Blue Cross & Blue Shield v. Sanders , 138 F.3d 1347 ( 1998 )

United States Court of Appeals,
Eleventh Circuit.
No. 97-6178.
BLUE CROSS & BLUE SHIELD OF ALABAMA, Plaintiff-Appellee,
v.
Doyle G. SANDERS and Tina M. Sanders, Defendants-Appellants.
April 13, 1998.
Appeal from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama. (No. 96-L-925-
NE), Seybourn H. Lynne, Senior District Judge.
Before TJOFLAT and HULL, Circuit Judges, and KRAVITCH, Senior Circuit Judge.
KRAVITCH, Senior Circuit Judge:
This case, brought under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA"),
29 U.S.C. §§ 1001-1461, presents questions of subject matter jurisdiction, federal preemption, and
statute of limitations.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama ("Blue Cross") sued Doyle G. Sanders and Tina M.
Sanders ("the Sanderses") under ERISA, 29 U.S.C. § 1132(a)(3)(B). The district court denied
summary judgment to the Sanderses and granted summary judgment to Blue Cross. See Blue Cross
& Blue Shield of Ala. v. Sanders, 974 F.Supp. 1416 (N.D.Ala.1997). We affirm.
I.
From June 1990 to May 1992, the Sanderses were participants in a health benefits plan ("the
Plan") offered through Mr. Sanders's employer, the Nichols Research Corporation ("NRC"). The
Plan, an "employee welfare benefit fund" under 29 U.S.C. § 1002(1), was self-funded by NRC,
which paid the cost of all claims approved by Blue Cross, the "Claims Administrator" under the
terms of the Plan. See Plan at 1, § I, ¶ 2.
The version of the Plan at issue here was executed on August 23, 1991, with a retroactive
effective date of January 1, 1991. The "Subrogation" provision of the Plan stated in part:
If the Claims Administrator pays or provides any benefits for a Member under this Plan, it
is subrogated to all rights of recovery which that Member has in contract, tort or otherwise
against any person or organization for the amount of benefits paid or provided. That means
that the Claims Administrator may use the Member's right to recover money from that other
person or organization.
Separate from and in addition to the Claims Administrator's right of subrogation, if an
Employee or a member of his family recovers money from the other person or organization
for any injury or condition for which benefits were provided by the Claims Administrator,
the Member agrees to reimburse the Claims Administrator from the recovered money that
amount of benefits the Claims Administrator has paid or provided.... The right to
reimbursement of the Claims Administrator comes first even if the Member is not paid for
all of his claim for damages ... or if the payment he receives is for, or is described as for, his
damages (such as personal injuries) for other than health care expenses....
Plan at 38, § XI—Subrogation, WW 1-2 (emphasis in original).
In March 1991, Mrs. Sanders was injured in an automobile accident, which resulted in
various medical expenses. Blue Cross authorized the Plan to pay medical providers a total of
$12,678.69 for these expenses. In November 1991, the Sanderses filed suit in Alabama state court
against both the owner and the driver of the vehicle. The suit did not include any claim for medical
expenses. The Sanderses won a default judgment, which was satisfied by a payment of $200,000
in October 1992. They did not notify Blue Cross about the judgment, but Blue Cross, upon learning
of the judgment, requested that they reimburse the Plan in the amount of $12,678.89. They refused.
In April 1996, Blue Cross, on behalf of the Plan, sued the Sanderses in federal district court
under 29 U.S.C. § 1132(a)(3)(B). Section 1132(a)(3) states in part:
A civil action may be brought ... by a participant, beneficiary, or fiduciary (A) to enjoin any
act or practice which violates any provision of this subchapter or the terms of the plan, or (B)
to obtain other appropriate equitable relief (i) to redress such violations or (ii) to enforce any
provisions of this subchapter or the terms of the plan.
2
In its complaint, Blue Cross requested that the court: (1) pursuant to 29 U.S.C. §
1132(a)(3)(B)(i), issue a declaratory judgment interpreting Section XI of the Plan to require, inter
alia, that the Sanderses reimburse the Plan the amount of $12,678.89; and (2) pursuant to 29 U.S.C.
§ 1132(a)(3)(B)(ii), enforce Section XI of the Plan and obtain reimbursement from the Sanderses
in the amount of $12,678.89.
