Amy Clements v. University of Michigan Regents ( 2019 )

If this opinion indicates that it is “FOR PUBLICATION,” it is subject to
revision until final publication in the Michigan Appeals Reports.
STATE OF MICHIGAN
COURT OF APPEALS
AMY CLEMENTS, UNPUBLISHED
February 21, 2019
Plaintiff-Appellant,
v No. 341114
Court of Claims
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN REGENTS, LC No. 16-000272-MK
Defendant-Appellee.
Before: SWARTZLE, P.J., and MARKEY and RONAYNE KRAUSE, JJ.
PER CURIAM.
Plaintiff, Amy Clements, appeals by right an order granting summary disposition in favor
defendant, University of Michigan Regents, under MCR 2.116(C)(10). Plaintiff had sought
long-term disability (LTD) benefits, but the University’s LTD plan administrator denied the
request and that decision was upheld by an independent appeal panel. The decision prompted
plaintiff to file suit in the Court of Claims, which summarily dismissed her complaint,
determining as a matter of law that the denial of plaintiff’s request for LTD benefits was not
arbitrary and capricious. We affirm.
I. FACTS
Plaintiff fell from a 20-foot balcony in December 2012 and sustained extensive physical
injuries. She was in a coma for over two weeks. Plaintiff complained of ongoing back, hip, and
“SI” joint 1 pain. After her fall, plaintiff obtained a Master of Science degree from Wayne State
University. In September 2013, Ned L. Kirsch, Ph.D., a psychologist, completed an initial
neuropsychological examination on plaintiff. He found “no indications of any specific area of
cognitive decline, including no impairments of attention and concentration, processing speed,
verbal reasoning, perceptual reasoning, verbal memory, perceptual memory, or executive
reasoning, including no impairments of conceptual shifting.” Dr. Kirsch also determined that
1
This is a reference to the “sacroiliac” joint.
plaintiff had “intact functioning consistent with baseline [normal] status,” that “[t]here were no
indications of clinically significant psychological difficulties interfering with daily function,”
and that there was “no cognitive reason for work leave.” He recommended that plaintiff return
to work on a graduated schedule. Plaintiff attempted to return to work as a registered nurse at
the University of Michigan hospital twice between November 2013 and August 2014, but she
found work difficult and exhausting. In January 2014, plaintiff passed the board examination to
become a nurse practitioner. In early 2014, she reduced her schedule as a nurse to three eight-
hour shifts per week, but found that even with the lighter schedule, she was still exhausted.
Plaintiff did not return to work after August 2014.
In October 2014, plaintiff began treatment with a psychiatric nurse practitioner who
described plaintiff as anxious, irritable, tearful, and quick to sob. The nurse practitioner noted
that plaintiff had difficulty accomplishing basic tasks, felt overwhelmed, and had issues planning
her weekly schedule. In the course of plaintiff’s treatment with the psychiatric nurse
practitioner, she was prescribed various medications. In November 2014, plaintiff underwent
additional neurological testing with Dr. Kirsch. He determined that plaintiff exhibited “superior”
intellectual functioning, unimpaired attention and concentration and had no problems with
sustaining attention. Dr. Kirsch further opined that plaintiff demonstrated unimpaired motor
skills, verbal reasoning, perceptual reasoning, verbal memory, perceptual memory, and
unimpaired executive functioning. The evaluation resulted in a finding that plaintiff was not
disabled for purposes of her employment.
Between March 2015 and May 2016, plaintiff underwent treatments and evaluations by
numerous healthcare professionals. During this period, Laura Feldmesser, Ph.D., did a
biopsychosocial assessment and noted that plaintiff had trouble sleeping, woke up from
nightmares, had difficulty calming herself when upset, and had problems with her memory,
focusing, and sequencing. Wendy Corriveau, N.P., completed a Healthcare Provider Statement
for defendant, indicating that plaintiff was unable to work.
After examining plaintiff and completing a medical statement in November 2015,
plaintiff’s primary care physician diagnosed chronic traumatic brain injury, severe chronic post-
traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depression, severe anxiety, headaches, gastroparesis,
right optic nerve compression, chronic pain, and chronic fatigue. He opined that plaintiff was
disabled and that her impairment had lasted for or would last for more than 12 months. James
Fuller, M.A., C.R.C., a vocational rehabilitation counselor, issued a report on April 28, 2016,
following an interview with plaintiff and review of her medical restrictions. He opined that she
was unemployable.
