Opinion
CIVIL ACTION NO. 3:03-0572.
July 12, 2007.
Samuel J. Juniper, Point Pleasant, WV, Pro se.
Cynthia B. Jones, Steptoe Johnson, Morgantown, WV, Sara E. Hauptfuehrer, Steptoe Johnson, Clarksburg, WV, Thomas S. Kleeh, Steptoe Johnson, Charleston, WV, for Defendant.
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER
Pending before the Court are cross Motions for Summary Judgment by Plaintiff and Defendant. On June 23, 2003, the Court ordered that the above-styled civil action be referred to the Honorable Maurice G. Taylor, Jr., United States Magistrate Judge, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(B), for pretrial management and submission of his proposed findings of fact and recommendation. Magistrate Judge Taylor submitted his findings and recommended Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment be denied, Plaintiff's renewed Motion for Summary Judgment be granted and judgment be entered in favor of Plaintiff. Defendant objected to the findings and recommendation. Defendant argued that Magistrate Judge Taylor failed to give the appropriate deference to the Plan Administrator, and erroneously found that the decision by the Plan Administrator was unreasonable. In addition, Defendant argued that if the Court agrees with Magistrate Judge Taylor's findings, the dispute should be remanded to the Plan Administrator to resolve. Plaintiff responded to those objections. The Court has reviewed the pleadings and ADOPTS the Magistrate Judge's findings and recommendation. Plaintiff's renewed Motion for Summary Judgment is GRANTED, Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment is DENIED. The case is therefore DISMISSED.
Statement of Facts
On December 3, 2002 Plaintiff went to Holzer Clinic to have blood taken for testing. The clinic charged $205.00 for the procedure. (AR 1.) The insurance provider covered and partially paid for all but $13.00 of the bill. The uncovered charge was for venipuncture. Aetna's Explanation of Benefits ("EOB") stated this denial of coverage was because the charge was not the "prevailing charge level, as determined by Aetna." Id. When Plaintiff called Aetna he was told that the industry standard was not to pay for the venipuncture and it was an incidental expense. Id. The same charge was denied when Plaintiff went to the Clinic on December 12, 2002 and February 4, 2003 for blood testing. (AR 2-3.) The total amount in dispute is $40.00.Plaintiff contacted the M G Plan Administrator to challenge the denial of benefits. On April 24, 2003 Kimm Korber ("Plan Administrator") responded with a letter that "constitutes a denial of benefits under the Plan's claims review procedure." (AR 13.) The Plan Administrator explained that the charge for venipuncture is not eligible for reimbursement under the Pension, Insurance, and Service Award Agreement ("P I Agreement") since the charges were "unbundled" for the diagnostic tests and therefore the Clinic "submitted a separate charge for drawing the blood." (AR 12-13.) The letter also addresses Plaintiff's claim that venipuncture charges had previously been paid, most recently in July 2002, by United Healthcare at the same clinic. Id. The Plan Administrator explained that the former company, United Healthcare considered Holzer Clinic a network provider and covered the charges.
Plan Administrator sent two letters on April 24, 2003, the other letter addressed a denial of benefits for different claims, and an explanation of "reasonable customary" determinations. (AR 9-11.) The relationship between the two letters will be addressed later.
Aetna considers Holzer a non-network provider and does not allow for a separate venipuncture charge. The issue of coverage is not stated as being related to whether Holzer Clinic is in network or not, but simply that Aetna does not pay unbundled charges whereas United Healthcare did. According to Kober, under the P I Agreement, "charges made for diagnostic laboratory tests will be eligible for reimbursement wherever performed when authorized to by a doctor. . . . A separate venipuncture service does not constitute a diagnostic laboratory test." (AR 13, 25.) The P I Agreement lists a variety of charges that are considered ineligible for coverage, and venipuncture is not listed. The letter from the Plan Administrator states that since venipuncture is not listed as a specifically covered procedure, it is not covered under the catch all provision that "any service or supply not covered in the plan is excluded." (AR 13.)
