language in MCL 500.3006(3) expressly prohibits contracts giving insurers discretion in determining eligibility for benefits. Plaintiff also relies on a Michigan Supreme Court where that court vacated a decision of the Michigan Court of Appeals in which the Court of Appeals found that the Plan in the case granted the insurer discretion. See,
Krochmal v. Paul Revere Life Ins. Co.,
474 Mich. 1010, 708 N.W.2d 112 (2006).
Krochmal,
however, did not involve an ERISA Plan or MCL 500.3006(3), and it did not hold that, under Michigan law, insurers can never enter contracts giving them discretion. Furthermore, even if the Plan does incorporate the language of MCL 500.3006(3) requiring that an insurer pay benefits when furnished with satisfactory proof of a disability, the Sixth Circuit has specifically found that a Plan which requires “satisfactory proof of a disability” is a Plan that clearly grants discretion and which is subject to review under the arbitrary and capricious standard of review.
Perez v. Aetna Life Ins.,
150 F.3d 550, 556-558 (6th Cir.1998).
IV. Analysis
Plaintiff argues that defendant’s decision to terminate his benefits was arbitrary and capricious because of the result defendant reached and because of the process defendant used in reaching that result.
Potentially relevant to both arguments is defendant’s possible conflict of interest. As discussed above, the possible conflict of interest should be taken into account as a factor in determining whether the decision was arbitrary and capricious.
McCartha v. National City Corp.,
419 F.3d 437, 442-443 (6th Cir.2005). That factor, however, only applies where there is significant evidence was motivated by self-interest.
McCartha,
419 F.3d at 442. Defendant’s financial stake in benefit determinations alone is not sufficient to suggest a conflict of interest.
Donatiello v. Hartford Life and Accident Ins. Co.,
344 F.Supp.2d 575, 579 (E.D.Mich.2004). In this case, there is simply nothing in this record to suggest that defendant’s decision was motivated or influenced by its financial interest in minimizing Plan payouts, beyond the fact that defendant does indeed have such a financial stake in benefit determinations and the possible conflict of interest is not a factor in this case.
Another possible factor in determining whether defendant’s decision was arbitrary and capricious is the SSA determination that he is disabled. While not binding, an SSA determination is meaningful because it provides support for the conclusion that an administrative agency charged with examining plaintiffs medical records found,
as it expressly said it did, objective support for the opinion that plaintiff was disabled. See,
Calvert v. Firstar Finance, Inc.,
409 F.3d 286, 294 (6th Cir.2005). In this case, while the SSA determination came after defendant’s decision to deny plaintiffs claim for benefits, it is still relevant because of the conclusion the agency reached.
Regarding the result reached by defendant, both parties rely on the opinions of doctors in supporting their motions. It is undisputed that, after suffering a near-fatal heart attack, plaintiff was diagnosed with coronary artery disease leading to an acute myocardial infarction and cardiovascular arrest. What is disputed are the effects plaintiffs condition has on his ability to work.
Dr. Charbal Bazo is plaintiffs primary care physician, but he is not a cardiologist. According to Dr. Bazo, plaintiffs condition has rendered him unable to perform any jobs because he often has chest pains, weakness, high blood pressure fatigue, shortness of breath, and trouble concentrating. Plaintiff would only be able to work for a half hour before needing a half hour break. Plaintiff would also need four days off a month. According to Dr. Bazo, he based his opinions on his examination of plaintiff, stress tests performed on plaintiff and laboratory work performed on plaintiff (AR 0941-0950).
Dr. Samman is a cardiologist who has treated plaintiff. In June 1999, Dr. Sam-man performed a cardiac catheterization on plaintiff and found no evidence of restenosis related to the angioplasty performed on plaintiff at the time of his heart attack. Dr. Samman did note that plaintiff reported frequent bouts of fatigue and occasional episodes of chest discomfort. Dr. Samman advised plaintiff that plaintiff should be able to return to work. Dr. Samman’s report did not state what, if anything, has to occur before plaintiff could return to work (AR 0058). In September 2004, Dr. Samman performed another cardiac catheterization on plaintiff and found similar results to the earlier cardiac catheterization (AR0883).
