Can you find an attorney that specializes in claim suits against MVP
insurance?

If there are several attorney's please comment on applicability to
breast cancer and/or out of state suits.

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Request for Question Clarification by expertlaw-ga on 31 Oct 2002 07:17 PST

Dear waterfront,

I believe the delay in obtaining an answer to your question arises
from two issues. First, there are law firms who have practice areas
which include health care insurance claim denials, but I am not aware
of any which specialize in claims against a specific carrier. Second,
it is not possible to tell from your question if you will need a
Massachusetts lawyer or a New York lawyer - a number of factors could
affect where this lawsuit would be filed.

If you are looking for a list of law firms which practice in the area
of health claims denials, with offices in either or both New York and
Massachusetts, along with some indication of their qualification, a
researcher should be able to provide that information. However, as it
is presently phrased, I am not sure that your question is answerable.

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Clarification of Question by waterfront-ga on 31 Oct 2002 09:05 PST

Dear expertlaw,

I believe that the lawfirm would most likely have to be in New York
because both the patient and insurance company reside there?  Medical
treatment received by the patient, as a second opinion, was in
Massachusetts and paid for by MVP.  The appropriate steps were taken,
the patient's physician in NY state sent a referral to MVP and MVP in
return approved the second opinion to take place in Massachusetts. 
The patient chose to receive the necessary treatments from the 2nd
opinion physician.  Follow-up treatments that took place were in the
state of Massachusetts, of which these treatments have been declined
by MVP, which resides in NY state.

Perhaps a list of attorney's specializing in health claim denials
would be helpful.  If it could be narrowed down to those that have
dealt with MVP in the past, that would be great.  And even more...if
they have dealt with breast cancer related suits, that would be even
better.

Hi,

This lawyer has recent experience litigating against MVP.

M. Christina Ricarte
New York

1251 Avenue of the Americas 
New York, NY 10020 
(212) 278-1796 
Fax: (212) 278-1733 
Ms. Ricarte has extensive litigation experience in the areas of
insurance coverage, health care, insurance company insolvency and
accounting malpractice in both federal and state courts. Ms. Ricarte's
health care practice includes representing policyholders wrongfully
denied health care benefits; recent cases include Packevicz v. Mohawk
Valley Medical Associates, Inc. and MVP Health Plan and Crescenzo v.
WellCare of New York, Inc."
http://www.andersonkill.com/Bios/RicarteM.asp 

There was a finding against the HMO in March of 2001
MVP HEALTH PLAN AGREES TO PAY $33,800 FOR PROMPT PAY VIOLATIONS
http://www.ins.state.ny.us/p0103281.htm
that doesn't list any attoneys, but does let you know that the plan
has a history - you're not the only one!

There are several other resources that I can check, but it would help
to know the area of New York that you are in. Should I be checking law
firms in the New York City area, around Albany, Buffalo or the
Rochester area. Might as well look for someone local for you...

bcguide-ga

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Clarification of Answer by bcguide-ga on 02 Nov 2002 07:36 PST

Hi,

Two things...

First, make sure to give me just a general location - I don't want
your personal information broadcast on the Internet :-)

and second...

the search terms I used were: MVP Health Plan litigation

bcguide-ga

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Request for Answer Clarification by waterfront-ga on 02 Nov 2002 13:04 PST

Dear bcguide,

Your information is very helpful!  The location is the Albany area. 
Any suggestions?

waterfront

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Clarification of Answer by bcguide-ga on 08 Nov 2002 08:14 PST

Hi,

Searching the net for Albany area lawyers involved with MVP keeps
leading to people who are associated with the HMO. I called the law
firm in New York and they siad they would prefer to discuss this with
you directly. They do have an email contact on the site.

Send them an inquiry about anyone they know in the Albany area who
might be able to do a good job with your case.

Good luck and good health!

bcguide-ga

Please clarify the following:
 
(1)  Are you referring to the "MVP Health Insurance Co." that is
headquartered in Schnectady, New York, "MVP Insurance Benefits Group"
in Indianapolis, or some other entity?

(2)  When you refer to "claims suits," do you mean litigation against
MVP involving the denial of health insurance claims (especially
relating to breast cancer)?

(3)  When you refer to "out of state suits," to which states are you
referring?  Without knowing the state in which you reside, I can't
determine which suits are "out of state" to you.

Sorry for the delay, I've had tech troubles on my end.  To clarify:
(1) Yes, it is MVP Health Ins. in Schenectady NY, (2) Yes, I do mean
litigation against denial of health insurance claims (especially
breast cancer), (3) State of Residence is NY, state of medical
services is MA.