The April 24, 2003 letter indicates that as a non-network provider Aetna and M G Polymers have no way to influence Holzer Clinic.
Although Kober adds emphasis on the language of "diagnostic laboratory tests" it appears from this language that the location of the test is not at issue. The statement is that the tests will be covered, "wherever performed when authorized to by a doctor."
Plaintiff filed suit in the Magistrate Court of Mason County on May 27, 2003 appealing the denial of his claim and seeking reimbursement for the charges. On June 23, 2003 the case was removed to this Court since the claims were preempted by Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA").
Standard of Review
In order to obtain summary judgment under Rule 56(c) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the moving party must show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Here, the parties do not dispute the material facts contained in the administrative record. Accordingly, this case may be properly disposed of on summary judgment.
Under ERISA, courts must review an administrator's decision to deny plan benefits de novo, unless the plan itself confers discretionary authority upon the administrator "to determine eligibility for benefits or to construe the terms of the plan." Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. v. Bruch, 489 U.S. 101, 115, 109 S.Ct. 948, 103 L.Ed.2d 80 (1989). When an administrator possesses such discretion, courts may review the eligibility determination only for an abuse of discretion. Barron v. UNUM Life Ins. Co. of Am., 260 F.3d 310, 315 (4th Cir. 2001). The plan at issue in this case states: "[a]ll interpretations, determinations, and decisions of the Plan Administrator" for claims under the agreement "will be in its sole and exclusive discretion and will be deemed final and conclusive." (AR 17.) The Court therefore will not disturb a discretionary decision if it is reasonable. Booth v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 201 F.3d 335, 342 (4th Cir. 2000) ("the standard for review under ERISA of a fiduciary's discretionary decision is for abuse of discretion, and we will not disturb such a decision if it is reasonable."). A decision is reasonable "if it is the result of a deliberate, principled reasoning process and if it is supported by substantial evidence." Bernstein v. Capitalcare, Inc., 70 F.3d 783, 788 (4th Cir. 1995) (citation omitted). "[W]hen a district court reviews a plan administrator's decision under a deferential standard, the district court is limited to the evidence that was before the plan administrator at the time of the decision." Id.; Elliott v. Sara Lee Corp., 190 F.3d 601, 608-09 (4th Cir. 1999).
A number of factors may be considered in the determination of whether the decision is reasonable:
(1) the language of the plan; (2) the purposes and goals of the plan; (3) the adequacy of the materials considered to make the decision and the degree to which they support it; (4) whether the fiduciary's interpretation was consistent with other provisions in the plan and with earlier interpretations of the plan; (5) whether the decisionmaking process was reasoned and principled; (6) whether the decision was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of ERISA; (7) any external standard relevant to the exercise of discretion; and (8) the fiduciary's motives and any conflict of interest it may have.Booth, 201 F.3d at 342-343. Magistrate Judge Taylor applied these factors when he determined the decision was arbitrary, not supported by evidence, inconsistent with earlier interpretations of the plan and not reasonable.
Discussion
ERISA governs the determination of the Plan Administrator and the process of reviewing the denial of the claim. ERISA provides "adequate notice in writing" should be given to a participant in an employee based insurance plan whose claim was denied that "set[s] forth the specific reasons for such denial, written in a manner calculated to be understood by the participant," and that the participant be afforded "a reasonable opportunity . . . for a full and fair review by the appropriate named fiduciary of the decision denying the claim." 29 U.S.C. §§ 1003, 1133. A denial of the claim shall include
(i) The specific reason or reasons for the adverse determination; (ii) Reference to the specific plan provisions on which the determination is based; (iii) A description of any additional material or information necessary for the claimant to perfect the claim and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary29 C.F.R. 2560.503-1. Substantial compliance with the specificity of the notice will be allowed when "the claimant is provided with a statement of reasons that, under the circumstances of the case, permitted a sufficiently clear understanding of the administrator's position to permit effective review." Ellis v. Metropolitan Life Ins. Co., 126 F.3d 228, 235 (4th Cir. 1997). "On the other hand, `[a] post hoc attempt to furnish a rationale for a denial of . . . benefits in order to avoid reversal on appeal' is not acceptable." Cox v. Reliance Std. Life Ins. Co., 43 Fed. Appx. 606, 609 (4th Cir. 2002) citing Short v. Cent. States, S.E. S.W. Areas Pension Fund, 729 F.2d 567, 575 (8th Cir. 1984). Plaintiff's claim was denied and his denial was reviewed by the Plan Administrator. Plaintiff has petitioned this Court appealing the determination.