In their answer, the Sanderses admitted that Blue Cross was a fiduciary seeking equitable
relief under 29 U.S.C. § 1132(a)(3). See Answer at 2, ¶ 4 ("The Defendants admit the allegations
of paragraphs 1 through 7 except this action is not prosecuted by Nichols Research Corporation's
Employee's Health Benefit Plan, the real party in interest, as required by Rule 17, Federal Rules of
Civil Procedure."); Complaint at 2, ¶ 5 (stating that the court had subject matter jurisdiction under
29 U.S.C. § 1132(a)(3) because the action was brought by a fiduciary under an employee welfare
benefit plan to enforce provisions of the plan); id. at ¶ 3 (stating that Blue Cross was a Plan
fiduciary with standing to bring an action under 29 U.S.C. § 1132(a)(3)); Answer at 2-3, WW 3(c),
6, 12 (stating that Blue Cross was seeking "equitable" relief1).
The parties filed cross-motions for summary judgment. The district court denied summary
judgment to the Sanderses and granted summary judgment to Blue Cross. See Blue Cross & Blue
Shield of Ala. v. Sanders, 974 F.Supp. 1416 (N.D.Ala.1997). In its order, the court determined that
the Plan conflicted with Alabama's common law of subrogation, but it ruled that ERISA preempted
1
See Answer at 2, WW 3(c)("Since subrogation is an equitable remedy, the Plaintiff is now
barred by waiver, estoppel, latches [sic] or unclean hands to maintain this action against your
Defendants ...."); id. at 2, ¶ 6 ("The Defendants deny that the reimbursement provisions of the
plan are binding upon the Defendants in this equitable proceeding."); id. at 3, ¶ 12 ("[T]he
Plaintiff is seeking to come into this court of equity with unclean hands; all of its claims are
barred by equitable principles, equitable estoppel and waiver.").
3
this state law. Id. at 1419-22. The court concluded: "Under the plan's provisions on subrogation,
the plan is entitled to recover the $12,678.69 that it has paid for Tina M. Sanders' injuries." Id. at
1422.2
On appeal, the Sanderses argue that:
(1) the district court lacked subject matter jurisdiction over this case brought under 29 U.S.C. §
1132(a)(3)(B) because:
(a) Blue Cross was not a "fiduciary" under 29 U.S.C. § 1132(a)(3); and
(b) the relief sought was not "equitable" under 29 U.S.C. § 1132(a)(3)(B);
(2) Alabama law prohibited Blue Cross, on behalf of the Plan, from recovering money from the
Sanderses' tort action;
(3) the instant action was barred by the statute of limitations; and
(4) the reimbursement provision of the Plan should not apply retroactively to medical benefits that
were paid on Mrs. Sanders's behalf before the Plan was executed.3
We analyze the Sanderses' arguments de novo, applying the same legal standards that bound
the district court and viewing all facts and any reasonable inferences therefrom in the light most
favorable to the non-moving party. See Hale v. Tallapoosa County, 50 F.3d 1579, 1581 (11th
Cir.1995). Summary judgment is appropriate only when "there is no genuine issue of material fact
and ... the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law." Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c).
II.
2
In granting relief based on the "plan's provisions on subrogation," the district court
apparently is referring to the second paragraph of "Section XI—Subrogation," which requires
reimbursement, not the first paragraph, which addresses subrogation. See Plan at 38, §
XI—Subrogation, WW 1-2.
3
Without explanation, the Sanderses also refer to a variety of other equitable defenses:
laches, waiver, estoppel, and unclean hands. See Sanderses' Br. at 27. We summarily reject
these arguments as meritless.
4
The Sanderses contend that the district court lacked subject matter jurisdiction over the
instant suit brought under 29 U.S.C. § 1132(a)(3)(B) because: (a) Blue Cross was not a "fiduciary"
under 29 U.S.C. § 1132(a)(3); and (b) the relief sought was not "equitable" under 29 U.S.C. §
1132(a)(3)(B).
The Sanderses did not make this argument before the district court. Indeed, in their answer,
they explicitly admitted that Blue Cross was a fiduciary seeking equitable relief. See Answer at 2-3,
WW 3(c), 4, 6, 12. Notwithstanding the Sanderses' failure to raise the issue in the district court, this
court may review subject matter jurisdiction sua sponte. See Baltin v. Alaron Trading Corp., 128
F.3d 1466, 1468 (11th Cir.1997) (stating that this court may conduct plenary review of subject
matter jurisdiction and that this court has the obligation to inquire into subject matter jurisdiction
whenever it may be lacking) (citations omitted); see also Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(h)(3) ("Whenever it
appears by suggestion of the parties or otherwise that the court lacks jurisdiction of the subject
matter, the court shall dismiss the action.").
