Hathaway v. Commissioner of Insurance

The plaintiffs represent subscribers to group medical insurance plans with Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Inc. (Blue Shield). They allege that the Commissioner of Insurance (Commissioner), without a hearing, ap proved certain increases in the fees to be paid to physicians and other health care providers and in the rates to be charged to group subscribers. Later the Commissioner denied the plaintiffs’ request for a hearing, and they seek judicial review and declaratory relief. A judge of the Superior Court allowed the Commissioner’s motion to dismiss the complaint, ruling that the plaintiffs…