I. Reasonableness of Plan Administrator's Determination:
Magistrate Judge Taylor recommended denial of Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment because the Plan Administrator's decision was not reasonable. Magistrate Judge Taylor relied on the evidence that the Plan Administrator's decision was not based on the same grounds as Aetna's denial, the charges had historically been covered, blood tests are covered under the agreement and Defendant failed to put forth a rational and reasonable basis for covering blood tests but not the procedure to procure the blood.
The agreement that covers this dispute is the Pension, Insurance, and Service Award Agreement ("P I Agreement"). Although the service providers may change and therefore coverage of specific doctors would change, the basic description in the P I Agreement of covered procedures does not appear as malleable as Defendant asserts. Reviewing the factors for determining whether the Plan Administrator's basis for denial was reasonable leads the Court to the same conclusion as Magistrate Judge Taylor.
The preamble to the P I Agreement states that "for the duration of this Agreement thereafter, the Employer will provide the following program" of benefits. (AR 19.) The P I Agreement provides that the "Employer may . . . enter into a contract or contracts with an insurance company or insurance companies to provide the benefits described in this Exhibit B-1. No insurance company contract which may be entered into by the Employer for the purpose of providing any benefit described in this Exhibit B-1 shall alter, amend or detract from the provisions of this Agreement." (AR 51.)
The first factor for the Court to review is the language of the plan "to determine whether the provision of benefits is prescriptive or discretionary and, if discretionary, whether the plan administrator acted within its discretion." Booth, 201 F.3d at 343. Even if the plan gives full discretion to the Plan administrator, the agreement cannot "allow a plan to alter the established standard of judicial review of discretionary decisions for reasonableness." Id. The P I Agreement gives the Plan Administrator full discretion, and "[a]ll interpretations, determinations, and decisions . . . will be in its sole and exclusive discretion." (AR 17.) Therefore the review by the Court is one of abuse of discretion and whether the determination by the Plan Administrator was reasonable. Booth, 201 F.3d at 343-44.
The eligible and ineligible services are detailed in the P I Agreement under Exhibit B-1. The P I Agreement states clearly that "Charges made for diagnostic laboratory tests will be eligible for reimbursement wherever performed when authorized by a doctor licensed to practice medicine." (AR 25.) When Defendant rejected the charge for venipuncture first through Aetna and then the Plan Administrator it used two different reasons, without any explanation or acknowledgment of the discrepancy. First, the charge was denied because the charge was not reasonable and customary, and then the denial was because the charge was not eligible as an unbundled charge. The importance of these two reasons for denial is that they come from an opposite initial determination. For a claim to be denied as not customary and reasonable, the determination is based on the underlying finding that the claim was eligible under Exhibit B-1. "This means that, subject to Exhibit B-1's limitations, the reimbursement of eligible charges will be calculated on the basis of the reasonable and customary fee associated with the service preformed." (AR 45.) The Plan Administrator's denial was based on a finding that the charge was not eligible under Exhibit B-1. (AR 13.) The Plan Administrator clearly referred to the P I Agreement and explained that the unbundled charge was not listed as being covered and therefore was not covered under the policy.
