Capri Med., P.C. v Auto One Ins. Co.

[*1] Capri Med., P.C. v Auto One Ins. Co. 2006 NY Slip Op 52413(U) [14 Misc 3d 1205(A)] Decided on December 6, 2006 Civil Court Of The City Of New York, Kings County Bluth, J. Published by New York State Law Reporting Bureau pursuant to Judiciary Law § 431. This opinion is uncorrected and will not be published in the printed Official Reports.

Decided on December 6, 2006
Civil Court of the City of New York, Kings County

Capri Medical, P.C. a/a/o Nail Abusov, Plaintiff,

against

Auto One Insurance Company, Defendant.



24656/05

Arlene P. Bluth, J.

Upon the foregoing cited papers and after argument, plaintiff moves for summary judgment pursuant to CPLR § 3212. For the following reasons, plaintiff's motion is granted.

In this action, plaintiff Capri Medical, P.C. seeks to recover first-party No-Fault benefits in the amount of $4,204.33 and statutory interest, costs, and attorneys' fees for medical services it allegedly rendered to its assignor, Nail Abusov. In its moving papers, plaintiff submits following five bills which are the subject are this lawsuit: $1,593.37 (for date of service 4/9/03); $1,566.40 (for date of service 3/26/03); $302.17 (for date of service 3/19/03); $302.17 (for date of service 4/2/03); and $440.22 (for date of service 4/24/03). Plaintiff also submits the affidavit of its billing manager, Yelena Medvedik, who asserts that she personally mailed out the subject bills to defendant and [*2]that defendant issued "unreasonable and untimely denials" in response thereto.

The Court finds that plaintiff has established a prima facie entitlement to summary judgment as a matter of law by submitting proof in admissible form that the prescribed statutory claim forms, setting forth the facts and amounts of the losses sustained, were submitted to defendant, and that payment of no-fault benefits is overdue. See NYCRR § 65-3.8(c); D.A.V. Chiropractic, P.C. v Amer. Transit Ins. Co., 7 Misc 3d 133(A) [App Term, 2d and 11th Jud Dists 2005]; Triboro Chiropractic and Acupuncture P.L.L.C. ex rel. Tacopino v. Electric Ins. Co., 2 Misc 3d 135(A) [App Term, 2d & 11th Jud Dists 2004]. The burden now shifts to defendant to raise a triable issue of fact.

In opposition to this motion, defendant Auto One Insurance Company contends that it timely denied plaintiff's claims on the ground of lack of medical necessity. However, defendant's opposition fails to establish by competent evidence that it timely mailed the denials in question. "Proof of proper mailing requires evidence of actual mailing or. . .a standard office practice or procedure designed to ensure that items are properly addressed and mailed.'" See Comprehensive Mental v. Lumbermans Mut. Ins. Co., 4 Misc 3d 133(A) [App Term, 9th & 10th Jud Dists 2004]. The affidavit of Travis Miller is deficient in several respects. First, Mr. Miller states that he is "currently employed as Line Unit Supervisor," but he does not explain what that means or what his job entails. Second, while he states that he has worked for defendant since August 2002, he does not state in what capacity he was employed prior to becoming Line Unit Supervisor.

As for his attempt to establish that defendant timely mailed the denials of the subject claims, he does not state that he personally mailed the denials, nor does he make clear how he knows that the denials in this case were timely mailed. Mr. Miller also does not establish that it is his duty to ensure compliance with defendant's mailing procedures. See Boai Zhong Yi Acupuncture Servs., P.C. v New York Cent. Mut. Fire Ins. Co., 12 Misc 3d 135(A), 820 NYS2d 841 [App Term, 2d &11th Jud Dists 2006]; Contemp. Med. Diag. & Treatment, P.C. v. GEICO, 6 Misc 3d 137(A), 800 NYS2d 344 [App Term, 2nd & 11th Jud Dists 2005]. He "merely state[s] that the claims were timely denied without asserting personal knowledge of the mailing or setting forth sufficient facts to create a presumption of mailing."Prestige Med. & Surg. Supply, Inc. v Clarendon Natl. Ins. Co., 13 Misc 3d 127(A) [App Term, 2d &11th Jud Dists 2006]. Fair Price Med. Supply Corp. v Liberty Mut. Ins. Co., 12 Misc 3d 145(A) [App Term, 2d &11th Jud Dists 2006]. The Court further notes that Mr. Miller's affidavit fails to make any reference to the $302.17 bill for date of service March 19, 2003.

Defendant also submits the affidavit of its Mailroom Supervisor, Jay Santiago, who describes defendant's procedures for mail collection first by mailroom personnel from bins throughout the office, and then by the United States Postal Service. However, in the absence of competent proof that defendant timely generated denials of the subject bills and deposited them for pickup, Mr. Santiago's affidavit is unavailing. Therefore, defendant has failed to meet its burden, and plaintiff is entitled to summary judgment.

Accordingly, plaintiff's motion is granted, and plaintiff is awarded judgment in the amount of $4,204.33 plus statutory interest, costs, and attorneys' fees.

This is the Decision and Order of the Court.

Dated:

ARLENE P. BLUTH

Judge, Civil Court

ASN by______ on _______