While similar to the Butero test, Davila refines Butero by inquiring about the existence of a separate legal duty, which is not a consideration under Butero.
Moreover, a number of other circuits have recognized Davila’s two-part test as the proper test for complete preemption under ERISA . . . In accordance with the Supreme Court’s directive, we too apply Davila.
Conn. State Dental Ass’n v. Anthem Health Plans, Inc., 2009 U.S. App. LEXIS 28773 (11th Cir. Fla. Dec. 30, 2009)
This recent 11th Circuit opinion applies the two-part analysis required under Aetna Health Inc. v. Davila, 542 U.S. 200 (2004) to health care providers’ allegations in a class action complaint. The now familiar Davila test requires two inquiries: (1) whether the plaintiff could have brought its claim under § 502(a); and (2) whether no other legal duty supports the plaintiff’s claim.
On the facts before it in this case, the Court held that several of the providers’ claims were completely preempted under this test.