Publication Archive: Commercial Litigation

Four substance abuse treatment centers in Michigan have filed a lawsuit against an insurance company over claims that it “slashed” reimbursement rates, or did not pay, for the treatment of patients at their facilities. Central to the dispute is the fact that the four centers are all out of network – one subsequently applied to…Read the article

Four Michigan addiction treatment facilities have filed a federal lawsuit against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) over what they term an unjustified slashing of payments and a high number of claims denials for substance use treatment since 2016. Partner Matt Lavin of the law firm representing the facilities tells Behavioral Healthcare Executive that…Read the article

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan faces a lawsuit filed on behalf of mental health and substance abuse treatment providers that accused the insurer of underpaying claims. New York City-based law firm Napoli Shkolnik filed the lawsuit on behalf of four substance abuse treatment centers in the United States District Court for the Western District…Read the article

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan was hit with a $40 million lawsuit Wednesday alleging the insurer improperly slashed its reimbursement rates for substance abuse treatment facilities, choosing to line its own pockets instead of covering the claims even as the state faced a “worsening opioid epidemic.” Matthew M. Lavin, an attorney for the facilities,…Read the article

Since June 2016, Blue Cross allegedly cut benefits and denied claims related to substance abuse and other behavioral health issues, the lawsuit said. Napoli Shkolnik Partner Matt Lavin said Blue Cross paid the centers $900 per day for inpatient residential treatment before June 2016, but while the opioid crisis was escalating dropped the per day…Read the article

The lawsuit contends that the Michigan Blues have either underpaid or wrongfully denied claims related to substance abuse and other behavioral health disorders. The lawsuit, which is also asking for punitive damages and injunctive relief, contends that the Michigan Blues have either underpaid or wrongfully denied claims related to substance abuse and other behavioral health…Read the article

A California federal judge has tentatively approved an increased $395,000 settlement in a class action alleging Uber denied drivers their fair share of riders’ payments, saying the deal is still on the low end, but fair. The revamped deal made three notable changes, according to Judge Alsup. Each class member will receive at least $20…Read the article

The Essex County Board of Supervisors is considering hiring the New York City law firm Napoli Shkolnik — which is representing the counties of Fulton, Nassau, Otsego, Schoharie, Sullivan and Wyoming in the lawsuit. The lawsuit alleges that local 911 services are underfunded as a result of the apparent failure of AT&T, Frontier Communications, Time…Read the article