In determining whether the district court had subject matter jurisdiction, we respect the
important distinction between the lack of subject matter jurisdiction and the failure to state a claim
upon which relief can be granted. In Bell v. Hood, 327 U.S. 678, 66 S.Ct. 773, 90 L.Ed. 939 (1946),
the Court ruled that a claim alleged to arise under federal law should not be dismissed for lack of
subject matter jurisdiction if "the right of the petitioners to recover under their complaint will be
sustained if the Constitution and laws of the United States are given one construction and will be
defeated if they are given another." Id. at 685, 66 S.Ct. at 777. Thus, a federal court may dismiss
a federal question claim for lack of subject matter jurisdiction only if: (1) "the alleged claim under
the Constitution or federal statutes clearly appears to be immaterial and made solely for the purpose
5
of obtaining jurisdiction"; or (2) "such a claim is wholly insubstantial and frivolous." Id. at 682-83,
66 S.Ct. at 776. Under the latter Bell exception, subject matter jurisdiction is lacking only "if the
claim "has no plausible foundation, or if the court concludes that a prior Supreme Court decision
clearly forecloses the claim.' " Barnett v. Bailey, 956 F.2d 1036, 1041 (11th Cir.1992) (quoting
Olivares v. Martin, 555 F.2d 1192, 1195 (5th Cir.1977)); see also McGinnis v. Ingram Equipment
Co., Inc., 918 F.2d 1491, 1494 (11th Cir.1990) (en banc) ("The test of federal jurisdiction is not
whether the cause of action is one on which the claimant can recover. Rather the test is whether "the
cause of action alleged is so patently without merit as to justify ... the court's dismissal for want of
jurisdiction.' ") (quoting Dime Coal Co. v. Combs, 796 F.2d 394, 396 (11th Cir.1986)).
Under the reasoning of Bell and its progeny, federal subject matter jurisdiction exists in this
case as long as Blue Cross plausibly is a "fiduciary," see 29 U.S.C. § 1132(a)(3), seeking "equitable
relief," see 29 U.S.C. § 1132(a)(3)(B). Blue Cross plainly satisfied both the "fiduciary"4 and
4
Blue Cross has amply satisfied its burden of demonstrating that it plausibly is a fiduciary.
According to 29 U.S.C. § 1002(21)(A),
[A] person is a fiduciary with respect to a plan to the extent (i) he exercises any
discretionary authority or discretionary control respecting management of such
plan or exercises any authority or control respecting management or disposition
of its assets, ... or (iii) he has any discretionary authority or discretionary
responsibility in the administration of such plan....
See also 29 U.S.C. § 1002(9) (stating that the term "person" includes corporations).
Claims administrators are fiduciaries if they have the authority to make ultimate
decisions regarding benefits eligibility. Compare Libbey-Owens-Ford Co. v. Blue Cross
& Blue Shield Mut. of Ohio, 982 F.2d 1031, 1035 (6th Cir.1993) (holding that claims
administrator was fiduciary because it "retained authority to resolve all disputes
regarding coverage"), with Baker v. Big Star Div. of the Grand Union Co., 893 F.2d 288,
290 (11th Cir.1989) ("An insurance company does not become an ERISA "fiduciary'
simply by performing administrative functions and claims processing within a framework
of rules established by an employer, especially if, as in this case, the claims processor has
6
"equitable relief"5 elements of this inquiry. Accordingly, because Blue Cross's ERISA claims are
not been granted the authority to make the ultimate decisions regarding eligibility.");
Harris Trust and Sav. Bank v. Provident Life and Accident Ins. Co., 57 F.3d 608, 613
(7th Cir.1995) (ruling that claims administrator was not a fiduciary where employer had
the right to decide all disputed and non-routine claims); and Kyle Rys., Inc. v. Pac.
Admin. Servs., Inc., 990 F.2d 513 (9th Cir.1993) (stating that plan administrators are not
fiduciaries when they merely perform ministerial duties or process claims).
According to this standard, Blue Cross likely is a fiduciary under 29 U.S.C. §
1132(a)(3) because Blue Cross has full authority to determine payment eligibility for
submitted claims and to review denied claims. See Plan at 45-48; Administrative
Services Agreement between Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama and Nichols
Research Corporation, Inc. at 2, 9.
5
Blue Cross has more than satisfied its burden of demonstrating that the relief sought is
plausibly "equitable." Blue Cross essentially seeks specific performance of the reimbursement
provision of the Plan. Specific performance is an equitable remedy available when legal
remedies are inadequate. See Dairy Queen, Inc. v. Wood, 369 U.S. 469, 478, 82 S.Ct. 894, 900,
8 L.Ed.2d 44 (1962). Legal remedies were inadequate here because ERISA preemption would
have precluded Blue Cross from suing the Sanderses at law in state court, cf. Landwehr v.
Dupree, 72 F.3d 726, 736-37 (9th Cir.1995) (holding that where state law claims for damages
would fall within ERISA's preemptive scope, plan beneficiaries had no adequate remedy at law),
and because Blue Cross's only potential federal remedy was equitable, see 29 U.S.C. §
1132(a)(3), not legal, see 29 U.S.C. § 1132(a)(1)-(9) (listing types of civil enforcement actions
that may be brought under ERISA). Moreover, because Blue Cross had no other available
remedy, specific performance is "appropriate equitable relief" under 29 U.S.C. § 1132(a)(3)(B).
