Glatthorn v. Independence Blue Cross

34 F. App'x 420
CourtCourt of Appeals for the Third Circuit
DecidedApril 15, 2002
Docket01-2846
StatusUnknown
Cited by4 cases

This text of 34 F. App'x 420 (Glatthorn v. Independence Blue Cross) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Glatthorn v. Independence Blue Cross, 34 F. App'x 420 (3d Cir. 2002).

Opinion

OPINION OF THE COURT

McKEE, Circuit Judge.

Joan Glatthorn and Joseph Lasensky appeal from the order of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania granting judgment on all counts in favor of defendant, Independence Blue Cross, at the conclusion of a bench trial. For the reasons that follow, we will affirm.

I.

As we write only for the parties, we need not reiterate the facts relevant to this appeal. We review the district court’s interpretation of the Medicare as Secondary Payer statute de novo. See Kapral v. United States, 166 F.3d 565, 567 (3d Cir. 1999) (issues of statutory interpretation are reviewed de novo). We also review the district court’s interpretation of the Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law, as well as appellants’ common law fraud and breach of contract claims de novo. See Chemical Leaman Tank Lines, Inc. v. Aetna Cas. and Surety Co., 89 F.3d 976, 983 (3d Cir. 1996) (a district court’s interpretation of state law is reviewed de novo). However, the district court’s findings of fact are reviewed for clear error. See Beta Spawn, Inc. v. Fee Transp. Serv., Inc., 250 F.3d 218, 223 (3d Cir.2001).

II.

Appellants argue that the district court misinterpreted the Medicare as Sec *422 ondary Payer statute (“MSP”), when it found that the MSP required proof of intentional efforts by the primary insurer (Blue Cross) to avoid paying appellants’ claims, and that appellants had not presented such proof. Further, appellants argue that the district court misinterpreted state law when it found that the evidence did not establish fraud under either the Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law (“UTPCPL”) or common law fraud. Finally, appellants argue that the district court erroneously found that Blue Cross’ actions did not amount to a breach of contract. The MSP is a series of amendments to Social Security Act. The MSP provides that even where a subscriber is eligible for Medicare, under certain circumstances, a group health plan is the “primary payer” and primarily responsible for the subscriber’s medical bills. See 42 U.S.C. § 1395y(b)(1)(A)(i) (1997). Medicare will then pay any remaining amount not covered by the primary payer. See New York Life Ins. Co. v. United States, 190 F.3d 1372, 1374 (Fed.Cir.1999). If Medicare makes a payment on a subscriber’s medical bills, the primary payer must reimburse Medicare for the expense. See 42 U.S.C. § 1395y(b)(2)(B)(i). There are a few exceptions where the MSP does not apply. Most importantly for our purposes, the MSP does not apply to group health plans used by employers with fewer than 20 employees. See 42 U.S.C. § 1395y(b)(1)(A)(ii). The MSP provides for a private cause of action as follows:

There is established a private cause of action for damages (which shall be in an amount double the amount otherwise provided) in the case of a primary plan which fails to provide for primary payment (or appropriate reimbursement) in accordance with such paragraphs (1) and (2)(A).

42 U.S.C. § 1395y(b)(3)(A).

However, this must be interpreted in a manner that is consistent with the overall purpose of the statute. Congress enacted the MSP to cut costs in the Medicare program by providing that, under certain circumstances, group health plans are primary to Medicare. See United States v. Travelers Ins. Co., 815 F.Supp. 521, 522 (D.Conn.1992). Where Medicare is not a party to a case, there is no risk to Medicare’s financial health. Where Medicare is not involved in the dispute, “[Medicare’s] fiscal integrity is not threatened, and the MSP statute does not apply.” Perry v. United Food and Commercial Workers Disk Unions 105 and 112, 64 F.3d 238, 243 (6th Cir.1995). We are persuaded by the reasoning of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, and agree that the MSP is only applicable in situations where Medicare’s financial integrity is at issue.

This is not such a case as Medicare is not a party to the dispute. Appellants do not even allege that Medicare paid any amount toward their medical bills, let alone an amount requiring reimbursement by Blue Cross. It is also undisputed that Blue Cross paid all of appellants’ claims before the Complaint was filed. Thus, there is no claim left unpaid which Medicare could potentially be asked to pay. Consequently, appellants have not alleged facts sufficient to bring their case within the ambit of the MSP, and thus the MSP does not apply here.

Appellants further argue that the district court erred in finding that there was no fraud under either the UTPCPL, 73 P.S. § 201-1, et seq., or common law. A claim under the UTPCPL has the same elements as a common law fraud claim. See Booze v. Allstate Ins. Co., 750 A.2d 877, 880 (Pa.Super.2000). These include material misrepresentation of an existing fact, scienter, justifiable reliance, and damages. See id. A cause of action can arise from the breach of a contractual duty, but *423 liability must be supported by more than nonfeasance, or the failure to perform a contractual duty. Rather, a plaintiff must allege misfeasance, or the improper performance of a contractual obligation. See Gordon v. Pennsylvania Blue Shield, 378 Pa.Super. 256, 548 A.2d 600, 604 (1988). An insurer’s mere refusal to pay a claim is nonfeasance, which is not actionable in tort. See Horowitz v. Fed. Kemper Life Assurance Co., 57 F.3d 300, 307 (3d Cir. 1995) (applying Pennsylvania law).

The district court found that appellants did not prove the elements of fraud, and we agree. Appellants did not prove that Blue Cross made any material misrepresentations. Appellants received the medical services from the providers at the contract price. Appellants also allege that Blue Cross refused to pay primary to Medicare on their bills. However, by the time the Complaint was filed, Blue Cross had paid all of appellants medical bills. At best, Blue Cross’ initial refusal to pay the insurance claims is nonfeasance.

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
34 F. App'x 420, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/glatthorn-v-independence-blue-cross-ca3-2002.