Defendant requested that plaintiff complete an independent medical examination (IME)
with Craig Lemmen, M.D. In June 2015, Dr. Lemmen reviewed plaintiff’s medical records, her
job description at the University, her prior neuropsychological evaluations, and records of her
psychiatric treatment. He also met with plaintiff for several hours. Dr. Lemmen indicated that
before writing his IME report, he took an extensive medical history from plaintiff and had
plaintiff complete the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. He did not address
plaintiff’s physical disability, but stated that from a cognitive perspective, “she appeared to be
intact.” Dr. Lemmen opined that there was no evidence of plaintiff’s self-described depression
and anxiety disorders. He found a “marked” discrepancy between plaintiff’s reported symptoms
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and the results of the objective tests given her. Dr. Lemmen noted that, since her fall, plaintiff
had been able to “find and keep a mate, pass master level courses, pass her [nurse practitioner]
[b]oard exams, and work full time for five months . . . .” Dr. Lemmen based his opinion on “the
absence of findings that she has credible symptoms and also on objective findings that she was,
for example, able to sustain intact concentration during the two hour evaluation and then while
completing psychological testing.” When prompted as to whether he found plaintiff to be
“totally disabled,” Dr. Lemmen stated, “I do not find her disabled from a psychiatric perspective,
as I cannot even verify a diagnosis.” He further opined, “I see no psychiatric evidence that she is
unable to meet the demands of her current position, and do not see any justification for [work]
accommodations.” Upon receiving additional information from plaintiff after he wrote his
original IME report, Dr. Lemmen drafted an addendum to the report, concluding again that
plaintiff was not disabled from a psychiatric standpoint.
Plaintiff applied for LTD benefits on August 19, 2015, claiming total disability due to
“severe chronic depression and anxiety, PTSD, chronic pain and chronic fatigue.” Plaintiff
stated in her application that she attended physical therapy sessions as a part of her treatment
regimen. Plaintiff attached a Health Care Provider Statement from her psychologist, Dr.
Feldmesser, who opined that plaintiff suffered from PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and
major depressive disorder. Dr. Feldmesser also indicated that plaintiff had impaired memory,
was unable to concentrate, suffered from fatigue, and had problems interacting with others.
The University’s LTD benefit administrator denied plaintiff’s claim because “[she] [did]
not meet the definition of total and permanent disability under the University of Michigan’s
Expanded Long-Term Disability Plan.” The plan provided that one satisfies the definition under
the following circumstances:
The university’s [claims administrator] has determined, at their sole
discretion that you are completely unable, except during periods of rehabilitative
employment, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental
impairment, to engage in any occupation or employment for wages or profit for
which you are reasonabl[y] suited by education, training, or experience. The
impairment must be expected to result in death or to have lasted, or be expected to
last, for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months from your last
day of work.
Plaintiff appealed. The appeal panel, which was comprised of “individuals independent
of the University of Michigan LTD unit” and included “an experienced Claims Specialist, a
Claims Manager and a Registered Nurse,” reviewed “all original claim information as well as
any additional documentation supplied.” The appeal panel determined:
There is no evidence to support that the above conditions, either
individually or in totality, disable you from any occupation for a continuous
period of not less than [12] months from 08/04/2014. Being out of the workplace
for more than [12] months does not automatically qualify you for benefits under
the LTD plan.
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Therefore, your claim has been denied as it does not meet the definition of
total and permanent disability.
Plaintiff then instituted this action in the Court of Claims, which rejected plaintiff’s
contention that the administrator’s denial letter lacked any rationale for its decision to deny LTD
benefits. The Court of Claims determined that although the claims administrator’s rationale was
brief, it was satisfactory and not arbitrary or capricious.
