AIKEN, Chief Judge:
Defendant and counter-claimant Lucile Slater Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford moves for partial summary judgment, pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 56, on plaintiff's claim for declaratory judgment and on its eighth counterclaim.
Plaintiff DCIPA, LLC filed a cross-motion for summary judgment on its claim for declaratory judgment and on all of defendant's affirmative defenses and counterclaims. For the reasons set forth below, defendant's motion for partial summary judgement is denied and plaintiff's motion for summary judgment is granted.
Plaintiff is an Oregon Medicaid managed care health plan. Defendant is a California hospital. On June 20, 2009, a 13-year-old member of plaintiff's health plan was transferred to defendant's hospital for an urgent liver transplant evaluation due to suspected liver failure. Plaintiff and defendant did not have a provider agreement or other contract in place for the payment of services at the time of the transfer.
On June 21, 2009, the patient was placed at top priority status on the United Network of Organ Sharing wait list. On June 22, 2009, the transplant was authorized, on a form provided by plaintiff, which stated "BY ACCEPTING THIS PRIOR AUTHORIZATION, YOU AGREE TO ACCEPT DMAP [Division of Medical Assistance Program] RATES FOR SERVICES RENDERED" (capitals in original). On that same day, defendant contacted plaintiff in an attempt to negotiate a contract for services, suggesting that plaintiff would pay sixty-percent of the total billed charges. Plaintiff declined this offer.
On June 23 and 24, 2009, defendant performed a successful liver transplant on the patient. On June 25, 2009, plaintiff formally responded, via letter from its outside counsel, to defendant's rate proposal. The letter explained that plaintiff was required, by its contract with DMAP and by the Oregon Administrative Rules, to pay at 80% of the Medicare rate in accordance with OAR 410-120-1295. Plaintiff attached a copy of its contract with DMAP to the letter and offered to enter into a formal contract for services with payment set at 80% of the Medicare rate. Defendant did not respond to this letter.
The patient remained at the hospital for post-surgery related services until July 3, 2009. Defendant continued to treat the patient for four months after the transplant, performing a number of inpatient and outpatient services. Plaintiff authorized each one of these services before they were performed, using the same form that stated "BY ACCEPTING THIS PRIOR AUTHORIZATION, YOU AGREE TO ACCEPT DMAP RATES FOR SERVICES RENDERED" (capitals in original). Other than the authorization form, no further communications were exchanged regarding the payment rate for the services provided. The total billed charges for the transplant and related services provided by defendant equaled $1,469,649.91.
Throughout the course of treatment, defendant sent bills to plaintiff regarding these services. For each bill received,
On May 27, 2010, plaintiff filed this action, seeking a declaratory judgment that it had fulfilled its financial obligation to defendant by paying $236,699.92, which represents 80% of the Medicare rate, for the disputed services. On April 5, 2011, defendant filed an amended answer, alleging six affirmative defenses and eight counterclaims. Defendant requested, as damages, that plaintiff pay the "reasonable value" of the billed charges. The parties subsequently moved for summary judgment.
Summary judgment is appropriate "if the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law." Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(a). Substantive law on an issue determines the materiality of a fact. T.W. Electrical Serv., Inc. v. Pacific Electrical Contractors Assoc., 809 F.2d 626, 630 (9th Cir.1987). Whether the evidence is such that a reasonable jury could return a verdict for the nonmoving party determines the authenticity of a dispute. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986).
The moving party has the burden of establishing the absence of a genuine issue of material fact. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 323, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986). If the moving party shows the absence of a genuine issue of material fact, the nonmoving party must go beyond the pleadings and identify facts which show a genuine issue for trial. Id. at 324, 106 S.Ct. 2548.
Special rules of construction apply when evaluating summary judgment motion: (1) all reasonable doubts as to the existence of genuine issues of material fact should be resolved against the moving party; and (2) all inferences to be drawn from the underlying facts must be viewed in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party. T.W. Electrical, 809 F.2d at 630.
The parties move for summary judgment on the application and interpretation of certain provisions of Chapter 410 of the Oregon Administrative rules, including OAR 410-120-1295, among other issues. It is undisputed that the interpretation of Chapter 410 of the Oregon Administrative Rules and the provisions therein are questions of law, to be interpreted by this Court.
To support their cross-motions for summary judgment, the parties request that this Court take judicial notice of certain documents and regulations. Plaintiff seeks judicial notice of: a report, entitled "Impact of Rogers Amendment on Contracts between Participating Health Plans and Hospital and the Affect on MediCal Managed Care Enrollees," by the California Medicaid authority, dated October 1, 2009; and an unpublished California Superior Court case, Molina Healthcare of CA Partner Plan v. Shewry, Case No. 34-2008-8000111 (April 3, 2009), which interprets 42 U.S.C. §§ 1396u-2.
Defendant requests judicial notice of: OAR §§ 410-120-0000, 410-120-1295, and 410-124-0000 through 410-124-0160 as they existed in 2009; current versions of Or.Rev.Stat. § 414.743 and OAR 410-120-1295; 42 U.S.C. § 1396u-2, 1395dd; Oregon's
Judicial notice may be taken at any stage in the proceedings. Fed.R.Evid. 201(f). A judicially noticed fact "must be one not subject to reasonable dispute in that it is either (1) generally known within the territorial jurisdiction of the trial court or (2) capable of accurate and ready determination by resort to sources whose accuracy cannot reasonably be questioned." Fed.R.Evid. 201(b). However, taking judicial notice of certain documents does not demonstrate the truth of everything contained in those records, and, as such, the truthfulness and proper interpretation of the document are disputable. See Ohio Bell Telephone Co. v. Public Utilities Commission, 301 U.S. 292, 300-1, 57 S.Ct. 724, 81 L.Ed. 1093 (1937).
The relevant facts in this case are largely undisputed. Further, most of the documents that the parties seek judicial notice of are statutes, administrative rules, or case law, which are already part of the public record, and are therefore capable of accurate and ready determination by resort to sources whose accuracy cannot reasonably be questioned. I find that the additional documents introduced by both plaintiff and defendant, despite the parties' respective objections, are also not subject to reasonable dispute. Accordingly, the parties' requests for judicial notice are granted.
Before analyzing the merits of the parties' cross-motions for partial summary judgment, this Court reviews the relevant medical and legal background.