At defendant’s request, Dr. Paul W. Sweeney, a cardiologist, reviewed plaintiffs medical records. Dr. Sweeney believed that the exercise testing performed on plaintiff showed an excellent exercise capacity without evidence of eschemia and that the cardiac catheterizations performed on plaintiff showed no significant obstructive coronary artery disease to explain plaintiffs complaints of chest discomfort. Dr. Sweeney concluded that, from a cardiac standpoint, plaintiff could do medium capacity work full-time without any restrictions on walking, sitting, or bending. Plaintiff would need a restriction on lifting (AR 0984-0985).
Russell G. Stogsdill, a physician’s assistant, reviewed plaintiffs medical records relating to his ankle. Stogsdill noted that, while plaintiff has repeatedly complained about his ankle, plaintiff has declined certain types of treatment and has refused to wear a brace. Stogsdill concluded that, on the basis of the x-rays and examinations performed on plaintiff, plaintiff could be released to activities without formal restrictions and that plaintiff is capable of the light level of occupational activities (AR 0987-0988).
In addition to the medical opinions, both parties submitted opinions by vocational experts. In May of 2004, Karen L. Swanson — Daigle completed a transferable skills analysis (TSA) at the request of defendant. Swanson-Daigle reviewed plaintiffs medical records, work history, and employment records. Swanson-Daigle concluded that, even considering plaintiffs physical limitations and limited education, plaintiff had several long-term vocational
opportunities. Among the opportunities identified by Swanson-Daigle were positions as a driver, general laborer, receiving associate, and groundskeeper (AR 0632-0634).
Another vocational expert, Dr. Samuel Goldstein, performed a TSA on plaintiff at the request of plaintiff. Goldstein examined plaintiff, reviewed the medical records and previous TSA, and gave plaintiff an aptitude test. On the basis of Bazo’s opinions, Goldstein concluded that it is unreasonable to believe plaintiff could, medically and physically, sustain full time employment. Goldstein also concluded that Swanson-Daigle’s analysis was flawed because she described jobs that are actually semi-skilled positions or above, and jobs for which plaintiff had no skills (AR 852-860).
A third vocational expert, Charles Galarraga, performed a TSA on plaintiff at the request of JHA. Galarraga reviewed the claim file and all medical records delivered with the referral. On the basis of Sweeney and Stogsdill’s opinions, Galarraga concluded that plaintiff could work as a taxicab starter, chauffeur, or telephone solicitor (AR 0994-1000).
Ultimately, the conflict between the vocational experts can be traced to the conflict between the doctors. While all three vocational experts stated they relied on all the medical records, each relied heavily on specific opinions. Goldstein expressly stated that his conclusions are based on taking Dr. Bazo at his word and on accepting a reasonable portion of plaintiffs statements. Swanson-Daigle and Galarraga only cited to the medical opinions of Sweeney and Stogsdill. The differences in the medical opinions therefore lead to the differences in the opinions by the vocational experts, even over the question of whether plaintiff could perform his old jobs as a driver and chauffeur.
The conflict in opinions, both medical and vocational, compels the conclusion that defendant’s decision to deny benefits was not arbitrary or capricious. “Generally, when a plan administrator chooses to rely upon the medical opinion of one doctor over that of another in determining whether a claimant is entitled to ERISA benefits, the plan administrator’s decision cannot be said to have been arbitrary and capricious because it would be possible to offer a reasoned explanation, based upon the evidence, for the plan administrator’s decision.”
McDonald v. Western-Southern Life Ins. Co.,
347 F.3d 161, 169 (6th Cir.2003). In this case, defendant chose to rely on the opinions of Sweeney and Stogsdill, and its interpretation of Samman’s report, over the opinion of Bazo and plaintiffs interpretation of Samman’s report. That decision was not arbitrary or capricious.
While, as noted by plaintiff, only Bazo and Samman treated plaintiff, “under the arbitrary and capricious standard, Defendant is free to disagree with the conclusions of Plaintiffs treating physician, and instead prefer the opinions of a reviewing doctor who has never examined Plaintiff so long as those opinions are reasonable and based on the evidence.”
