Insurer Appeals Ruling that Arbitrator Should Decide Arbitrability of Medical Reinsurance Dispute

DETROIT — An insurer has appealed a Michigan federal judge’s dismissal of a $1 million action involving a medical excess reinsurance agreement in favor of arbitration, arguing he erred in ruling that an arbitrator should decide whether the dispute is arbitrable.

In a Jan. 10 brief filed before the 6th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, Alliance Health and Life Insurance Co. (AHL) argues the reinsurance agreement contains an “unambiguous provision limiting the arbitration clause” and “does not contain a clear and unmistakable indication that [the parties] intended to submit the issues of arbitrability to an arbitration.”

AHL further argues the …