Cf. Varity Corp. v. Howe, 516 U.S. 489, 514, 116 S.Ct. 1065, 1079, 134 L.Ed.2d 130 (1996)
("[W]here Congress elsewhere provided adequate relief for a beneficiary's injury, there will
likely be no need for further equitable relief, in which case such relief normally would not be
"appropriate.' ").
In arguing that the relief sought by Blue Cross is not equitable, the Sanderses rely
on FMC Med. Plan v. Owens, 122 F.3d 1258 (9th Cir.1997), which, like this case,
involved a fiduciary seeking reimbursement pursuant to a benefit plan provision
requiring reimbursement from an insured who recovered payments from a third party.
The Owens court stated that the action was essentially "a breach of contract claim for
monetary relief" that did not fall within any of three traditional categories of equitable
relief: injunction, mandamus, or restitution. Id. at 1261. The court thus ruled that the
action was legal, rather than equitable, and not authorized under 29 U.S.C. § 1132(a)(3).
Id.; but see Harris Trust & Sav. Bank v. Provident Life & Accident Ins. Co., 57 F.3d 608,
615-16 (7th Cir.1995) (holding that employer's claim for reimbursement of benefits
pursuant to plan provision constituted action for restitution, which was equitable relief
7
neither "immaterial and made solely for the purpose of obtaining jurisdiction" nor "wholly
under § 1132(a)(3)(B)).
In our view, Owens appears to be based on an unduly narrow reading of Mertens
v. Hewitt Assocs., 508 U.S. 248, 113 S.Ct. 2063, 124 L.Ed.2d 161 (1993), which held that
29 U.S.C. § 1132(a)(3) does not allow a suit by plan participants for money damages
against nonfiduciaries who knowingly participate in a fiduciary's breach of fiduciary
duty. In Mertens, the Court reasoned that "equitable relief," as used in § 1132(a)(3)(B),
means those types of relief that were "typically available in equity (such as injunction,
mandamus, and restitution, but not compensatory damages)." 508 U.S. at 256, 113 S.Ct.
at 2069 (emphasis in original); see also id. at 260, 113 S.Ct. at 2071 (stating that
traditional equitable relief of restitution includes disgorgement of ill-gotten plan assets or
profits). Relying on Mertens, the Owens court held that "equitable relief" includes only
injunction, mandamus, and restitution. See 122 F.3d at 1261 (stating that the Ninth
Circuit has interpreted Mertens as allowing "only the traditional forms of equitable relief
under section 1132(a)(3)-injunction, mandamus, and restitution") (citing Watkins v.
Westinghouse Hanford Co., 12 F.3d 1517 (9th Cir.1993)).
The Court in Mertens, however, did not imply that specific performance is
unavailable under 29 U.S.C. § 1132(a)(3)(B). Because specific performance is a
traditional form of equitable relief, see Owens-Illinois, Inc. v. Lake Shore Land Co., Inc.,
610 F.2d 1185, 1189 (3d Cir.1979) ("An action for specific performance without a claim
for damages is purely equitable and historically has always been tried to the court."), we
believe that specific performance may be equitable relief available under 29 U.S.C. §
1132(a)(3)(B). Other courts have so held. See In re Unisys Corp. Retiree Med. Ben.
ERISA Litigation, 57 F.3d 1255, 1268-69 (3d Cir.1995) (ruling that "equitable relief"
under § 1132(a)(3)(B) includes monetary awards typically available in equity but not
compensatory or consequential damages; granting retirees both specific performance of
fiduciary's assurances of post-retirement medical benefits and restitutionary
reimbursement of back benefits), cert. denied, 517 U.S. 1103, 116 S.Ct. 1316, 134
L.Ed.2d 469, 470 (1996); Bishop v. Martin Marietta Corp., No. CIV.A.95-5426,
(E.D.Pa. March 31, 1997) (stating that employee suing fiduciary under § 1132(a)(3)(B)
may obtain equitable relief in the form of specific performance of fiduciary's assurances
of benefit eligibility). Because ERISA plausibly authorized the relief sought by Blue
Cross, the district court had subject matter jurisdiction over this case.
We note that Blue Cross sued under 29 U.S.C. § 1132(a)(3)(B). We therefore are
not presented with the question of whether an action to compel reimbursement could be
considered an injunctive action allowable under 29 U.S.C. § 1132(a)(3)(A) (authorizing
suit by a participant, beneficiary, or fiduciary "to enjoin any act or practice which
violates any provision of this subchapter or the terms of the plan").
