Allstate battles in Appellate courts

May 8, 2015

Allstate is under fire in various courts addressing the language of its policy following the Florida Supreme Court’s ruling in Geico Gen. Ins. Co. v. Virtual Imaging Services, Inc., 141 So.3d 147 (Fla.2013). In Virtual Imaging, the Court ruled in favor of Virtual Imaging finding that GEICO had not made the election in the policy that they would use the Medicare fee schedules of Florida’s PIP statute to reimburse the medical providers.

Multiple appellate courts have been asked to address the issue of the language in Allstate Insurance Co.’s policy regarding its election to use the Medicare fee schedules to limit benefit reimbursements. The various Appellate courts are addressing the following question: “Did Allstate provide the requisite notice that it would use the fee schedule payment limitations authorized by Subsection 5(a)(2)?”

The following cases are under review throughout Florida’s Appellate courts:

Allstate v. Stand-Up MRI

Case No. 1D-14-1213

First District Court of Appeal

This case includes several consolidated county court appeals. Allstate is the Appellant, and former Judge Gary Farmer represents the Plaintiffs. The First DCA ruled in favor of Allstate in March (see earlier post titled, 1st DCA Upholds Allstate Use of Medical Fee Schedules). On April 24, the First DCA denied Appellee’s April 2nd motion for rehearing, rehearing en banc and certification.

Allstate v. Markley Chiro.

Case No. 2D-14-3818 in the Second District Court of Appeal on cert. question of great public importance

Allstate is Appellant

The case was fully briefed in February, 2015 and argument is requested.

Fla. Wellness v. Allstate

Case No. 3D-15-0151

Third District Court of Appeal

There are five consolidated county court appeals. Allstate is the Appellee. Marlene Reiss represents the Plaintiffs/Appellants. The briefing has not yet begun.

Ortho. Specialists v. Allstate

Case No. 4D-14-0287

Fourth District Court of Appeal

There are several consolidated county court appeals. Allstate is the Appellee. Former Judge Gary Farmer represents the Plaintiffs. The appeal was argued on April 14th.

Florida Wellness v. Allstate

Case No. 15-11590

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

The federal district court’s summary judgment order is being appealed by Plaintiff South Florida Wellness. Allstate is the Appellee. The briefing has not yet begun.