Magistrate Judge Taylor focused on the discrepancies in the reasons for denial, without explanation of what, if any, new evidence or information was used to change that decision. Defendant objected to the Magistrate Judge's reliance on this difference of reasoning and would have the Court rely on a single statement in the letter by the Plan Administrator to find the decisions were consistent: "Based on my review of the information available to me, I do not find any apparent errors in Aetna's processing of your claims." (AR 13.) Defendant asks the Court to ignore the text of the entire letter and focus on that sentence to find conformity of the reasoning. However, that conclusion statement is not read in a vacuum and is not sufficient evidence to ignore a two page letter that clearly stated that "these charges were . . . for services not eligible for reimbursement under the P I Agreement . . . the apparent issue is that the non-network provider your selected has `unbundled' the charges." (AR 12.) That the Plan Administrator never indicated there was a difference in reasoning does not mean that there was no difference.
Defendant also argues that the Plan Administrator sent another letter on the same day regarding different claims that discussed the reasonable and customary standards and that discussion "logically applies to both" letters and was "overlooked by Judge Taylor." (Obj. 4 n. 3.) There is nothing in the two letters to indicate that the language and discussion in the reasonable and customary letter would apply to both; in fact, that letter specifically states the Plan Administrator "will address the issues related to the Aetna Explanation of Benefits (EOB) . . . in a separate letter." (AR 9.) The discussion of reasonable and customary related to different charges, under the United Health Care plan, not Aetna, and was specifically handled separately by the Plan Administrator. The decision and discussion for one does not apply to the other. The clarity of the reasonable and customary letter, and the lack of any language referencing the discussion in the letter at issue in this case, illustrates the two claims were denied for two separate reasons.
In the Administrative Record, there are clear examples of claims being denied as not being reasonable customary and the determinations are based on some clear factors. See e.g., AR 4 (in addressing how the reasonable customary provisions apply for a different claim the Plan Administrator responds, "United Healthcare processed your claim using the CPT-4 (Current Procedural Terminology) code supplied by your physician's office for the services you received along with the zip code for your physician's location"); AR 9 (Plan Administrator repeats this calculation process for the same claims four months later). There is no such discussion in the letter denying the claims at issue. Also, in the letter referencing the claims before this Court, references to the P I Agreement do not cite Exhibit B-1(16) the section discussing "Reasonable and Customary" charges but instead Exhibit B-1(2) (Expenses Eligible for Benefits) and B-1(3) (Exclusions and Ineligible Expenses). (AR 13.) There is no language suggesting the Plan Administrator was basing its denial on the same reasoning as Aetna or the claims discussed in the other letter. The fourth factor under Booth also provides a strong basis for finding the decision to deny coverage was not reasonable. The charges for venipuncture had been covered in the past under the P I Agreement. Defendant argues that the past practices should not be considered since the earlier EOBs which approve the treatment were not before the Plan Administrator when making the determination. This argument ignores the reference to the United Healthcare EOB dated July 30, 2002, in the Plan Administrator's letter and the continuing discussion of the changes to coverage under Aetna as opposed to United Healthcare. (AR 12-13.) Plaintiff had been covered for this same procedure before and even though the EOBs may not have been in the Administrative Record the Plan Administrator stated the July 2002 EOB was reviewed. (AR 12.) The past approval of the charges can be considered by this Court even without the EOB in the file, since the past practice was obviously addressed by the Plan Administrator. The Plan Administrator provided nothing to support the change in the determination of coverage, except a vague discussion that the Holzer Clinic is no longer in network, and therefore M G Polymers and Aetna have no basis to influence the billing practices, and require them to bundle the expenses. (AR 13.)
The letter sent the same day approving the denial on the basis of "reasonable and customary" does cite the appropriate section in Exhibit B-1. (AR 9-11.)
The P I Agreement states that 90% of eligible charges from a Select Provider will be paid whereas 85% of charges from a non-select provider will be covered. (AR 20.) The discussion of in network verses out of network would apply to whether they would cover 85% or 90% of the charges. No language appears that the approval of procedures is dependant on whether the provider is in network or out of network. In fact the language at issue states that the "diagnostic laboratory tests will be eligible for reimbursement wherever performed when authorized by a doctor licensed to practice medicine." (AR 25.) There is language limiting the Employer's contracting with insurance companies, and requiring that no contract "shall alter, amend or detract from the provisions of this Agreement." (AR 51.)
