Facts

Plaintiff Sanjiv Goel, M.D. Inc. is a medical practice owned and operated by Dr. Sanjiv Goel. Dr. Goel is an interventional cardiologist with hospital privileges at Los Robles Hospital and Medical Center. Defendant Regal Medical Group Inc. is an independent physician association located in Northridge and is responsible for coordinating the care of certain health plan members.

Dr. Goel treated four of defendant's members who presented at the Los Robles Hospital emergency room.

Plaintiff filed this action against defendant alleging breach of California Health and Safety Code Section 1371.4, quantum meruit, and violation of California Business and Professions Code Section 17200. Prior to trial, plaintiff dismissed all claims with the exception of quantum meruit.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
Plaintiff claimed that defendant's payments with respect to the four patient claims did not reflect the reasonable value for the services rendered. Plaintiff claimed that it was owed $275,184 in additional payment for the medical services he provided to defendant's members. Plaintiff claimed that the amount he charged reflected the reasonable value for the services he rendered.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS:
Defendant contended that plaintiff's charges were highly inflated and that defendant's payments reflected the actual value of plaintiff's services.

Settlement Discussions

Prior to trial, defendant had issued a CCP 998 offer to compromise, which plaintiff rejected. The parties also had participated in a private mediation with Vigo Boserup of JAMS.

Result

The court found in favor of the defense.

Other Information

FILING DATE: April 18, 2014.