The Medicaid program, established by Title XIX of the Social Security Act, is a cooperative effort by the federal government and the states to provide medical care to persons "whose income and resources are insufficient to meet the costs of necessary medical services." Atkins v. Rivera, 477 U.S. 154, 156-7, 106 S.Ct. 2456, 91 L.Ed.2d 131 (1986) (citing to 42 U.S.C. §§ 1396 et seq.). The federal government shares the costs of Medicaid with states that voluntarily elect to participate in the program and, in return, participating states comply with the requirements of the Medicaid Act. Id.; see 42 U.S.C. § 1396; see also Alaska Dept. of Health and Social Servs. v. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Servs., 424 F.3d 931, 935 (9th Cir.2005).
Each state administers its own Medicaid program through a single state agency, pursuant to a state Medicaid plan which must be reviewed and approved by the
Oregon's Medicaid program is known as the Oregon Health Plan ("OHP") and is primarily regulated by Chapter 410 of the Oregon Administrative Rules. The OHP is administered by DMAP, Oregon's state agency. Because the OHP was designed to stretch the limited Medicaid funds to provide as much care to as many people as possible, the Legislative Assembly gave DMAP great flexibility in setting the rates and amounts it would pay providers. See Or.Rev.Stat. § 414.065(1). Consistent with this policy, DMAP has generally paid very low rates to providers. The OHP Medicaid rates are usually expressed as a percentage of the Medicare rate for the relevant services.
The OHP has two primary plans: Fee-For-Service ("FFS") plans and Fully Capitated Health Plans ("FCHP"). The state assigns people eligible for benefits under the OHP to either plan. Under a FFS plan, beneficiaries are served directly by DMAP, through DMAP-approved "enrolled providers." A provider becomes "enrolled" in a FFS plan by contractually agreeing to all of the conditions of the program; as such, enrolled providers are required to know and follow all DMAP regulations. See OAR 410-120-1160(1). The enrolled provider bills DMAP directly and DMAP pays the providers according to a published fee schedule. See OAR 410-120-1340. Thus, as the name suggests, providers enrolled in the FFS program are paid a set fee by DMAP for each service provided.
Under a FCHP, beneficiaries are served by managed care plans. Like FFS systems, FCHP systems contract with the state, through DMAP, to provide healthcare services. DMAP contracts require that FCHPs comply with the applicable laws and Oregon Administrative Rules ("OAR") when dealing with providers. The FCHP, however, does not directly bill DMAP for services; rather, the state pays each FCHP an actuarially determined amount per member each month. FCHPs are a subset of the broader segment of Prepaid Health Plans ("PHPs").
Under DMAP contracts and the OARs, FCHPs are required to enter into formal "provider agreements" with sufficient primary care and other providers, including at least one hospital, to ensure that all members have reasonable access to medical care. The providers who enter into provider agreements directly with the FCHP are called "participating providers." FCHPs try to refer members exclusively to participating providers. However, members occasionally require care from providers that have not entered into provider agreements. These providers are referred as "non-participating providers."
Plaintiff is a Medicaid managed health care plan under the OHP. It has a contract with DMAP for the provision of services under the FCHP program. Plaintiff's FCHP is owned and operated by most of the physicians in Douglas County and provides care to nearly 16,000 low income people. Because the parties did not have a provider agreement in place at the time services were rendered, defendant qualifies as a "non-participating provider" under the regulations.
In addition, defendant has a contract with DMAP for the provision of pediatric transplant services under the FFS program, and, as such, also qualifies as an enrolled provider. See LPCH-DMAP
Oregon tightly regulates payments under its Medicaid plan through statute and administrative rule. The payment rate is determined by a number of factors, including the type of services provided (transplant, emergency, etc.), the type of plan involved (FFS or FCHP), the entity providing services (rural provider, hospital., etc.), and whether the provider is designated as "participating" or "non-participating."
It is undisputed that at least some of the services provided by defendant, including the transplant itself, constitute "emergency" services. See OAR 410-124-0040(1) (defining "emergency transplant" as "one in which medical appropriateness requires that a covered transplant be performed less than five days after determination of the need for a transplant"). It is also undisputed that defendant was qualified under the regulations to provide such transplant services. See OAR 410-124-0040(1). The regulations are not explicit regarding which payment rate governs where, as here, both the transplant and non-participating hospital provisions are implicated.
Or.Rev.Stat. § 414.065, as implemented through OAR 410-124-0000 and OAR 410-124-0040, governs payment for qualifying emergency and non-emergency transplant services. See Or.Rev.Stat. § 414.065.
Under OAR 410-124-0000, which governs general transplant services, reimbursement by a FCHP for covered transplant services and follow-up care "will be by agreement between the FCHP and the transplant center." OAR 410-124-0000(9)(c). Under OAR 410-124-0040, which governs emergency transplant services, "FCHPs will make payment as described in their contract." OAR 410-124-0040(2).
Or.Rev.Stat. § 414.743, as implemented through OAR 410-120-1295, governs payments by a FCHP to non-participating provider hospitals. See Or.Rev.Stat. § 414.743(1); see also OAR 410-141-0420(6)(D) ("The PHP shall be responsible for payment to non-participating providers... [in] the amount specified in OAR 410-120-1295"). OAR 410-120-1295 specifies the reimbursement rate, and reads in relevant part and time:
OAR 410-120-1295(3)(b).
42 U.S.C. § 1396u-2(b)(2)(D).
While not binding on defendant, plaintiff's contract with DMAP requires it to pay non-participating providers in accordance with OAR 410-120-1295: "[i]f a Non-Participating Provider is, or becomes enrolled with DMAP, reimbursement of the Non-Participating Provider is governed by DMAP General Rules (Division 120) [of OAR Chapter 410]" and "[i]f the Emergency Services Provider does not have a contract with [plaintiff], [plaintiff] shall pay the Non-Participating Provider pursuant to the Non-Participating Provider rule, 410-120-1295." DCIPA-DMAP Contract, at pgs. 16 & 26.
Plaintiff contends that the parties entered into a number of implied contracts for the services provided. Plaintiff argues that by performing services pursuant to its authorization form, which stated "BY ACCEPTING THIS PRIOR AUTHORIZATION, YOU AGREE TO ACCEPT DMAP RATES FOR SERVICES RENDERED," defendant agreed to accept the rates set forth in plaintiff's contract with DMAP. Plaintiff's DMAP contract specifies that payment to non-participating providers for services administered to members of plaintiff's FCHP, even if the non-participating provider is otherwise enrolled with DMAP, must be in accordance with OAR 410-120-1295. See DCIPA-DMAP Contract, at pgs. 16 & 26. Thus, plaintiff argues that defendant impliedly agreed to accept payment in accordance with OAR 410-120-1295.