The past practice of approving the procedure would preclude the statement by the Plan Administrator that venipuncture is ineligible since it is not listed under the catch all provision, which "provides that any service or supply not covered in the plan is excluded." (AR 13.) It was the same plan that governed the approval of the charges before Aetna took the plan and implemented its overriding policy to not cover venipuncture charges. This denial by Aetna was not based on a policy in the P I Agreement, rather it was based on Aetna's internal policy that had been in effect before it became Defendant's provider. (AR 18.) Aetna, in 2000, adopted a national policy of denying coverage "[w]hen a laboratory/pathology service requiring venipuncture is billed with a venipuncture procedure, the charge for the venipuncture is considered incidental to the laboratory and/or pathology service." Id. The Plan Administrator's determination that this is not covered under the language of the P I Agreement, although it had been previously covered, is not reasonable when it has been shown that Aetna denied the claim because that is its policy, not the Plan's.
While it is true the Plan Administrator has discretion to determine coverage, it must be done in relation to the governing agreement, and based on more than a scintilla of evidence. The evidence here shows the Plan Administrator did not deny coverage on the same basis as Aetna, and the determination was based on entirely different reasoning, without any explanation or differing evidence. The decision by the Plan Administrator is not a result of "a deliberate, principled reasoning process and . . . supported by substantial evidence." Bernstein, 70 F.3d at 788. The decision is not reasonable.
II. Remand to the Plan Administrator:
Defendant next argues that if the Plan Administrator's decision is found to be unreasonable, the case should be remanded to the Plan Administrator for further proceedings. Relying on the ERISA preference that claims be resolved though the plan's review procedures, and the courts' precedent regarding the exhaustion doctrine, Defendant argues for the remand. The Fourth Circuit has determined two instances where remand is not necessary: first, where the evidence clearly shows the administrator abused its discretion and, second, when the substance of the review was full and fair even though it did not comply with all of ERISA's procedural rules. Weaver v. Phoenix Home Life Mut. Ins. Co., 990 F.2d 154, 159 (4th Cir. 1993); Ellis v. Metropolitan Life Ins. Co., 126 F.3d 228, 238 (4th Cir. 1997).
Defendant misconstrues Magistrate Judge Taylor's decision, as finding there was insufficient evidence to support the findings rather than a failure to review any evidence or provide a consistent explanation of the denial. The cases cited by Defendant illustrate determinations that are far more complex and where substantial evidence related to the determination was discovered through litigation. See e.g., Bernstein, 70 F.3d at 790 (noting that during discovery "much relevant additional evidence has been developed" and the court remanded the case for the Plan Administrator to review the additional evidence); Sheppard Enoch Pratt Hosp. v. Travelers Ins. Co., 32 F.3d 120, 125 (4th Cir. 1994) (quoting Berry v. Ciba-Geigy Corp., 761 F.2d 1003, 1008 (4th Cir. 1985)) (explaining that a case should be remanded "[i]f the court believes the administrator lacked adequate evidence"). Remand is not the default determination nor required by ERISA, and the Fourth Circuit has repeated that "remand should be used sparingly." Berry, 761 F.2d at 1008; Elliott, 190 F.3d at 609. This determination by the Court is not that there was insufficient evidence in the record to support the determination, rather, there was insufficient reasoning to justify the different determinations by the two review processes without any reference to the change or any showing of new evidence reviewed. Given the language and past practices of the Plan, there is no basis for denial of the claim and remand is unwarranted.
Defendant next argues that the failure of the Plan Administrator to provide a reasoned explanation of the denial is a procedural flaw and should therefore be remanded for further review. This argument does not have merit. The Court finds that the Plan Administrator acted unreasonably when it denied the claims and remand is not necessary for that finding.
