Avoid the invectives October 11, 2008
Great Wall Acupuncture, P.C. v General Assur. Co.
2008 NY Slip Op 28350 (App. Term 2d Dept. 2008)
This case has been commented on numerous times before. It is one of many Mallela discovery motions that are granted as long as there is some shred of evidence that there is an improper incorporation issue. This follows the recent Appellate Division case of One Beacon Ins. Group, LLC v. Midland Medical Care, P.C., 2008 N.Y. Slip Op. 06813 (2d Dept. 2008), which held as follows:
“However, in opposition to the motion, the plaintiffs submitted sufficient evidentiary proof to raise an issue of fact as to whether Proscan was actually controlled by a management company owned by unlicensed individuals in violation of the Business Corporation Law”Accordingly, the appellants’ motion for summary judgment was properly denied with respect to all three causes of action, which allege fraudulent incorporation.”
“The Supreme Court properly granted that branch of the plaintiffs’ cross motion which was for disclosure of certain financial documents. Contrary to the appellants’ contention, the plaintiffs were not required to make a showing of “good cause” for such disclosure”
I like this case for the following quotation: “Although plaintiff contends that the court erred in denying the cross motion for an order sanctioning defendant and defendant’s counsel, in our opinion, the court providently exercised its discretion. We remind plaintiff’s counsel that “[f]rivolous conduct shall include the making of a frivolous motion for costs and sanctions” (Rules of the Chief Administrator [22 NYCRR] § 130-1.1). We further caution plaintiff’s counsel to refrain from including invective and ad hominem attacks in his papers.”
Fee schedule defense – Appellate Division gives due deference to the DOI October 11, 2008
Forrest Chen Acupuncture Services, P.C. v. GEICO Ins. Co.
2008 N.Y. Slip Op. 07211 (2d Dept. 2008)
“Furthermore, the defendant made a prima facie showing of its entitlement to summary judgment dismissing the complaint by submitting evidentiary proof that no fee schedule for the reimbursement of acupuncture treatments existed in 2001, and that it properly limited payment to “charges permissible for similar procedures under schedules already adopted” (11 NYCRR 68.5[b]; see Insurance Law § 5108; Ops Gen Counsel N.Y. Ins Dept No. 04-10-03 [October 2004] ). In opposition to the cross motion, the plaintiff failed to raise an issue of fact as to whether reimbursement for its acupuncture services was properly limited.”
Comment: I would opine that “competent evidence” to support a prima facie fee schedule defense would include (besides a timely denial) the following: (a) Pertinent portion of the fee schedule including conversion factor and CPT Codes with relative values; (b) DOI letter indicating it is proper; and (c) Affidavit from claims examiner indicating compliance with the foregoing.