Franzese v. United Health Care/Oxford
Plaintiffs Robert and Elizabeth Franzese, parents and legal guardians of disabled adult Robert Franzese Jr. ("Bobby"), sued United Health Care/Oxford under ERISA to recover medical benefits. Bobby, suffering from chronic lung disease, requires 24/7 in-home nursing care. Oxford denied preauthorization for private duty nursing, citing it as an exclusion, and denied home health care services. The court granted Oxford's summary judgment motion regarding private duty nursing and Xopenex preauthorization, finding private duty nursing not covered. However, the court denied Oxford's motion regarding home health care services, deeming Oxford's denial arbitrary and capricious due to lack of substantial evidence. The case is remanded to Oxford for reconsideration of home health care benefits.