NOVA ACUPUNCTURE v. ESURANCE (2022)

ORDERED that the judgment is reversed, with $30 costs, and the matter is remitted to the Civil Court for the entry of a judgment in favor of plaintiff in the principal sum of $3,092.13, following a calculation of statutory no-fault interest and an assessment of attorney's fees.

At the commencement of a nonjury trial in this action by a provider to recover assigned first-party no-fault benefits, the parties stipulated that plaintiff had established its prima facie case and that defendant had timely denied the claims at issue. The parties agreed that the only issue for trial was the application of the workers’ compensation fee schedule. After the trial court marked as exhibits the denial of claim forms, defendant stated that it did not have a witness to testify regarding the fee schedule and that, pursuant to this court's decision in Great Wall Acupuncture, P.C. v Geico Ins. Co. (26 Misc 3d 23 [App Term, 2d Dept, 2d, 11th & 13th Jud Dists 2009]), a witness was unnecessary. After oral argument, the Civil Court granted judgment to defendant dismissing the complaint.

While the parties’ appellate briefs dispute whether, in light of Global Liberty Ins. Co. of NY v Acupuncture Now, P.C. (178 AD3d 512 [2019]), defendant was permitted to pay plaintiff's claims for acupuncture services performed by an acupuncturist using the workers’ compensation fee schedule for chiropractors (see Great Wall Acupuncture, P.C. v Geico Ins. Co., 26 Misc 3d 23 [2009] [App Term, 2d Dept, 2d, 11th & 13th Jud Dists 2009]), we need not reach that issue as, in any event, defendant, at trial, failed to sustain its burden of proof. Even, if, as defendant contends, it was entitled to pay plaintiff's claims using the workers’ compensation fee schedule for chiropractors, defendant failed to demonstrate that it had properly utilized the codes set forth within that workers’ compensation fee schedule to calculate the amount which plaintiff was entitled to recover for each service rendered (see Acupuncture Healthcare Plaza I, P.C. v Metlife Auto & Home, 54 Misc 3d 142[A], 2017 NY Slip Op 50207[U] [App Term, 2d Dept, 2d, 11th & 13th Jud Dists 2017]).

Accordingly, the judgment is reversed and the matter is remitted to the Civil Court for the entry of a judgment in favor of plaintiff in the principal sum of $3,092.13, following a calculation of statutory no-fault interest and an assessment of attorney's fees.

ALIOTTA, P.J., TOUSSAINT and GOLIA, JJ., concur.