Plaintiff interprets OAR 410-120-1295 as requiring payment at 80% of the Medicare rate for all services provided. To the extent that 42 U.S.C. § 1396u-2(b)(2)(D) is implicated, plaintiff asserts that it establishes a ceiling, not a minimum, on the amount of payment to a non-participating hospital. In the alternative, plaintiff asserts that if the parties did not enter into a series of implied contracts, Or.Rev.Stat. § 414.743, as implemented through OAR 410-120-1295, would still govern this matter, in which case defendant would be entitled to payment at 80% of the Medicare rate.
Defendant disagrees that OAR 410-124-0000(9)(c) and OAR 410-124-0040(2) govern this dispute, and that plaintiff violated these provisions by refusing to negotiate a contract in good faith. Defendant, however, contends that if the Court concludes that OAR 410-120-1295 does apply, it requires plaintiff to pay for services at the much higher FFS rate established in defendant's contract with DMAP. Defendant's argument that plaintiff must pay more than 80% of the Medicare rates for "emergency services" is premised solely on the OAR 410-120-1295's reference to 42 U.S.C. § 1396u-2(b)(2)(D).
Moreover, even if OAR 410-120-1295 is held to apply and is interpreted in plaintiff's favor, defendant asserts that, regardless, it is entitled to additional compensation because 1) the 80% of the Medicare rate "was never approved by the federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services to be part of the State Plan and therefore cannot be implemented; 2) to the extent the Oregon statute and regulation are not attempting to establish `Medicaid rates,' they govern only payments to Oregon hospitals and not defendant ...; and 3) since the contract between the Oregon
Thus, the threshold issue is whether the parties formed a valid contract for payment at "DMAP rates" and if so, what that term entails. Because plaintiff's "DMAP rates" are calculated in accordance with OAR 410-120-1295, if the Court finds that a contract was formed, it must then determine whether defendant is required to accept 80% of the Medicare rate for the services provided; or, conversely, if plaintiff is required to pay the amount defendant could receive if the beneficiary was covered by defendant's FFS contract with DMAP. Finally, if OAR 410-120-1295 is interpreted in plaintiff's favor, the Court must ascertain whether 80% of the Medicare rate is otherwise inapplicable to defendant.
The Court must first determine whether the parties entered into a contract for the payment of services. Plaintiff contends that defendant's conduct, including obtaining plaintiff's authorization form, filling in the parties' names and other material terms, faxing it to plaintiff for signature, and then actually performing transplant services after receiving plaintiff's signature, evidences the existence of an implied contract for plaintiff's "DMAP rates."
Moreover, plaintiff argues that, after defendant received the letter from plaintiff's counsel sent on June 25, 2009, any potential ambiguity regarding the term "DMAP rates" was resolved. Plaintiff asserts that the letter explained that plaintiff's contract with DMAP required it to pay non-participating hospitals in accordance with OAR 410-120-1295, which plaintiff interpreted as requiring payment at 80% of the Medicare rate. Because defendant continued to provide services for the next three months after the ambiguity was resolved, using the same authorization form without objection, plaintiff argues that at least these later contracts bound defendant to accept plaintiff's "DMAP rates."
Defendant's response to plaintiff's assertion of an implied contract for "DMAP rates" is notable. Defendant does not dispute the circumstances surrounding the authorization of the transplant and related services. Rather, defendant contends that it interpreted the term "DMAP rates" to signify the rate set out in its own FFS contract with DMAP. Because the parties each attached a different meaning to the term "DMAP rates," defendant argues that no contract was formed since "there was no meeting of the minds with respect to the key term of the applicable payment rate." Def.'s Reply to Mot. Part. Summ. J. 1. At the same time, however, defendant asserts that the parties did, in fact, have an implied contract and that the terms of that contract require plaintiff to pay either the "reasonable value" for the services provided or the FFS rate set in its contract with DMAP. See Def.'s Am. Answer, Affirm. Defenses & Countercls. 11; Def.'s Response to Plf.'s Mot. Summ. J. 1.
In support of its argument that no contract exists, defendant relies on Phillips, in which the Oregon Supreme Court stated, "before there can be a valid contract there must be a meeting of the minds to all its terms; that nothing can be left for future negotiation, and that if any portion of the contract is not agreed upon, or if no method is agreed upon which such a term or provision can be settled, there is no contract." Phillips v. Johnson, 266 Or. 544, 555, 514 P.2d 1337 (1973).
Defendant contends that there can be no contract, express or implied, where there in no "meeting of the minds." The term "meeting of the minds" is "`a much abused metaphor,'" and requires only that there be mutual assent to the terms of the agreement. State v. Heisser, 350 Or. 12, 24, 249 P.3d 113 (2011) (citing Bennett v. Farmers Ins. Co., 332 Or. 138, 148, 26 P.3d 785 (2001) (noting that mutual assent "historically was considered as the `meeting of the minds' requirement")). Thus, an enforceable contract does not necessarily require a "meeting of the minds," as long as the parties' intent to enter into a contract can be shown through words or conduct. Id. (citing to Corbin on Contracts § 4.13, at 636).
In Kitzke, the Oregon Supreme Court expressly rejected defendant's position that the term "meeting of the minds" required "each of the two parties ... to have in mind the same idea and intent before the jury could find that they effected a contract." Kitzke v. Turnidge, 209 Or. 563, 572-73, 307 P.2d 522 (1957). Rather, the court held that "[t]he law of contracts is not concerned with the parties' undisclosed intents and ideas. It gives heed only to their communications and overt acts." Id. at 573, 307 P.2d 522. Thus, whether the parties entered "into a contract does not depend on their uncommunicated subjective understanding; rather, it depends on whether the parties manifest assent to the same express terms." Newton/Boldt v. Newton, 192 Or.App. 386, 392, 86 P.3d 49 (2004) (internal citation omitted); see also Kitzke, 209 Or. at 572-73, 307 P.2d 522 ("`[a]greement consists of mutual expressions; it does not consist of harmonious intentions or states of mind.'" (quoting Corbin on Contracts § 19)).