8
insubstantial and frivolous," see Bell, at 682-83, 66 S.Ct. at 776, we hold that the district court
properly exercised jurisdiction over the case, see Health Cost Controls v. Skinner, 44 F.3d 535, 537-
38 (7th Cir.1995) (ruling that the district court had subject matter jurisdiction over an action brought
by a fiduciary to enforce reimbursement rights under 29 U.S.C. § 1132(a)(3); concluding that the
district court's holding that the remedy sought was not equitable "does not negate the existence of
federal subject matter jurisdiction, but rather indicates that [the plaintiff] may have failed to state"
a claim upon which relief can be granted); Brule v. Southworth, 611 F.2d 406, 409 (1st Cir.1979)
(holding that subject matter jurisdiction existed because plaintiff's claim was not frivolous or
insubstantial).
Furthermore, we need not determine whether Blue Cross failed "to state a claim upon which
relief can be granted." Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(6). As this court has held, "[T]he failure to state a claim
is not a jurisdictional question." Gholston v. Hous. Auth. of City of Montgomery, 818 F.2d 776, 781
(11th Cir.1987). Thus, although we may determine sua sponte whether subject matter jurisdiction
exists, we will not decide whether the plaintiff failed to state a claim unless the defendant preserved
that defense in the district court pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(h)(2). See Brule, 611 F.2d at 409
("Having neglected to assert the defense of failure to state a claim below, defendants have waived
their right to assert it now."); see also Dean Witter Reynolds, Inc. v. Fernandez, 741 F.2d 355, 360-
61 (11th Cir.1984) (declining to consider a defense not raised in the district court except under
extraordinary circumstances).
As noted supra, the Sanderses in the district court conceded that Blue Cross is a fiduciary
and that Blue Cross's reimbursement action is equitable. Although the Sanderses did include in their
answer the naked assertion that Blue Cross failed to state a claim, see Answer at 1, ¶ 1 ("The
9
complaint fails to state a claim against Defendants upon which relief can be granted."), the
Sanderses waived the particular failure to state a claim defense that is implicit in their subject matter
jurisdiction argument—namely, the defense that Blue Cross is not a "fiduciary," see 29 U.S.C. §
1132(a)(3), seeking "equitable relief," see 29 U.S.C. § 1132(a)(3)(B). See Miller v. Cudahy Co., 858
F.2d 1449, 1460 (10th Cir.1988) (holding that the mere recital of the defense of failure to state a
claim in defendant's answer was insufficient to preserve the issue for appellate review).
Because the Sanderses effectively waived the defense, this court will not determine whether
Blue Cross stated a claim upon which relief can be granted. As the First Circuit reasoned in Brule:
While the [defendant's] argument is presented as jurisdictional, it is plain that its
underpinnings rest on the contention that plaintiffs failed to state a claim on which relief
could be granted, and we think it fatal that defendants never asserted any such ground in the
district court, either before or during trial. Having neglected to assert the defense of failure
to state a claim below, defendants have waived their right to assert it now. Defendants now
wish to breathe new life into their waived defense of failure to state a claim by presenting
it as a challenge to the court's subject matter jurisdiction—the latter being an issue which,
of course, neither the parties nor the court could waive. We see no merit in this approach.
611 F.2d 406, 409 (1st Cir.1979); see also McGinnis v. Ingram Equipment Co., Inc., 918 F.2d 1491,
1494 (11th Cir.1990) (en banc) (holding that defendant waived the right to assert a failure to state
a claim; stating that issue was not jurisdictional); Brown v. Trustees of Boston Univ., 891 F.2d 337,
356-57 (1st Cir.1989) (same). Thus, the question of whether Blue Cross actually is a "fiduciary,"
see 29 U.S.C. § 1132(a)(3), seeking "equitable relief," see 29 U.S.C. § 1132(a)(3)(B), is not properly
before this court.
III.
The Sanderses also contend that Alabama law prohibited Blue Cross from recovering money
from the Sanderses' state court tort judgment. In our view, this argument is based on a misreading
of Alabama law and a misunderstanding of the wide scope of ERISA preemption.
10
Under Alabama common law, an insurer's subrogation right, whether equitable or
contractual, does not arise until the insured has been fully compensated for his loss. See CNA Ins.
Cos. v. Johnson Galleries of Opelika, Inc., 639 So.2d 1355, 1357 (Ala.1994); Powell v. Blue Cross
& Blue Shield of Ala., 581 So.2d 772, 776 (Ala.1990). The insurer has the burden of proving that
the insured has been fully compensated. See Complete Health, Inc. v. White, 638 So.2d 784, 787
(Ala.1994).
