Allstate to Recover Almost $1 Million in PIP Case against Dr. Sara Vizcay

In a case brought by Allstate in the Florida Middle District, the court ruled on August 1st that the Defendant’s Motion for Declaration of Mistrial was denied, the Plaintiff’s Motion for Declaratory Judgment was granted in part, and the final judgment was ordered.

Dr. Sara C. Vizcay and the seven medical clinics listed below were the Defendants in the case.

• Best Care Medical Center, Inc.
• Caleb Health Care, Inc.
• Florida Rehabilitation Practice, Inc.
• Global Diagnostic Center, Inc.
• Personal Medical Center, Inc.
• P.V.C. Medical Center, Inc.
• Regional Enterprises for Health Corporation

Fraudulent billing practices and failure to comply with the licensing requirements of the Florida Health Care Clinic Act (HCCA) formed the basis of Plaintiff allegations. In a jury trial earlier this year, the jury found that each Defendant misrepresented material facts.

The court noted that the “jury unanimously found Plaintiffs proved, by a preponderance of evidence, that Dr. Vizcay failed to substantially comply with her statutory medical director duties to systematically review bills … and to ensure those bills were not fraudulent or unlawful.”

The total amount to be recovered by Allstate is $942,883.41, and Plaintiff is not obligated to pay any unpaid amounts.

The case is Allstate v. Sara C. Vizcay, M.D. et al., U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Case No. 8:11-CV-804-EAK-EAJ. Click on the link to read the August 1, 2014 Order of Judgment.