Key Takeaway
Court ruling shows healthcare providers must specifically address verification requests rather than making general statements about not possessing records.
This article is part of our ongoing additional verification coverage, with 92 published articles analyzing additional verification issues across New York State. Attorney Jason Tenenbaum brings 24+ years of hands-on experience to this analysis, drawing from his work on more than 1,000 appeals, over 100,000 no-fault cases, and recovery of over $100 million for clients throughout Nassau County, Suffolk County, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx. For personalized legal advice about how these principles apply to your specific situation, contact our Long Island office at (516) 750-0595 for a free consultation.
Additional verification requests are a critical component of New York No-Fault Insurance Law, serving as insurers’ primary tool to validate medical claims and prevent fraud. When healthcare providers receive these requests, their response can make or break their ability to recover payment. The quality and specificity of the response often determines whether a provider has met their legal obligations under the no-fault system.
A recent appellate court decision illustrates the importance of providing targeted, specific responses to verification requests rather than broad, general statements about record availability. This case demonstrates how even well-intentioned responses can fail to satisfy legal requirements when they lack the necessary specificity and directness that courts demand.
Jason Tenenbaum’s Analysis:
Excel Surgery Ctr., L.L.C. v Fiduciary Ins. Co. of Am., 2017 NY Slip Op 50408(U)(App. Term 2d Dept. 2017)
“n response to defendant’s verification requests, plaintiff informed defendant, by letter, that plaintiff was an ambulatory facility and, as such, did “not possess all the medical records,” advising defendant to “request any additional information directly from the treating provider.” Plaintiff’s response did not refer to any specific request or state that plaintiff was not in possession of any of the items requested by defendant. Thus, plaintiff did not demonstrate that it had sufficiently responded to defendant’s verification requests”
So assume Plaintiff said we do not have the exact record? Different result as that would place the case into the Mt. Sinai v. Autoone category.
Key Takeaway
Healthcare providers must respond specifically to each verification request item rather than providing general statements about their record-keeping practices. A blanket response stating you “don’t possess all medical records” without addressing specific requested items will likely be deemed insufficient by the courts. This differs significantly from cases involving additional verification non-receipt where providers explicitly state they don’t possess the exact records requested.
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Legal Context
Why This Matters for Your Case
New York law is among the most complex and nuanced in the country, with distinct procedural rules, substantive doctrines, and court systems that differ significantly from other jurisdictions. The Civil Practice Law and Rules (CPLR) governs every stage of civil litigation, from service of process through trial and appeal. The Appellate Division, Appellate Term, and Court of Appeals create a rich and ever-evolving body of case law that practitioners must follow.
Attorney Jason Tenenbaum has practiced across these areas for over 24 years, writing more than 1,000 appellate briefs and publishing over 2,353 legal articles that attorneys and clients rely on for guidance. The analysis in this article reflects real courtroom experience — from motion practice in Civil Court and Supreme Court to oral arguments before the Appellate Division — and a deep understanding of how New York courts actually apply the law in practice.
About This Topic
Additional Verification in No-Fault Claims
Under New York's no-fault regulations, insurers may request additional verification of a claim within specified time limits. The timeliness, scope, and reasonableness of verification requests — and the consequences of a claimant's failure to respond — are among the most litigated issues in no-fault practice. These articles examine the regulatory framework for verification requests, court decisions on compliance, and the interplay between verification delays and claim determination deadlines.
92 published articles in Additional Verification
Keep Reading
More Additional Verification Analysis
No Denial Required When Provider Fails to Respond to Verification Within 120 Days
Appellate Division holds insurers need not issue a denial when a medical provider or injured person fails to respond to verification demands within 120 days. Analysis of Chapa...
Feb 25, 2026120-day rule and Fee Schedule
New York court ruling demonstrates how healthcare providers can lose no-fault claims due to verification failures and fee schedule violations in insurance disputes.
Feb 1, 2020Additional Verification non-receipt and lack of medical necessity.
Court ruling on no-fault insurance claim denial for acupuncture services due to insufficient response to verification requests and lack of medical necessity evidence.