A state procedural rule supplements Alabama's substantive law of subrogation. According
to Ala. R. Civ. P. 17(a),
Every action shall be prosecuted in the name of the real party in interest.... In subrogation
cases, regardless of whether subrogation has occurred by operation of law, assignment, loan
receipt, or otherwise, if the subrogor no longer has a pecuniary interest in the claim, the
action shall be brought in the name of the subrogee. If the subrogor still has a pecuniary
interest in the claim, the action shall be brought in the names of the subrogor and the
subrogee.
Although the Sanderses concede that ERISA preempts Alabama's common law of
subrogation, see Sanderses' Br. at 27, they nonetheless contend that Alabama's procedural
subrogation rule, Ala. R. Civ. P. 17(a), precludes the instant suit. They assert:
The Plan was subrogated immediately upon payment of the medical benefits to the medical
providers. Therefore, the Plan in the present case, or Blue Cross on its behalf, was the real
party in interest with the sole right to maintain its subrogation case against the tort feasor
pursuant to Rule 17(a) of the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure.
Sanderses' Br. at 27.
The Sanderses thus interpret Ala. R. Civ. P. 17(a) to mean that because Blue Cross had
subrogation rights, it could sue only the third-party tortfeasor. The Plan, however, expressly
provided that Blue Cross, as Claims Administrator, had the right to reimbursement "[s]eparate from
and in addition to the Claims Administrator's right of subrogation." Plan at 38, § XI—Subrogation,
11
¶ 2. In order for the Sanderses to prevail, therefore, this court would have to hold that Ala. R. Civ.
P. 17(a) precludes a party with contractual subrogation rights from pursuing its contractual
reimbursement rights.
We reject the Sanderses' argument for two reasons. First, their interpretation of Ala. R. Civ.
P. 17(a) is unpersuasive. We have identified no authority holding that under Rule 17(a) a party with
both subrogation and reimbursement rights may only pursue its subrogation rights. The plain
language of the rule addresses only the proper form of a subrogation action, not whether a subrogee
may pursue an independent action based on its right to reimbursement.
Second, even if we were to accept the Sanderses' interpretation of Ala. R. Civ. P. 17(a), we
would hold that ERISA preempts this state law. As interpreted by the Sanderses, Rule 17(a) would
preclude Blue Cross from obtaining reimbursement under the Plan. See Plan, Section XI, ¶ 2. Rule
17(a) thus would fall within the scope of ERISA preemption. See 29 U.S.C. § 1144(a) (stating that,
except as provided in the saving clause, ERISA supersedes all state laws that "relate to any
employee benefit plan"); Pilot Life Ins. Co. v. Dedeaux, 481 U.S. 41, 47, 107 S.Ct. 1549, 1549, 95
L.Ed.2d 39 (1987) (stating that ERISA preemption has an "expansive sweep" and is not limited to
state laws designed specifically to affect employee benefit plans); cf. FMC Corp. v. Holliday, 498
U.S. 52, 111 S.Ct. 403, 112 L.Ed.2d 356 (1990) (holding that state subrogation law related to
employee benefit plans because it prohibited plans from being structured in a manner requiring
reimbursement in the event of recovery from a third party).
Moreover, ERISA's saving clause, 29 U.S.C. § 1144(b)(2)(A), does not protect Ala. R. Civ.
P. 17(a) from preemption. The saving clause states that, except as provided in the deemer clause,
"nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to exempt or relieve any person from any law of any
12
State which regulates insurance, banking, or securities." 29 U.S.C. § 1144(b)(2)(A). In Smith v.
Jefferson Pilot Life Ins. Co., 14 F.3d 562, 569 (11th Cir.1994), this court explained that the saving
clause only applies if the state law meets both prongs of the following two-part test: (1) "the state
law must regulate insurance within a common-sense view of the word "regulate,' " id., and thus the
law "must not just have an impact on the insurance industry, but must be specifically directed toward
that industry," Pilot Life, 481 U.S. at 50, 107 S.Ct. at 1554; and (2) the state law must regulate the
"business of insurance," as that term is defined by cases interpreting the scope of the McCarran-
Ferguson Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1011-1015, see Jefferson Pilot Life, 14 F.3d at 569 (citing Metropolitan
Life Ins. Co. v. Travelers Ins. Co., 471 U.S. 724, 743, 105 S.Ct. 2380, 2391, 85 L.Ed.2d 728 (1985)).
As this court has held, a state law satisfies the second part of this test if the law: (a) "has the effect
of transferring or spreading a policyholder's risk"; (b) "impacts an integral part of the policy
relationship between the insurer and the insured"; and (c) "is directed only at entities within the
insurance industry." See Jefferson Pilot Life, 14 F.3d at 569 (citing Metropolitan Life, 471 U.S. at
743, 105 S.Ct. at 2391).