Conclusion
For the aforementioned reasons, the Court ADOPTS Magistrate Judge Taylor's findings and recommendation. Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment is DENIED and Plaintiff's Motion for Summary Judgment is GRANTED. The case is DISMISSED. The Court DIRECTS the Clerk to send a copy of this Order to counsel of record and any unrepresented parties.
FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATION
TAYLOR, United States Magistrate Judge.
When Samuel J. Juniper, a retiree covered under defendant's Pension, Insurance, and Service Award Agreement ("P I Agreement"), was denied coverage of venipuncture charges for drawing his blood made in conjunction with diagnostic laboratory tests he filed a complaint in magistrate court in Mason County. In his complaint, brought against M G Polymers USA, LLC ("M G"), he seeks damages in the amount of forty dollars plus costs, the amount he was charged for the venipunctures. The action was removed to this Court by defendant on grounds that plaintiff was seeking to recover benefits from an employer-sponsored welfare benefit plan and that his claims were governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA"), 29 U.S.C. § 1001, et seq., and is now pending before the Court on defendant's motion for summary judgment and plaintiff's renewed motion for summary judgment. The facts, which are not in material dispute, are as follows:
In December of 2002 and February of 2003, charges for diagnostic laboratory tests ordered by a physician at Holzer Clinic included various amounts for each "lab test" and a single charge for "venipuncture." Thus, there were charges for five lab tests on December 3, 2002, and a thirteen dollar charge for venipuncture, a charge for a lab test on December 12, 2002, and a thirteen dollar charge for venipuncture, and a charge for three lab tests on February 4, 2003, and a fourteen dollar charge for venipuncture. The Holzer Clinic bills were submitted to Aetna U.S. Healthcare ("Aetna"), the insurance company hired by M G to service medical claims under the P I Agreement. Eighty-five percent of the charges for diagnostic lab tests were paid; however, no payments were made for the three venipuncture charges. In an "Explanation of Benefits" which Aetna sent to plaintiff, it was explained that the plan "provides benefits for covered expenses at the prevailing charge level, as determined by Aetna, made for service in the geographical area where it is provided" and that "in determining the amount of a charge that is covered [Aetna] may consider other factors including the prevailing charge in other areas." Thereafter, plaintiff sought review of the denial from Kimm A. Korber, the Plan Administrator at M G. Mr. Korber determined that the venipuncture charges were for services that were "not eligible for reimbursement under the P I Agreement." Stating in his decision that the "non-network provider," Holzer Clinic, had "`unbundled' the charges for certain diagnostic testing," submitting "a separate charge for drawing blood necessary to perform the diagnostic tests" and a "separate CPT-4 code for venipuncture," the plan administrator concluded that the separate venipuncture service, which did "not constitute a diagnostic laboratory test," was not covered under the provision for diagnostic laboratory tests or any other provisions of the plan. Thereafter, plaintiff filed suit against M G in magistrate court.
Under the plan, eighty-five percent of eligible charges, exclusive of deductibles, are payable. In the case of a "select provider," — a healthcare provider entering into an agreement with M G providing for "extremely favorable pricing" — ninety percent of eligible charges are covered. Holzer Clinic was not a "select provider."
The plan provided that "[e]ligible expenses will only include charges for services . . . which are reasonably necessary for the care and treatment of the illness and will not include charges for any services . . . in excess of customary charges therefor. . . ." A "customary charge" is the "usual charge made by the person, group or other entity rendering or furnishing the services" but does not "mean a charge in excess of the general level of charges made by others rendering or furnishing such services . . . within the area. . . ."