Here, the parties' communications and overt actions clearly manifested an objective intent that defendant would provide the relevant services and plaintiff would pay for them at "DMAP rates." Thus, the fact that the parties' may have subjectively attributed different meanings to the term "DMAP rates" is immaterial in regard to whether an enforceable contract was formed. See Heisser, 350 Or. at 25, 249 P.3d 113. Because the parties' expressed mutual assent through conduct, an enforceable contract was formed.
Further, defendant's reliance on Phillips is misplaced. Phillips involved a land sale contract, wherein the agreement did not provide whether the sale was to be consummated by deed, note and mortgage, or by land sale contract. Phillips, 266 Or. at 555, 514 P.2d 1337. Phillips held that the indefiniteness rendered the agreement unenforceable. Id. at 557, 514 P.2d 1337. Thus, Phillips involved an express contract
Whether a contract is ambiguous is a question of law. Yogman v. Parrott, 325 Or. 358, 361, 937 P.2d 1019 (1997). A contract provision is ambiguous if, when examined in the context of the contract as a whole and the circumstances of contract formation, it is capable of more than one plausible and reasonable interpretation. Batzer Constr., Inc. v. Boyer, 204 Or.App. 309, 313, 129 P.3d 773, rev. den., 341 Or. 366, 143 P.3d 239 (2006). Generally, disposition of a contract dispute as a matter of law is not appropriate unless the meaning of the disputed provisions "is so clear as to preclude doubt by a reasonable person." Deerfield Commodities v. Nerco, Inc., 72 Or.App. 305, 317, 696 P.2d 1096, rev. den., 299 Or. 314, 702 P.2d 1111 (1985).
Plaintiff argues that the term "DMAP rates" is unambiguous and can only refer to the rates contained in plaintiff's contract with DMAP. Defendant asserts that it "was led to believe the phrase ["DMAP rates"] in [plaintiff's] authorization forms referred to [defendant's] rates with DMAP since [it] had a contract with DMAP." Turnbow Decl., Ex. 6; Def.'s Resp. to Renumbered Interrog. No. 41. While the "threshold to show ambiguity is not high," I find the term "DMAP rates" is unambiguous and can only be reasonably interpreted to refer to plaintiff's DMAP rates. Milne v. Milne Constr. Co., 207 Or.App. 382, 388, 142 P.3d 475, rev. den., 342 Or. 253, 149 P.3d 1212 (2006). The interpretation of the phrase proffered by defendant is unreasonable and implausible for at least three reasons.
First, the plain language of the authorization form itself makes clear that the term "DMAP rates" references plaintiff's DMAP rates. Plaintiff's form states that "BY ACCEPTING THIS PRIOR AUTHORIZATION, YOU AGREE TO ACCEPT DMAP RATES FOR SERVICES RENDERED" (capitals in original). This is a standard form used with all providers, regardless of whether the party providing the services also has a contract with DMAP. Given this practice and the plain language of the form, it would be illogical for the phrase "DMAP rates" to apply to anything other those rates contained in plaintiff's contract with DMAP.
Second, and more importantly, plaintiff did not know, and could not have known, the rate specified in defendant's FFS contract with DMAP, especially since that rate is not publicly available. As such, its inconceivable that plaintiff would have drafted its authorization form, long before this dispute, to incorporate by reference some secret rate contained in defendant's contract with DMAP.
Third, defendant continued to provide transplant related services pursuant to plaintiff's authorization form, without objection or any attempt to further negotiate a contract for the payment of services, even after plaintiff's counsel explained that "DMAP rates" meant payment of 80% of the Medicare rate, in accordance with OAR 410-120-1295. This fact, in and of itself, does not bear directly on the issue of the proper interpretation of the term "DMAP rates." However, it does establish,
Thus, while defendant advocates an alternative interpretation of the phrase "DMAP rates," this interpretation is not objectively reasonable or plausible in light of the terms of the authorization form or the circumstances surrounding the formation of the contract as discussed above. See Batzer Constr., 204 Or.App. at 313, 129 P.3d 773.
Finally, while not explicitly plead as a defense, defendant suggests that, even if a contract was formed, the employees who solicited and accepted the authorizations did not have actual authority to bind defendant, and thus, defendant is not required to accept "DMAP rates." See Milligan Decl., Ex. 5, Def.'s Resp. to Plf.'s Mot. Summ. J. Regardless of any defects in pleading, this defense must be rejected because those employees at least had apparent authority to bind defendant. See Taylor v. Ramsay-Gerding Constr. Co., 345 Or. 403, 410, 196 P.3d 532 (2008) (principal may be bound to a third-party for an act of an agent completely outside the agent's implied or express authority if the principal permits the agent to appear to have the authority to bind the principal).
Accordingly, I find that, as a matter of law, the parties formed implied contracts for the payment of services rendered at the rate set out in plaintiff's contract with DMAP. However, because plaintiff's contract with DMAP does not explicitly state the rate of payment, but rather incorporates the rates by reference to OAR 410-120-1295, it must still be determined what rate of payment OAR 410-120-1295 requires for the provision of emergency services.
When construing a statute, the court first looks at the plain language of the statute, including text and context, which offer the best evidence of the legislature's intent. In re Marriage of Polacek, 349 Or. 278, 284, 243 P.3d 1190 (2010) (citing State v. Gaines, 346 Or. 160, 171, 206 P.3d 1042 (2009)): see also Rodriguez v. Holder Jr., 619 F.3d 1077, 1079 (9th Cir.2010). When the statute's language is plain, "the sole function of the courts — at least where the disposition required by the text is not absurd — is to enforce it according to its terms." Lamie v. U.S. Trustee, 540 U.S. 526, 534, 124 S.Ct. 1023, 157 L.Ed.2d 1024 (2004) (internal quotation marks omitted); see also Bergerson v. Salem-Keizer School Dist., 341 Or. 401, 413, 144 P.3d 918 (2006).
I find no case law or legislative history discussing or interpreting Or.Rev. Stat. § 414.743, OAR 410-120-1295, or 42 U.S.C. § 1396u-2(b)(2)(D). Regardless, while the administrative rule at issue may be poorly drafted, its plain language is clear. The rule explicitly applies to all "covered services provided on and after January 1, 2008," including both emergency and non-emergency services. Under the parties' implied contract for "DMAP rates," non-emergency inpatient and outpatient services are to be reimbursed at "80 percent of the Medicare rate." OAR 410-120-1295(30(b). In addition to the above requirement, the reimbursement for emergency services "must be consistent with 42 U.S.C. § 1396u-2(b)(2)(D)." Id.