Ala. R. Civ. P. 17(a) fails both prongs of this two-part test. Because the rule applies to all
subrogation actions, it is neither "specifically directed toward [the insurance] industry," Pilot Life,
481 U.S. at 50, 107 S.Ct. at 1554, nor "directed only at entities within the insurance industry,"
Jefferson Pilot Life, 14 F.3d at 569. Accordingly, the saving clause does not apply.6
6
This case differs from FMC Corp. v. Holliday, 498 U.S. 52, 111 S.Ct. 403, 112 L.Ed.2d 356(1990), which applied ERISA's saving clause because the state subrogation law was directly
related to insurance. In that case, the state law prohibited subrogation or reimbursement of
benefits paid or payable for tort recoveries in actions arising out of the maintenance or use of a
motor vehicle, where the benefits were provided through "[a]ny program, group contract or other
arrangement for payment of benefits." See FMC Corp., 498 U.S. at 59, 111 S.Ct. at 408 (citing
75 Pa. Cons.Stat. § 1719-20). Reasoning that the state law "does not merely have an impact on
13
Moreover, even if the saving clause were applicable, the deemer clause, 29 U.S.C. §
1144(b)(2)(B),7 would exempt the instant self-funded plan from Ala. R. Civ. P. 17(a). As the Court
ruled in FMC Corp., "State laws that directly regulate insurance are "saved' but do not reach
self-funded employee benefit plans because the plans may not be deemed to be insurance companies,
other insurers, or engaged in the business of insurance for purpose of such state laws." 498 U.S. at
61, 111 S.Ct. at 409; see id., at 65, 111 S.Ct. at 411 (holding that ERISA preempted the application
of a state anti-subrogation law to an employer's self-funded health care plan). The Sanderses'
reliance on Ala. R. Civ. P. 17(a) therefore is misplaced.
the insurance industry; it is aimed at it," see FMC Corp., 498 U.S. at 61, 111 S.Ct. at 409, the
Court ruled that the saving clause applied. By contrast, the subrogation law at issue in this case
covers all subrogation actions, including those arising outside of the insurance context. FMC
Corp., therefore, does not govern this case.
Because Ala. R. Civ. P. 17(a) is not directly related to the insurance industry, the
instant case is analogous to Baxter By and Through Baxter v. Lynn, 886 F.2d 182, 186
(8th Cir.1989), in which the court ruled that ERISA preempted the state common law of
subrogation. As the court explained,
[T]he law of subrogation, while generally applicable to insurance contracts, is not
specifically directed toward the insurance industry. While laws regulating
subrogation rights apply in part to holders of insurance, they do not regulate the
insurance industry directly.... Thus, a common sense reading of the insurance
saving clause indicates that common law rules on subrogation are not the type of
state insurance regulations intended to survive the broad scope of ERISA
preemption.
Id. at 186. Similarly, we hold that Ala. R. Civ. P. 17(a) is not the type of state law that is
intended to survive the broad scope of ERISA preemption.
7
According to the deemer clause, no employee benefit plan "shall be deemed to be an
insurance company or other insurer, bank, trust company, or investment company or to be
engaged in the business of insurance or banking for purposes of any law of any State purporting
to regulate insurance companies, insurance contracts, banks, trust companies, or investment
companies." 29 U.S.C. § 1144(b)(2)(B).
14
IV.
The Sanderses also contend that this case is governed by a two-year statute of limitations.
Because Blue Cross's cause of action for reimbursement presumably arose when the Sanderses
received payment on the default judgment in October 1992, a two-year limitations period would bar
the instant suit, which Blue Cross brought in April 1996.
ERISA does not specify a limitations period for a fiduciary's suit against a participant under
29 U.S.C. § 1132(a)(3) to enforce a reimbursement provision of a plan.8 In an ERISA action with
no congressionally mandated limitations period, the district court "must define the essential nature
of the ERISA action and apply the forum state's statute of limitations for the most closely analogous
action." Byrd v. MacPapers, 961 F.2d 157, 159 (11th Cir.1992); see also Wilson v. Garcia, 471
U.S. 261, 266-67, 105 S.Ct. 1938, 1942, 85 L.Ed.2d 254 (1985) (stating that when Congress has not
established a time limitation for a federal cause of action, courts should adopt a local time limitation
as federal law if it is not inconsistent with federal law or policy to do so). The characterization of
the federal claim for statute of limitations purposes "is derived from the elements of the cause of
action, and Congress' purpose in providing it. These, of course, are matters of federal law." Byrd,
961 F.2d at 159 (citing Clark v. Coats & Clark, 865 F.2d 1237, 1241 (11th Cir.1989)).
8
No relevant limitations period is found in 29 U.S.C. § 1132, see Blue Cross & Blue Shield of
Ala. v. Weitz, 913 F.2d 1544, 1551 n. 12 (11th Cir.1990) (stating that 29 U.S.C. § 1132 does not
specify a limitations period), or in any other ERISA provision, cf. 29 U.S.C. § 1113 (providing
limitations periods for suits brought "under this subchapter with respect to a fiduciary's breach of
any responsibility, duty, or obligation under this part, or with respect to a violation of this part");
Trustees of Wyo. Laborers Health and Welfare Plan v. Morgen & Oswood Constr. Co., Inc. of
Wyo., 850 F.2d 613, 618 n. 8 (10th Cir.1988) ("The statute of limitations contained in 29 U.S.C.
