Karen Rittinger v. Healthy Alliance Life Ins Co.

This case involves a bariatric surgery gone wrong and the ensuing clash over insurance coverage. Given our highly deferential standard of review, we cannot say that Anthem, the plan administrator, abused its discretion in either the first or second internal appeal. Because we agree with Anthem, Rittinger's cross-appeal (to determine the exact dollar amount of damages she is owed) is moot.

I

Karen Rittinger was the beneficiary of an ERISA-covered plan. Healthy Alliance Life Insurance Company offered the plan and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (Anthem) administered it.

In October 2014, Rittinger…