Accordingly, under the express language of the regulation, payment for emergency services at 80% of the Medicare rate is appropriate as long as such payment is "consistent" with 42 U.S.C. § 1396u-2(b)(2)(D). The word "consistent" is defined as "being in agreement" or "conforming
Thus, OAR 410-120-1295(3)(b) requires plaintiff to pay 80% of the applicable Medicare rate for the services in dispute, unless the federal statute imposes a different, higher rate. Section 1396u-2(b)(2)(D), however, does not impose such a requirement. In fact, 42 U.S.C. § 1396u-2(b)(2)(D) does not even dictate what a FCHP must pay to a non-participating hospital; rather, the plain language of the federal statute makes clear that it was only intended to act as a limit on what a hospital may demand as payment. See 42 U.S.C. § 1396u-2(b)(2)(D) ("provider ... must accept as payment in full no more than the amounts ... that it could collect if the beneficiary received medical assistance... other than through enrollment in [a FCHP]" (emphasis added)).
Interpreting 42 U.S.C. § 1396u-2(b)(2)(D) in any other way would be antithetical to the plain language of the administrative rule and federal statute, and thus, incompatible with the legislative intent. Lamie, 540 U.S. at 534, 124 S.Ct. 1023. Indeed, defendant's interpretation of 42 U.S.C. § 1396u-2(b)(2)(D) requires this Court to construe the phrase "no more than" as requiring a FCHP to pay "no less than" a hospital's much higher FFS rate. As such, the interpretation that defendant advocates is without merit. Further, defendant has failed to introduce, nor do I find any evidence that, despite the plain and unambiguous language, Congress intended the statute to be interpreted differently.
In fact, the only relevant evidence that defendant introduced regarding the interpretation of Section 1396u-2(b)(2)(D) is a letter from Dennis Smith, director of CMS. The letter states:
Letter from Dennis Smith, Director, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, to state Medicaid Directors (March 31, 2006) (emphasis added).
This letter, however, merely confirms plaintiff's interpretation of the federal statute. The letter expressly states that Section 1396u-2(b)(2)(D) "establishes a limit" on what an out-of-state non-participating hospital must accept as payment. Thus, this letter establishes that in enacting the federal statute, Congress intended to set a limit, rather than establish a minimum payment amount, leaving the exact rates that a FCHP must pay non-contracted hospitals up to the states to determine, so long as those rates did not exceed what the state pays contracted FFS providers.
Moreover, this interpretation is congruous with the public policy surrounding Medicaid. Medicaid makes it possible for certain qualified low-income individuals and families to receive health benefits that they otherwise could not afford. See Overview of Medicaid Program, CMS Website, available at https://www.cms.gov/Medicaid
Here, defendant charged plaintiff more than $50,000 per day for the initial 13 days of hospitalization. While hospital finance is a very complicated subject and administering a hospital is no doubt costly, this fee is at least a hundred times greater than the actual cost of the services provided. See Turnbow Decl., Ex. 7, Plf.'s Resp. to Def.'s Mot. Part. Summ. J. Under defendant's interpretation, plaintiff would be required to pay 60% of these charges, or approximately $700,000 more than it already has paid. Such payment would require plaintiff, as a Medicaid managed FCHP with limited resources, to expend a significant amount of its already inadequate funds on a relatively small amount of services. Thus, payment of 60% of the nearly $1.5 million of billed charges would work a substantial hardship on plaintiff, and would reduce the amount of coverage that plaintiff could provide to others in need, thereby contravening the public policy of providing as much care to as many people as possible.
Therefore, I find that OAR 410-120-1295 requires that a FCHP pay 80% of the Medicare rate for emergency services to a non-participating hospital, provided that such payment does not exceed the amount that the hospital could collect from DMAP if the patient received medical assistance other than through enrollment in the FCHP.
Here, plaintiff paid $236,699.92. It is undisputed that this amount equals 80% of the Medicare rate for the services provided. Further, it is undisputed that this amount is "no more than" the amount that defendant would have received through its FFS contract with DMAP. 42 U.S.C. § 1396u-2(b)(2)(D). Therefore, plaintiff's payment for emergency services was "consistent with" Section 1396u-2(b)(2)(D).
Finally, it should be noted that even if the parties had not entered into a series of implied contracts, reimbursement for the disputed services would still be governed by OAR 410-120-1295. Defendant argues that OAR 410-124-0000(9)(c) and OAR 410-124-0040(2) govern this dispute in the absence of a contract. Specifically, defendant asserts that OAR 410-124-0000(9)(c) and OAR 410-124-0040(2) are more specific provisions, and thus, under the rules of statutory interpretation, should instead apply.
As discussed in Section II(C), above, OAR 410-124-0000(9)(c) and OAR 410-124-0040(2) govern payment for transplant services, whereas OAR 410-120-1295 governs payment between a FCHP and a non-participating hospital. The Administrative Rules do not specify which provision governs where, as here, more than two provisions could apply. The transplant rules, although arguably more specific as to the nature of the services, are more general in the sense that they apply to all assistance programs and related services. Conversely, OAR 410-120-1295, while part of the general rule section of the regulations, governs a far more specific subject matter: payments made by FCHPs to non-participating hospitals in the absence of a contract. In addition, other sections of the regulations specifically require all Medicaid plans to pay "non-participating providers" furnishing services to OHP members in accordance with OAR 410-120-1295. See OAR 410-141-0420(6)(D). As a result, defendant's contention that one provision is more specific, and thus, applicable, than another, is inconclusive at best.
Further, OAR 410-124-0000(9)(c) only requires that the parties enter into a contract for transplant services. It is silent
Rule 410-124-0040(2) is somewhat more precise in what it requires from a FCHP. The provision states that "FCHPs will make payment as described in their contract." OAR 410-124-0040(2). The term "their," however, is ambiguous, as it could refer to either the FCHP's contract with DMAP or the FCHP's contract with the transplant center. In either instance, however, the result is identical. If "their" is construed as referring to a FCHP's contract with DMAP, as plaintiff advocates, then OAR 410-120-1295 would be applicable. See DCIPA-DMAP Contract, at pgs. 16 & 26. Conversely, if "their" is interpreted as referring to a FCHP's contract with the transplant center, and the parties failed to enter into a contract, then the default payment provision would apply. In this case, OAR 410-120-1295 is the default payment provision, as it explicitly governs reimbursement by a FCHP to a non-contracting hospital. Therefore, regardless of whether a contract was formed, the outcome would be the same, and defendant would be entitled to payment at 80% of the Medicare rate.
