Allstate Wants High Court To Enter 'PIP' Dispute
TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami) - Pointing to conflicting opinions in lower courts, Allstate Insurance Co. has asked the Florida Supreme Court to take up a dispute about payments for treating patients in the state's no-fault auto insurance system.
Allstate is looking to overturn an August ruling by the 4th District Court of Appeal in favor of medical providers.
The ruling, which involved 32 consolidated cases, dealt with whether policies were clear that Allstate would reimburse the providers under a fee schedule from the Medicare program. The fee schedule includes limits on payments for services.
The providers argued that the policies were "ambiguous" on the issue, and a majority of a three-judge panel of the 4th District Court of Appeal agreed.
In the brief Monday, Allstate said the August ruling conflicted with a decision by the 1st District Court of Appeal and that similar cases are pending in two other appellate courts.
The no-fault system requires motorists to carry minimum levels of personal-injury protection, or PIP, coverage to help pay medical bills after accidents.
"Given that every Florida driver must carry PIP insurance, and the vast numbers of claims processed under such coverage, this conflict (between appeals courts) creates confusion and instability in the lower courts and impacts thousands of insureds and many other citizens and businesses in Florida,'' the brief said.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.