An update on various aspects of the Academy's suit against the insurers

Attorneys for the Academy of Medicine and the representative physician plaintiffs in the suit against four local insurance companies appeared before the Ohio Court of Appeals on Tuesday, September 23. The three judge panel heard arguments from the insurance companies seeking to reverse previously favorable rulings for the Academy and physicians that came in earlier action by the Hamilton County Court. The insurers are trying to overturn Judge David Davis' decisions to allow the case to proceed in Court, as opposed to forcing physicians to arbitrate with the four companies. Essentially, the Ohio portion of the suit has been on hold while the appeals process is underway. A decision on the appeal could take several months.

Meanwhile, discovery is moving ahead in the parallel Kentucky suit, while the appeal by the insurers against favorable rulings for us by the lower court there is pending. Also, a re-hearing on our motion for class certification in the Kentucky suit has been scheduled for October 13th.

Our attorneys have also filed motions in both Ohio and Kentucky to stop Humana/ChoiceCare from basing current contract negotiations with physician providers on the doctors agreeing to release Humana/ChoiceCare from the local suits.

In a related matter
Nearly 1700 physicians in our area opted-out of the Aetna settlement reached in the Florida federal court. Our attorneys will be at an upcoming hearing there to object to the proposed settlement on behalf of local physicians.

Russell Dean
Executive Director