Finally, defendant asserts that it is still not subject to 80% of the Medicare rate for one or more of the following reasons: 1) the rate was never approved by CMS to be part of the State Plan; 2) imposing the rate on defendant violates the Commerce Clause; and 3) defendant is not a party to the contract between DMAP and plaintiff, and thus, its terms cannot bind defendant. See Def.'s Reply to Mot. Part. Summ. J. 1-2.
Regarding defendant's first argument, if CMS approval was necessary, the statute and rules must be challenged before CMS, and may not be collaterally attacked. See Pharmaceutical Research and Mfrs. of America v. Walsh, 538 U.S. 644, 651, 123 S.Ct. 1855, 155 L.Ed.2d 889 (2003) (challenges to a state Medicaid program, not approved by CMS, could not be heard by the District Court because an administrative proceeding was the exclusive remedy available for a lack of approval under the Social Security Act). More importantly, defendant has not presented enough evidence to overcome the presumption that all laws were appropriately enacted. Id. (citing to Davies Warehouse Co. v. Bowles, 321 U.S. 144, 153, 64 S.Ct. 474, 88 L.Ed. 635 (1944) ("[s]tate statutes ... are entitled to the presumption of constitutionality until their invalidity is judicially declared")). Instead, defendant merely speculates that the rate "does not appear to have been approved by CMS, and is thus arguably not valid at all." Def.'s Reply to Mot. Part. Summ. J. 10. Such an allegation, alone, is not sufficient to render the rate in question invalid, and, as such, defendant's first argument fails as a matter of law.
Defendant next contends that the rates present in OAR 410-120-1295 violate the Dormant Commerce Clause when applied to an out-of-state provider. This argument also fails as a matter of law. Where, as here, the parties enter into a private agreement for the payment of services at a certain rate, no constitutional Dormant Commerce Clause issues are raised. Raymond Motor Transp., Inc. v. Rice, 434 U.S. 429, 440-1, 98 S.Ct. 787, 54 L.Ed.2d 664 (1978) (state action is required in order to implicate the Dormant
Further, even if the parties had not formed a contract, it would be inappropriate on this record to decide whether the application of OAR 410-120-1295 to defendant would violate the Dormant Commerce Clause. Defendant did not raise this issue in its partial motion for summary judgment nor was any evidence offered thereon. Rather, defendant first asserted this argument in its reply to plaintiff's cross-motion for summary judgment and devoted a cursory four sentences to the issue. See Def.'s Reply to Mot. Part. Summ. J. 11. Plaintiff similarly did not brief the issue: "[n]ormally, we would not try to make a stir-reply argument in writing ... [and] although we are not briefing [this] argument, we oppose [it]." Plf.'s Corrected Reply to Mot. Summ. J. 33. Accordingly, the record here is insufficient to determine whether the argument has any validity.
Regardless, because this Court has previously found that the parties did have a contract, the absence of briefing on the issue does not create a genuine issue of material fact that forecloses summary judgment. It should, however, be noted that the Dormant Commerce Clause requires only that state laws not discriminate against out-of-state commerce. H.P. Hood & Sons, Inc. v. Du Mond, 336 U.S. 525, 531-532, 69 S.Ct. 657, 93 L.Ed. 865 (1949). Thus, OAR 410-120-1295 is presumably valid as applied to defendant so long as the regulation applies equally to in-state and out-of-state providers. Id. (state legislation that is designed to serve legitimate state interests and applied without discrimination against interstate commerce does not violate the Commerce Clause even though it affects commerce).
Finally, defendant's third assertion fails. At no point during this dispute has either party alleged that defendant is bound by plaintiff's contract with DMAP. Rather, as discussed in detail in Section III(A), above, the parties entered into a series of independent contracts, wherein the payment for services was determined by reference to the rates present in plaintiff's contract with DMAP. However, this is in no way equivalent to defendant being a third-party beneficiary to the contract between plaintiff and DMAP.
Accordingly, this Court grants plaintiff's motion for summary judgment in regard to its declaratory judgment claim, and denies defendant's motion for partial summary judgment, Therefore, as a matter of law, plaintiff has fulfilled its financial obligation to defendant by paying $236,699.92, representing 80% of the Medicare rate, for the services in dispute.
Plaintiff also moves for summary judgment on all of defendant's affirmative defenses and counterclaims.
Defendant alleges the following affirmative defenses: 1) failure to state a cause of action; 2) failure to state a cause of action for declaratory relief; 3) relief barred by the allegations of the counterclaim; 4) failure to do equity, 5) unclean hands; and 6) reservation of additional defenses. See
Defendant's first and second affirmative defenses relate to plaintiff's alleged failure to state a claim. Defendant's third affirmative defense states that plaintiff is not entitled to the declaration it seeks because defendant is entitled to more money under its counterclaims. Defendant's first, second, and third affirmative defense are dismissed, since, as a matter of law, this Court finds that plaintiff properly stated a claim for, and is entitled to, a declaratory judgment.
Additionally, defendant's fourth and fifth affirmative defenses fail as a matter of law. Both defenses are equitable in nature and based upon plaintiff's alleged obligation to negotiate in good faith with defendant to reach an agreement regarding the reimbursement rate. Essentially, defendant is arguing that plaintiff cannot obtain declaratory relief because it refused defendant's demands to settle this dispute by agreeing to pay some rate greater than what the Court found the parties agreed to and what the law requires. However, because defendant was only entitled to 80% of the Medicare rate, plaintiff did not violate any obligation by refusing to pay more than that rate.
Finally, defendant's sixth affirmative defense, in which it purports to reserve the right to assert additional affirmative defenses, is dismissed. Defendant's "reservation" has no basis in law. Therefore, plaintiff's motion for partial summary judgment is granted in regard to defendant's affirmative defenses.
