Guardian Flight LLC et al. v. Aetna Life Insurance Company Inc. et al.

Docket No.
3:24-cv-00680
District Court
Connecticut

Goal

  • Award damages
  • Compel defendant action

Issues

Why This Matters:

Why This Matters 

Plaintiffs, air ambulance service providers, allege that two health insurers are violating state and federal law by systematically underpaying initial claims and withholding or delaying payment following resolution of the No Surprises Act’s arbitration process—a process used to resolve payment disputes for surprise out-of-network bills between payers and out-of-network health care providers. The plaintiffs argue that these practices violate the No Surprises Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, and Connecticut state law prohibiting unfair and deceptive trade practices. One of the insurers filed a counterclaim, alleging that the plaintiffs are violating Connecticut state law by manipulating the arbitration system to inflate prices and drive up profits.

Potential Impact:

Potential Impact:

Actions that flout the intent of the No Surprises Act arbitration process could lead to higher costs and lower-quality care for patients.

69 Major Filings

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Related Litigation

Current Status

Briefing is ongoing

Legal Issues

Connecticut State Law, ERISA - Denial of Benefits, No Surprises Act

Topic(s)

Arbitration Awards/Conduct No Surprises Act

Date Filed
March 3, 2023
Case Type
Civil
Court Type
District Court
Court
Connecticut
Judge
Shea, Michael P. Appointed By: Barack Obama
Plaintiff(s)
Guardian Flight LLC; REACH Air Medical Services LLC; CALSTAR Air Medical Services LLC; Air Evac EMS Inc.; Med-Trans Corporation; AirMed International LLC
Lead Counsel For Plaintiff(s)
Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP
Plaintiff Type
Health Care Provider
Defendant(s)
Aetna Life Insurance Company Inc.; Aetna Health Inc.; Aetna Health and Life Insurance Company; Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company
Lead Counsel for Defendant(s)
Hicks Thomas LLP
Defendant Type
Insurance Company