Harris v. Kemper Ins. Companies,
360 F.Supp.2d 844, 849 (E.D.Mich.2005). Sweeney and Stogsdill based their opinions on the evidence before them, including the exercise tests and cardiac catheterizations performed on plaintiff. On the basis of that evidence, they concluded that plaintiff could work. Samman’s report stated that plaintiff should be able to resume working. Two vocational experts concluded that plaintiff could do a number of jobs. Viewing those opinions under the arbitrary and capricious standard of review, defendant’s decision to terminate benefits should be upheld
and judgment entered in favor of defendant.
Plaintiff also argues that defendant’s decision was arbitrary and capricious because of the process by which it reached its decision to terminate benefits. As discussed above, plaintiff received total disability benefits until July 2004. Plaintiff argues that because he was receiving total disability benefits and nothing in his condition changed, the decision to terminate benefits was arbitrary and capricious. The Plan in this case requires that plaintiff remain under the care of a qualified physician and provide medical records to defendant, which suggests that plaintiff has a continuing obligation to prove his disability.
Donatiello v. Hartford Life and Accident Ins. Co.,
344 F.Supp.2d 575, 580 (E.D.Mich.2004). The mere fact that defendant once found plaintiff to be totally disabled does not preclude it from later terminating benefits if it determines, in its discretion, that plaintiff no longer meets the applicable standard.
Plaintiff also argues that the process by which defendant reached its decision to terminate benefits was arbitrary and capricious because defendant only terminated the benefits after failing to coerce plaintiff into a settlement. The administrative record does reflect the fact that defendant raised the possibility of settling plaintiffs claim (AR 0569-0570), but there is nothing in the record suggesting that defendant’s decision was irrational in light of the Plan’s provisions. Defendant indicated that it was likely going to deny plaintiff further benefits and raised the possibility of settling the case. As discussed above, defendant’s decision was based on ample evidence and the mere fact that it offered plaintiff a settlement does not render its decision arbitrary and capricious.
Plaintiff further argues that defendant’s decision to terminate benefits was arbitrary and capricious because of defendant’s “conspiracy” with the reinsurer JHA. Plaintiff argues that defendant was secretly working with JHA to terminate plaintiffs benefits both before and during JHA’s review of plaintiffs case. The fact that defendant consulted with JHA and solicited a recommendation from it does not establish that defendant conspired to wrongfully terminate plaintiffs benefits. Moreover, plaintiffs concerns about the involvement of JHA are essentially irrelevant where the record shows that defendant thoroughly reviewed plaintiffs case and came to a reasoned decision.
V. Conclusion
For the reasons stated above, the court recommends that the defendant’s motion for judgment be GRANTED and that plaintiffs cross-motion to reverse defendant’s decision to terminate plaintiffs long-term disability benefits be DENIED.
The parties to this action may object to and seek review of this Report and Recommendation, but are required to act within ten (10) days of service of a copy hereof as provided for in 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1) and E.D. Mich. L.R. 72.1(d)(2). Failure to file specific objections constitutes a waiver of any further right of appeal.
Thomas v. Arn,
474 U.S. 140, 106 S.Ct. 466, 88 L.Ed.2d 435 (1985);
Howard v. Secretary of HHS,
932 F.2d 505, 508 (6th Cir.1991);
United States v. Walters,
638 F.2d 947, 949-50 (6th Cir.1981). The filing of objections which raise some issues, but fail to raise others with specificity, will not preserve all the objections a party might have to this Report and Recommendation.
Willis v. Secretary of HHS,
931 F.2d 390, 401 (6th Cir.1991);
Smith v. Detroit Fed’n of Teachers Local 231,
829 F.2d 1370, 1373 (6th Cir.1987). Pursuant to E.D. Mich. L.R. 72.1(d)(2), a copy of any objections is to be served upon this magistrate judge.
Within ten (10) days of service of any objecting party’s timely filed objections, the opposing party may file a response. The response shall be no more than 20 pages in length unless, by motion and order, the page limit is extended by the court. The response shall address each issue contained within the objections specifically and in the same order raised.
Dated: April 5, 2007.