The P I Agreement provides, inter alia, that "[a]ll interpretations, determinations, and decisions of the Plan Administrator" with respect to claims made under the agreement "will be in its sole and exclusive discretion and will be deemed final and conclusive." The applicable standard of review of decisions of the plan administrator is, as a consequence of this language, an abuse of discretion standard, and the Court "will not disturb such a [discretionary] decision if it is reasonable." Booth v.Wal-Mart Stores, Incorporated Associates Health and Welfare Plan, 201 F.3d 335, 342 (4th Cir. 2000). Though defendant's plan provides that decisions of the administrator are "within its sole discretion" and are "deemed final and conclusive," the abuse of discretion standard is nevertheless applicable and, if not reasonable, the administrator's decision will be reversed. Id. at 343. Numerous factors have been considered by the courts in determining whether a fiduciary's or a plan administrator's exercise of discretion is reasonable. In Booth v. Wal-Mart,supra at 342-43, the Court suggested consideration of the following nonexclusive factors:
(1) the language of the plan; (2) the purposes and goals of the plan; (3) the adequacy of the materials considered to make the decision and the degree to which they support it; (4) whether the fiduciary's interpretation was consistent with other provisions in the plan and with earlier interpretations of the plan; (5) whether the decisionmaking process was reasoned and principled; (6) whether the decision was consistent with the procedural and substantive requirements of ERISA; (7) any external standard relevant to the exercise of discretion; and (8) the fiduciary's motives and any conflict of interest it may have.
Those appealing denial of claims were, however, advised that, if the claim was denied, they "may be able to file suit in a state or federal court."
While not entirely clear from the record, it appears that Aetna services the plan and is not the insurer. Though M G is apparently both the plan administrator and "financially responsible for benefits payable under the plan," that fact does not give rise to a conflict of interest which would require a less deferential standard of review. See, Colucci v. AGFA Corporation Severance Pay Plan, 431 F.3d 170, 179 (4th Cir. 2005).
Because the Court believes that the evidence before it on the summary judgment motion establishes without dispute that the decision to deny benefits was, in fact, arbitrary, was not supported by evidence, was inconsistent with earlier interpretations of the plan, and was not reasoned or principled, it can only conclude that the decision denying coverage was unreasonable and that plaintiff is entitled to judgment.
As an initial matter, it is significant to note that the explanation given for denying benefits by Aetna and that given by the plan administrator differed. The Explanation of Benefits provided by Aetna advised plaintiff that the venipuncture charges were not paid because the plan provided benefits "at the prevailing charge level, as determined by Aetna, made for the service in the geographical area where it is provided," and that "[i]n determining the amount of a charge that is covered [Aetna could] consider other factors. . . ." Clearly, this denial was based on Aetna's view that the procedure was "in excess of customary charges," a basis under the plan for denying or reducing amounts paid on a claim. When, however, plaintiff's appeal was considered by the plan administrator — who could "not find any apparent errors in Aetna's processing" of the claim, the denial of benefits was upheld on an entirely different basis, i.e., that a "separate venipuncture service does not constitute a diagnostic laboratory test" and therefore it was not a covered expense under the P I Agreement. In fact, as defendant has pointed out in its memorandum, the decision by Aetna to deny payment for venipuncture apparently stems from a "procedure for determining when venipuncture services are reimbursable," a "procedure" adopted by Aetna long before it was retained by defendant to service the P I Agreement. This "procedure" applied to "[a]ll Aetna Health coverage," meaning, presumably, coverage under Aetna's policies, and obviously, because of the date of its adoption, was not based on any language in the P I Agreement. Both the plan administrator in his decision and defendant in its memorandum seem to attach importance to the fact that the provider "unbundled" the charges, submitting a separate charge for drawing blood. In prior billings in which coverage for drawing blood was provided, however, the charges were, similarly, "unbundled" and the charge for "venipuncture" given the "CPT Code" 36415, a code which Aetna's "Procedure" states now requires denial. No rational basis is apparent for separating the procedure for drawing blood from the diagnostic laboratory tests for which the blood was drawn, and defendant has offered none beyond the conclusory statement, echoing the plan administrator's statement, that the separate venipuncture service does not constitute a diagnostic