Apr 26, 2013How did you know that you never received the requested verification?
New York courts require insurance companies to prove they never received verification documents with specific evidence and personal knowledge, not mere assertions.
Aug 19, 2010120-day rule crumbles
Court case analysis showing how the 120-day rule for no-fault insurance verification demands has been weakened, allowing claims to proceed despite procedural issues.
Jun 11, 2018Do you really believe that the verification was mailed? I don’t
Court ruling shows how medical providers can counter insurance company claims of non-receipt through proper affidavit evidence in no-fault verification disputes.
Nov 28, 2015Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is additional verification in no-fault insurance?
Additional verification is a request by the insurer for more information to process a no-fault claim, authorized under 11 NYCRR §65-3.5. When the insurer sends a verification request, the 30-day clock for claim processing is tolled (paused) until the requested information is received. This is a common insurer tactic to delay payment — but the verification request must be timely and relevant to be valid.
How long does an insurer have to request additional verification?
Under the no-fault regulations, the insurer must request initial verification within 15 business days of receiving the claim. Follow-up verification requests must be made within 10 business days of receiving a response to the prior request. If the insurer fails to meet these deadlines, the verification request is invalid and cannot be used to toll the claim processing period.
What types of additional verification can a no-fault insurer request?
Under 11 NYCRR §65-3.5, insurers may request medical records, provider licensing documentation, proof of treatment rendered, tax returns or financial records (in certain fraud investigations), authorization for release of medical records, and signed NF-3 verification forms. The verification request must be relevant to the claim and not overly burdensome. Requests for information not reasonably related to claim processing may be challenged as improper.
What happens if I don't respond to a no-fault verification request?
Failure to respond to a timely and proper verification request can result in denial of your no-fault claim. Under 11 NYCRR §65-3.5(o), if the requested verification is not provided within 120 calendar days of the initial request, the claim is deemed denied. The 120-day period runs from the date of the original request. However, if the verification request itself was untimely or improper, the denial based on non-response may be challenged.
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About the Author
Jason Tenenbaum, Esq.
Jason Tenenbaum is the founding attorney of the Law Office of Jason Tenenbaum, P.C., headquartered at 326 Walt Whitman Road, Suite C, Huntington Station, New York 11746. With over 24 years of experience since founding the firm in 2002, Jason has written more than 1,000 appeals, handled over 100,000 no-fault insurance cases, and recovered over $100 million for clients across Long Island, Nassau County, Suffolk County, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island. He is one of the few attorneys in the state who both writes his own appellate briefs and tries his own cases.
Jason is admitted to practice in New York, New Jersey, Florida, Texas, Georgia, and Michigan state courts, as well as multiple federal courts. His 2,353+ published legal articles analyzing New York case law, procedural developments, and litigation strategy make him one of the most prolific legal commentators in the state. He earned his Juris Doctor from Syracuse University College of Law.
Disclaimer: This article is published by the Law Office of Jason Tenenbaum, P.C. for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is formed by reading this content. The legal principles discussed may not apply to your specific situation, and the law may have changed since this article was last updated.
New York law varies by jurisdiction — court decisions in one Appellate Division department may not be followed in another, and local court rules in Nassau County Supreme Court differ from those in Suffolk County Supreme Court, Kings County Civil Court, or Queens County Supreme Court. The Appellate Division, Second Department (which covers Long Island, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island) and the Appellate Term (which hears appeals from lower courts) each have distinct procedural requirements and precedents that affect litigation strategy.
If you need legal help with a additional verification matter, contact our office at (516) 750-0595 for a free consultation. We serve clients throughout Long Island (Huntington, Babylon, Islip, Brookhaven, Smithtown, Riverhead, Southampton, East Hampton), Nassau County (Hempstead, Garden City, Mineola, Great Neck, Manhasset, Freeport, Long Beach, Rockville Centre, Valley Stream, Westbury, Hicksville, Massapequa), Suffolk County (Hauppauge, Deer Park, Bay Shore, Central Islip, Patchogue, Brentwood), Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, and Westchester County. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.