In re the Arbitration between Astoria Medical Group & Health Insurance Plan

The respondent, Health Insurance Plan of Greater New York (hereinafter referred to as HIP), and its various physician-composed medical groups, being unable to agree on certain fee arrangements proceeded, in accordance with the terms of their contract, to institute a tripartite arbitration. As its arbitrator HIP nominated a physician who was a member of its board of directors as well as a consultant paid by it. The medical groups objected to such appointment and moved at Special Term to have such appointee disqualified. Special Term granted the motion and directed the designation of a new…