Anthem Blue Cross Life and Health Insurance Co. v. HaloMD, LLC
C.D. Cal. → 9th Cir. · Updated
Summary
Anthem sued HaloMD and affiliated billing companies and providers, alleging RICO and state-law violations and seeking vacatur of IDR awards. On April 9, 2026, the Central District of California dismissed without leave to amend: no FAA vacatur ground was pleaded, the NSA bars other federal review of IDR determinations, and state claims were left to state court. Ninth Circuit briefing is under way.
Timeline of rulings
- 9th Cir.
Appellees' response briefs filed; appeal pending.
- C.D. Cal.
Notice of appeal to the Ninth Circuit filed.
Read the ruling - C.D. Cal.
Vacatur claim dismissed for failure to plead an FAA § 10(a) ground; other federal claims (including RICO) dismissed for lack of jurisdiction under the NSA's limit on judicial review; supplemental jurisdiction over state claims declined; no leave to amend.
Read the ruling
Why it matters
It was the first ruling in the wave of insurer suits against IDR vendors and has been cited by later courts dismissing similar payer suits. Its Ninth Circuit appeal is one of several pending appeals in payer suits, alongside Aetna v. Radiology Partners in the Eleventh Circuit (No. 26-11607), that could produce the first appellate ruling on whether payers can litigate IDR eligibility fraud outside FAA vacatur.
Related insights
Sources
General information only, not legal advice. Verdict Consulting Group is not a law firm.