Defendant also asserts the following counterclaims: 1) declaratory relief; 2) breach of implied-in-law contract/quantum meruit; 3) breach of implied-in-fact contract; 4) equitable estoppel; 5) open book account; 6) account stated; 7) private right of action for violation of OAR 410-124-0000(9)(c) and OAR 410-124-0040(1), (2); and 8) private right of action for violation of OAR 410-120-1295. See Def.'s Am. Answer, Affirm. Defenses & Countercls. 9-17. All of defendant's counterclaims are based upon plaintiff's choice to pay in accordance with the parties' implied contract and to follow OAR 410-120-1295, rather than to negotiate payment for a larger amount for the disputed services.
Defendant's first counterclaim seeks a declaratory judgment that plaintiff is obligated to pay the "reasonable value" of its services because plaintiff failed to negotiate in good faith a contract or agreement for the payment of services. However, as discussed in Section III(A), above, the parties successfully formed a contract for the payment of services. Further, plaintiff provided compensation to defendant in accordance with the parties' contract and governing law. Thus, plaintiff cannot now be required to pay more simply because, after this dispute arose, plaintiff refused to enter into a different agreement to pay defendant a greater amount.
Defendant's second counterclaim again seeks the "reasonable value" of its services under the theory of quantum meruit. Defendant relies in two cases from outside of this district in support of its claim. See Temple Univ. Hosp., Inc. v. Healthcare Mgmt. Alts., Inc., 832 A.2d 501 (Penn.Sup. 2003); River Park Hosp., Inc. v. BlueCross BlueShield of Tenn., Inc., 173 S.W.3d 43 (Tenn.App.2002).
Defendant's second claim, however, also fails as a matter of law. Quantum meruit is an obligation created by law without regard to the intention of the parties in situations in which one person is accountable to another on the grounds that
As discussed in Section III(A), above, the parties had an implied contract in place for the payment of services. Therefore, a claim for unjust enrichment cannot lie and the terms of the contract govern any dispute regarding payment. Ken Hood Constr, 203 Or.App. at 772, 126 P.3d 1254. As such, the cases relied on by defendant, both involving situations in which no express or implied agreement existed, are not applicable here. See Temple Univ. Hosp., 832 A.2d 501; River Park Hosp., 173 S.W.3d 43.
Moreover, defendant acknowledges that the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act ("EMTALA") requires it to provide emergency services without regard to payment. See Def.'s Resp. to Plf.'s Mot. Summ. J. 24. As such, defendant would have had to provide the transplant whether it received 100% of its billed charges, 80% of the Medicare rate, or nothing at all. Thus, it is curious that, after having been paid a substantial sum in accordance with the parties' contract and the applicable regulations, defendant now contends that this amount is unreasonable and, as such, it is entitled to greater compensation. Regardless, I find, as a matter of law, that payment of an amount required by both contract and law cannot be inequitable, and, as such, cannot support a claim for unjust enrichment. As such, defendant's second counterclaim is dismissed.
Defendant's third counterclaim alleges that the plaintiff entered into an implied-in-fact agreement to pay the "reasonable value" of the services in dispute. Defendant bases its claim on the allegations that it is "custom and practice in the healthcare industry" for FCHPs to pay the "reasonable value" of services, plaintiff knew of this custom when it authorized transplant and related services, and plaintiff breached this implied contract by paying less than an undisclosed "reasonable" rate. See Def.'s Am. Answer, Affirm. Defenses & Countercls. 11-12.
However, defendant's claim contravenes the law and facts in this case. As discussed above, the parties did enter into implied contracts for the provision of services. Contrary to defendant's assertions, these contracts dictated that payment equal "DMAP rates" and not the "reasonable value" of the services provided. Moreover, independent of this Court's findings in Section III(A), defendant has failed to introduce evidence of any communications or conduct establishing an agreement for the "reasonable value" of services, or that payment at such a rate is, in fact, the standard "custom and practice in the healthcare industry." Consequently, defendant's counterclaim for breach of implied-in-fact contract for the "reasonable
Defendant's fourth counterclaim is for equitable estoppel. The doctrine of equitable estoppel provides that "a person may be precluded by his act or conduct, or silence when it was his duty to speak, from asserting a right which he otherwise would have had." Lydian Wealth Mgmt. Co., LLC v. Jacob, 2007 WL 4964427, at *9 (D.Or.2007) (quoting Marshall v. Wilson, 175 Or. 506, 518, 154 P.2d 547 (1944)).
Equitable estoppel is not a cause of action, entitling a party to money damages; rather, it is a defense. Marshall, 175 Or. at 514, 154 P.2d 547 ("estoppel is not a cause of action"). In Oregon, there are five elements that must be satisfied for the doctrine to apply: (1) a false representation; (2) made with knowledge of the facts; (3) the other party must have been ignorant of the truth; (4) made with the intention that it should be acted upon by the other party; (5) the other party must have been induced to act upon it. Day v. Advanced M & D Sales, Inc., 336 Or. 511, 519, 86 P.3d 678 (2004).
Here, defendant has failed to allege a prima facie case for equitable estoppel. Defendant alleges that plaintiff knew that it was required to pay the "reasonable value" of the services provided, yet only ever intended to pay 80% of the Medicare rate, and failed to disclose this fact to defendant. Yet defendant acknowledges that in plaintiff's June 25, 2009 letter, plaintiff stated "that it would pay at the 80 percent of the Medicare rate." Def.'s Memo, in Support of Mot. Part. Summ. J. 9-10. Further, this Court has determined that 80% of the Medicare rate is the proper reimbursement for the disputed services. Thus, defendant's contentions that plaintiff made a false representation that it was only required to pay for services at 80% of the Medicare rate, or failed to disclose its intention to pay at such a rate, are unfounded. As such, defendant failed to allege all the elements of its claim.
Moreover, even if defendant could establish a misrepresentation, it could not establish detrimental reliance or that such reliance was reasonable. See Day, 336 Or. at 519, 86 P.3d 678. Defendant failed to introduce any evidence that, absent plaintiff's alleged misrepresentation, it would have taken different action entitling it to more money, especially since defendant was legally required under EMTALA to provide the transplant without regard to the payment. See Def.'s Resp. to Plf.'s Mot. Summ. J. 24. As such, defendant failed to establish a prima facie case for equitable estoppel. See Day, 336 Or. at 519, 86 P.3d 678. Defendant's fourth counterclaim fails as a matter of law and is dismissed.