II. ANALYSIS
Plaintiff argues that the Court of Claims erred in granting defendant’s motion for
summary disposition. This Court reviews de novo a trial court's ruling on a motion
for summary disposition. Loweke v Ann Arbor Ceiling & Partition Co, LLC, 489 Mich 157, 162;
809 NW2d 553 (2011). With respect to the well-established principles governing the analysis of
a motion for summary disposition brought pursuant to MCR 2.116(C)(10), this Court in Pioneer
State Mut Ins Co v Dells, 301 Mich App 368, 377; 836 NW2d 257 (2013), observed:
In general, MCR 2.116(C)(10) provides for summary disposition when
there is no genuine issue regarding any material fact and the moving party is
entitled to judgment or partial judgment as a matter of law. A motion brought
under MCR 2.116(C)(10) tests the factual support for a party's claim. A trial court
may grant a motion for summary disposition under MCR 2.116(C)(10) if the
pleadings, affidavits, and other documentary evidence, when viewed in a light
most favorable to the nonmovant, show that there is no genuine issue with respect
to any material fact. A genuine issue of material fact exists when the record,
giving the benefit of reasonable doubt to the opposing party, leaves open an issue
upon which reasonable minds might differ. The trial court is not permitted to
assess credibility, weigh the evidence, or resolve factual disputes, and if material
evidence conflicts, it is not appropriate to grant a motion for summary disposition
under MCR 2.116(C)(10). A court may only consider substantively admissible
evidence actually proffered relative to a motion for summary disposition under
MCR 2.116(C)(10). [Citations and quotation marks omitted.]
In analyzing a factually analogous claim in Guiles v Univ of Mich Bd of Regents, 193
Mich App 39, 43; 483 NW2d 637 (1992), this Court held that in accordance with Firestone Tire
& Rubber Co v Bruch, 489 US 101; 109 S Ct 948; 103 L Ed 2d 80 (1989), an independent LTD
plan administrator’s decision about eligibility is reviewed under an arbitrary and capricious
standard, but only if the benefit plan gives the administrator discretionary authority to determine
eligibility and to construe the terms of the plan. See also Shaw v AT&T Umbrella Benefit Plan No.
1, 795 F3d 538, 546 (CA 6, 2015) (“When the plan grants the plan administrator such discretion, then
a court must review the administrator's denial of benefits under the arbitrary-and-capricious
standard.”). In this case, the University’s LTD claims administrator makes LTD disability
determinations at the administrator’s sole discretion based on medical information, which must
include objective clinical findings. Because the claims administrator for the University was
granted “sole” discretion to determine plaintiff’s eligibility for LTD benefits, the parties and the
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Court of Claims were correct to analyze the administrator’s decision under an arbitrary and
capricious standard.
“A ruling is arbitrary and capricious when it lacks an adequate determining principle,
when it reflects an absence of consideration or adjustment with reference to principles,
circumstances, or significance, or when it is freakish or whimsical.” Westcott v Civil Serv
Comm, 298 Mich App 158, 162; 825 NW2d 674 (2012); see also Bundo v City of Walled Lake,
395 Mich 679, 703 n 17; 238 NW2d 154 (1976). The arbitrary and capricious standard is the least
demanding form of judicial review of administrative action. McDonald v Western-Southern Life Ins
Co, 347 F3d 161, 169 (CA 6, 2003). Despite this most deferential standard of review, it does not
equate to no review; “deference need not be abject.” Hess v Hartford Life & Accident Ins Co, 274
F3d 456, 461 (CA 7, 2001) (quotation marks omitted). Still, “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 . . . 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, 347 F3d at 169.
Plaintiff argues that the administrator’s decision to deny her LTD benefits was arbitrary
and capricious because: (1) the administrator did not provide a rationale to support its decision;
(2) the mere statement that evidence was reviewed was an insufficient explanation; (3) the
administrator improperly relied on the opinion of Dr. Lemmen, a psychiatrist, to determine that
she was not physically disabled due to chronic back pain; and (4) the conclusions about
plaintiff’s disabilities in Dr. Lemmen’s IME report conflicted with the medical records produced
by plaintiff.
The administrator, after noting plaintiff’s alleged impairments and reviewing all the
medical documentation that plaintiff had submitted from 11 medical professionals, found that
plaintiff did not meet the definition of a total and permanent disability under the terms of the
University’s LTD plan. The appeal panel could not find any evidence to support an alternative
conclusion. As the Court of Claims recognized, the justifications given by the administrator
were concise and arguably circular; however, an LTD plan administrator’s decision does not
require the depth and reasoning present in a judicial opinion. The law requires an articulation of
the decision by the plan administrator or trustee. Militello v Central States, SE & SW Areas
Pension Fund, 360 F3d 681, 689 (CA 7, 2004) (“Although the [denial] letter is sparse, the
Trustees were required to give only specific reasons, not the reasoning behind the reasons.”)