§ 1113 applies only to actions brought to redress a fiduciary's breach of its obligations to enforce
the provisions of ERISA.").
15
We therefore look to Alabama law for the relevant limitations period. As a matter of first
impression for this court, we hold that a fiduciary's action to enforce a reimbursement provision
pursuant to 29 U.S.C. § 1132(a)(3) is most closely analogous to a simple contract action brought
under Alabama law. Accordingly, we apply Alabama's six-year statute of limitations for simple
contract actions, see Ala.Code § 6-2-34(9),9 and reject the Sanders's proposed two-year limitations
period.10
V.
9Other circuits have used state contract law to establish limitations periods for civil
enforcement actions brought under 29 U.S.C. § 1132. See Pierce County Hotel Employees &
Restaurant Employees Health Trust v. Elks Lodge, 827 F.2d 1324, 1328 (9th Cir.1987);
Dameron v. Sinai Hosp. of Baltimore, Inc., 815 F.2d 975, 981 (4th Cir.1987); Miles v. N.Y.S.
Teamsters Conference Pension & Retirement Fund Employee Pension Benefit Plan, 698 F.2d
593, 598 (2d Cir.1983).
10
The Sanderses cite two inapposite cases in support of their contention that a two-year statute
of limitations applies. See Musick v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Inc., 81 F.3d 136 (11th
Cir.1996); O'Neal v. Kennamer, 958 F.2d 1044, 1047 (11th Cir.1992). In Musick, this court
determined the appropriate Alabama limitations period to apply to ERISA actions brought by
employees alleging that their layoffs were motivated by the employer's desire to avoid paying
retirement benefits. 81 F.3d at 137. The court applied Alabama's two-year limitations period
applicable to claims for wages and claims for discharge in retaliation for seeking worker's
compensation, rather than the six-year limitations period applicable to actions on simple
contracts. Id. at 138-39. The cause of action in Musick is entirely dissimilar to Blue Cross's
claim here.
In O'Neal, this court noted that under Alabama law a subrogee's action against a
third-party tortfeasor is a tort action for damages. 958 F.2d at 1047; see also Ala.Code
1975, Section 6-2-38(l ), (n) (providing two-year limitations period for any injury to the
person or rights of another not arising from contract). O'Neal is not relevant, however,
because the instant suit is not a subrogation action against third-party tortfeasors, but
rather a suit seeking reimbursement from the Sanderses under the terms of the Plan.
16
Finally, the Sanderses argue that the reimbursement provision of the Plan should not apply
retroactively to medical benefits paid to Mrs. Sanders before the Plan was executed.11 The
Sanderses did not raise this argument in the district court. Under exceptional circumstances, this
court may consider an issue not raised in the district court.12 No such circumstance exists here,
however, and we therefore deem this issue waived.
VI.
We reject all arguments raised by the Sanderses as either meritless or waived. Accordingly,
the district court's grant of summary judgment to Blue Cross is
AFFIRMED.
11
The Plan had an effective date of January 1, 1991, but it was executed on August 23, 1991,
by which time the Plan had paid medical providers much, if not all, of Mrs. Sanders's
accident-related medical expenses.
12
In Dean Witter Reynolds, Inc. v. Fernandez, this court held:
First, an appellate court will consider an issue not raised in the district court if it
involves a pure question of law, and if refusal to consider it would result in a
miscarriage of justice. Second, the rule may be relaxed where the appellant raises
an objection to an order which he had no opportunity to raise at the district court
level. Third, the rule does not bar consideration by the appellate court in the first
instance where the interest of substantial justice is at stake. Fourth, a federal
appellate court is justified in resolving an issue not passed on below where the
proper resolution is beyond any doubt. Finally, it may be appropriate to consider
an issue first raised on appeal if that issue presents significant questions of
general impact or of great public concern.
741 F.2d 355, 360-61 (11th Cir.1984) (internal quotations, citations, and ellipsis
omitted); see also In re Daikin Miami Overseas, Inc., 868 F.2d 1201, 1207 (11th
Cir.1989) (stating that the third exception generally refers to the vindication of
fundamental constitutional rights).
17