laboratory test. It is all part and parcel of the same service, and, clearly, diagnostic lab tests such as those performed here require blood to be drawn. Indeed, in his denial of plaintiff's appeal the plan administrator describes "a separate charge for drawing bloodnecessary to perform the diagnostic tests" (emphasis added). Exclusion of venipuncture from coverage for diagnostic lab tests would, in the Court's view, only be reasonable if the P I Agreement specifically excluded that procedure. It is certainly conceivable that separate charges for venipuncture might be questioned on grounds of reasonableness of the charge or whether it was reasonable and customary for healthcare providers to bill in this manner; however, there is no evidence in the record concerning billing practices or customary charges and the plan administrator did not deny the claim on the basis that the charges were in any way different from or in excess of customary charges. Finally, the evidence indicates that the charge for venipunctures performed in conjunction with diagnostic lab tests had historically been covered under the P I Agreement, and that, as a consequence, the plan administrator's interpretation in this instance was not consistent with earlier interpretations. Defendant has asserted that plaintiff's position with respect to prior interpretations is simply that M G must pay the charges because "such amounts were always paid from the Plan and neither M G nor its insurance carrier, nor anyone else has any authority to change the status quo in any way." Defendant points out that "`usual fees charged by providers,'" "`the prevailing range of fees'" and "`unusual circumstances'" will change over time and that "what constitutes `reasonable and customary fees' is not a static concept and is likewise subject to change." Of course, plaintiff has not argued that M G must pay the charges because they were always paid and that no one can change the status quo. He simply points out that coverage of diagnostic laboratory tests, including venipuncture, has been provided in the past under the terms of the plan and those terms have not, insofar as the evidence shows, been changed or modified. As for changes in "usual fees," "prevailing range of fees" or "unusual circumstances," it need only be noted, as previously pointed out, that there is no evidence in the record that "reasonable and customary" fees charged by the provider or by others required an adjustment or that the plan administrator relied upon such in affirming the denial of benefits under the plan. The evidence in the record before the Court shows that plaintiff's claims were denied initially on the basis of a policy adopted by Aetna long before it began servicing claims under defendant's P I Agreement, that the plan administrator, though purportedly finding "no apparent errors in Aetna's processing" of plaintiff's claims, affirmed its decision on a different basis, that the administrator's decision was neither well reasoned nor well supported and that the denial of coverage ignored prior interpretations finding coverage for identical claims based on language in the P I Agreement which had not, insofar as the evidence shows, been altered or amended.
In this regard, the Court would note that there is no evidence in the record indicating that the customary manner of billing for diagnostic laboratory tests differed from that of the provider, nor is there evidence indicating that the charges submitted were greater than those customarily made by the provider or by others furnishing the same services.
RECOMMENDATION
Believing that the evidence in this case establishes that the denial of coverage was unreasonable and, as a consequence, constituted an abuse of discretion by the plan administrator, it is RESPECTFULLY RECOMMENDED that defendants' motion for summary judgment be denied, that plaintiff's renewed motion for summary judgment be granted and that judgment be entered in favor of the plaintiff.
Plaintiff and defendant are hereby notified that a copy of these Findings and Recommendation will be submitted to the Honorable Robert C. Chambers, United States District Judge, and that, in accordance with the provisions of Rule 72(b), Fed.R.Civ.P., the parties may, within thirteen days of the date of filing these Findings and Recommendation, serve and file written objections with the Clerk of this Court, identifying the portions of the Findings and Recommendation to which objection is made and the basis for such objection. The judge will make a de novo determination of those portions of the Findings and Recommendation to which objection is made in accordance with the provisions of 28 U.S.C. § 636(b) and the parties are advised that failure to file timely objections will result in a waiver of their right to appeal from a judgment of the district court based on such Findings and Recommendation. Copies of objections shall be served on all parties with copies of the same to Judge Chambers and this Magistrate Judge.
The Clerk is directed to file these Findings and Recommendation and to transmit a copy of the same to plaintiff and all counsel of record.