Defendant's fifth counterclaim also fails as a matter of law. The basis of this claim in unclear, but seems to be that, because defendant kept an ongoing account of "billed charges" and plaintiff has failed to pay all of these charges, defendant is entitled to additional compensation for the outstanding amount on the account. As this Court has previously stated, plaintiff has fulfilled its financial obligation to defendant in accordance with the parties' contract and the relevant regulations.
Further, keeping a record of the amount one seeks in a dispute is not sufficient to state a prima facie claim. See Gardner & Beedon Co. of Springfield v. Cooke, 267 Or. 7, 9-10, 513 P.2d 758 (1973) ("in an action on an open account the account is not self-proving. Some testimony is required tending to prove its correctness and the fact that it is due and owing"); see also Northwest Country Place, Inc. v. NCS Healthcare of Or., Inc., 201 Or.App. 448, 460, 119 P.3d 272 (2005) (party
Here, defendant has not introduced any evidence that there is an amount outstanding on the parties' contract for "DMAP rates" or that the amount defendant alleged to be outstanding is "correct under the contract or otherwise reasonable" under the circumstances. Northwest, 201 Or. App. at 460, 119 P.3d 272. Therefore, as a matter of law, and despite defendant's assertions to the contrary, plaintiff cannot be "indebted [to defendant] in an amount equal to the amount set forth in the book account for transplant services," especially since this amount expressly contradicts 42 U.S.C. § 1396u-2(b)(2)(D), which limits the amount that a non-participating hospital may demand as payment to the amount set forth in its FFS contract with DMAP. Def. Am. Answer, Affirm. Defenses & Countercls. 13. As such, defendant's fifth claim is dismissed.
Additionally, defendant's sixth counterclaim is dismissed. Defendant's sixth counterclaim is analogous to its fifth. The legal basis of plaintiff's sixth counterclaim is for an "account stated." Defendant again alleges that because it kept an account of "billed charges," and plaintiff has not paid all of those charges, it is entitled to additional compensation for the outstanding amount of the account. In order to prevail on such a claim, a creditor must prove that the account debtor, by words or actions, admitted or agreed that the amount claimed by the creditor in a billing or other statement of the accounting was correct. See Hulse v. Ocwen Federal Bank, FSB, 195 F.Supp.2d 1188, 1201 (D.Or.2002) ("[i]t is necessary for a plaintiff claiming an account stated to establish an agreement to pay a particular amount of money"): see also Cooley v. Roman, 34 Or.App. 301, 305, 578 P.2d 491 (1978) (rejecting a claim for account stated because the defendant "claimed he was not liable for some of the charges upon which plaintiff was suing").
Here, since plaintiff is disputing liability for the charges upon which defendant is basing its counterclaim, and defendant has not alleged any conduct by plaintiff that could be interpreted to be an admission or agreement that the amount the defendant claimed was actually due, especially in light of the parties' implied contract for "DMAP rates," there can be no agreement fixing the amount due. Accordingly, defendant's sixth counterclaim fails as a matter of law.
Defendant's next counterclaim is a private right of action based on plaintiff's alleged violation of OAR 410-124-0000(9)(c) and OAR 410-124-0040(1), (2). As discussed above, OAR 410-124-0000(9)(c) pertains to transplant services generally, and states that reimbursement by FCHPs for transplant services "will be by agreement between the FCHP and the transplant center." OAR 410-124-0000(9)(c). Defendant alleges that because plaintiff failed to negotiate a contract in good faith, it violated OAR 410-124-0000(9)(c). Defendant also alleges that plaintiff breached its contract with DMAP by failing to provide an adequate network of providers.
Here, however, the parties did negotiate a contract for the payment of services at "DMAP rates." Therefore, in accordance with OAR 410-124-0000(9)(c), reimbursement for the provision of transplant services was "by agreement between the FCHP and the transplant center." Id. As
Further, defendant's assertions regarding plaintiff's alleged breach of its contract with DMAP are unfounded. It is undisputed that plaintiff is required to maintain an adequate panel of contracted providers, including at least one hospital. See OAR 410-141-0160(1)(d)(A) (requiring plans to maintain a "referral system") and OAR 410-141-0220 (generally describing "access" requirements). However, the fact that the state has approved plaintiff's provider panel each year is evidence of compliance with the relevant provisions. See Plf.'s Corrected Reply to Mot. Summ. J. 15. Accordingly, defendant's seventh counterclaim fails as a matter of law.
Finally, defendant's eighth counterclaim, in which it seeks redress via a private right of action for plaintiff's alleged violation of OAR 410-120-1295, is dismissed. Because this Court interprets OAR 410-120-1295 as requiring reimbursement by a FCHP to a non-participating hospital at 80% of the Medicare rate, defendant cannot, as a matter of law, sustain a claim for violation of this provision for payments made by plaintiff in express accordance with it.
Therefore, defendant's affirmative defenses and counterclaims fail as a matter of law, and as such, are dismissed.
The only remaining issues are plaintiff's claim for refunds of overpayments and attorney fees, plaintiff's combined discovery motions, and defendant's motion for protective order regarding plaintiff's requests for admissions and for sanctions.
The resolution of plaintiff's claims for refunds of overpayments and attorney fees are not directly before this Court, because defendant did not move for summary judgment on these claims. However, the Court makes a preliminary finding that there are no issues remaining for resolution in this dispute.
In addition to its motion for partial summary judgment, plaintiff filed a combined motion to compel and to answer interrogatories. I find that the majority of plaintiff's motions are now rendered moot by this Court's resolution of the parties' cross-motions for summary judgment. Further, defendant's motion for a protective order on plaintiff's second set of requests for admissions is also rendered moot for the same reason. Thus, in light of this Court's preliminary finding and the resolution of the parties' motions for summary judgment, I find that it is necessary to stay these motions, at least until after the parties have had a chance to confer regarding this Opinion.
Plaintiff's motion for summary judgment (doc. 56) is GRANTED. Defendant's motion for partial summary judgment (doc. 46) is DENIED.
Additionally, plaintiff's combined discovery motions (doc. 53) and defendant's motion for protective order regarding plaintiff's requests for admissions and for sanctions (doc. 78) are stayed until after the parties have had a chance to confer regarding this Opinion. If, after conferring, one or both parties chooses to renew a motion, it must amend and re-file or otherwise notify the Court.
Finally, the parties' requests for oral argument are DENIED as unnecessary. The Court strongly encourages the parties
IT IS SO ORDERED.
