Michigan Court of Appeals; Docket No. 77-2281; Published
Judges Cavanagh, Bronson, and Walsh; Unanimous; Per Curiam
Official Michigan Reporter Citation: 84 Mich App 589; Link to Opinion
STATUTORY INDEXING:
Coordination with Other Health and Accident Medical Insurance [§3109a]
TOPICAL INDEXING:
Legislative Purpose and Intent
CASE SUMMARY:
In a short per curiam decision which is somewhat difficult to decipher, the Court considered the issue "whether Blue Cross/Blue Shield benefits may be coordinated with personal injury insurance benefits under Michigan's no-fault act, " and in response thereto stated "we hold that insurers must offer a coordination of these benefits."
The Court observed that the legislative history of §3109a of the no-fault statute demonstrated that a coordination of Blue Cross/Blue Shield benefits with PIP benefits was a primary concern during the drafting of the no-fault statute and that the plain purpose of §3109a was to reduce premiums by eliminating duplicate coverage. The Court also noted that documents which were issued by the insurance commission supported the Court's conclusion with regard to this coordination scheme and that interpretations from this agency should be given particular weight in such matters.