(quotation marks omitted); Gallo v Amoco Corp, 102 F3d 918, 923 (CA 7, 1996) (“All [the plan
administrator] has to give the [claimant] is the reason for the denial of benefits; he does not have
to explain to him why it is a good reason. To require that would turn plan administrators not just
into arbitrators, for arbitrators are not usually required to justify their decisions, but into judges,
who are.”). Here, the plan administrator determined that upon review of all the medical
documentation provided that plaintiff’s purported impairments did not qualify as a total and
permanent disability under the University’s LTD plan. This is a clear, albeit short, articulation of
the decision. Plaintiff’s contention that this explanation was insufficient is not enough to render
it void because the administrator articulated its decision by referencing the process it completed
before denying plaintiff benefits and explaining why it denied plaintiff benefits. The law
requires nothing more.
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Plaintiff contends that the decision to elevate Dr. Lemmen’s opinion about her claimed
disability over those provided by other healthcare professionals was arbitrary and capricious.
We disagree: a plan administrator is free to rely on one doctor’s opinion over another’s.
Hayden v Martin Marietta Materials, Inc, Flexible Benefits Program, 763 F3d 598, 607 (CA 6,
2014); McDonald, 347 F3d at 169. There was evidence presented regarding plaintiff’s alleged
disabilities, most notably the assessments of her physician, James Fuller, Wendy Corriveau, and
Dr. Feldmesser, indicating that plaintiff suffered from psychological and physical ailments that
prevented her from working. The claims administrator, however, was free to rely on Dr.
Lemmen’s opinion that plaintiff was not disabled in rendering its decision on plaintiff’s LTD
claim.
With respect to the argument that the administrator relied on the opinion of a psychiatrist
to conclude that plaintiff was not physically disabled, we note that Dr. Lemmen did not explicitly
state that plaintiff was not physically disabled although he did observe that she was not totally
disabled. This suggested a determination that plaintiff was not totally physically disabled.
Moreover, in arguing that Dr. Lemmen was not qualified to give an opinion on her physical
disability, plaintiff disregards an earlier stipulation in which she agreed that Dr. Lemmen was
qualified to perform the IME and that he conducted a proper and appropriate IME.
Additionally, although it is apparent from the denial letter that the plan administrator
relied on Dr. Lemmen’s opinion that plaintiff was not disabled, it cannot be said that the
administrator solely relied on the doctor’s IME report in making the decision about plaintiff’s
physical disability. Both the initial and the appeal denial letters stated that the administrator
reviewed medical records plaintiff provided to it, which included documentation from many
medical professionals other than Dr. Lemmen. Of these medical professionals, at least two, Dr.
Kwok and James Fuller, discussed opinions about and care for plaintiff’s physical pain.
Documents produced from plaintiff’s sessions with each healthcare professional provided
varying insights about and recounted completed treatments for plaintiff’s physical pain. Implicit
in the determination that plaintiff’s physical ailments did not qualify as a total and permanent
disability under the terms of the University’s extended LTD plan was the administrator’s
utilization of medical records other than Dr. Lemmen’s report about plaintiff’s purported
physical disability. Because the decision was based on a review of extensive medical records,
including those covering the topic of physical ailments, and it was within the administrator’s
“sole discretion” to evaluate these records, it cannot be said that the administrator solely relied
on Dr. Lemmen’s opinion to decide that plaintiff was not physically disabled.
Finally, plaintiff argues that because the LTD plan administrator credited Dr. Lemmen’s
report over reports by other healthcare professionals, defendant acted arbitrarily and capriciously
in adopting the decision. But the terms of defendant’s extended LTD plan clearly state that the
decision to grant or deny LTD benefits to a claimant rests with the plan administrator.
Defendant gave the administrator “sole discretion” to grant or deny benefits to employees.
Defendant cannot be said to have acted arbitrarily and capriciously in following the procedure set
forth by the plan.
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We affirm. Having fully prevailed on appeal, defendant may tax costs under MCR 7.219.
/s/ Brock A. Swartzle
/s/ Jane E. Markey
/s/ Amy Ronayne Krause
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