Robert L. Meinders, D.C., LTD v. Unitedhealthcare, Inc. et al

Filing 79

ORDER GRANTING IN PART AND DENYING IN PART 77 Motion. Cross-briefs due by May 18, 2016. Signed by Magistrate Judge Donald G. Wilkerson on 5/16/16. (sgp)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
DR. ROBERT L. MEINDERS, D.C., LTD,
Plaintiff,
v.
UNITEDHEALTHCARE, INC., et al.,
Defendants.

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Case No. 3:14-cv-548-DRH-DGW

ORDER
WILKERSON, Magistrate Judge:
Now pending before the Court is the Motion to Modify Briefing filed by Plaintiff on April
29, 2016 (Doc. 77). The Motion is GRANTED IN PART and DENIED IN PART.
On February 18, 2016, this Court set forth a briefing schedule that directed cross motions
for summary judgment to be filed on May 18, 2016 with responses due on June 15, 2016.
Plaintiff now seeks to modify that schedule to allow for the filing of a motion to dismiss or to
excuse Plaintiff from filing a motion for summary judgment. When this matter was remanded
from the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, the District Court was directed to permit limited
discovery in order for Plaintiff to fully respond to Defendants’ assumption theory. In particular,
Plaintiff was permitted to proceed with discovery to refute or contest the declaration of Colleen
Van Ham that supported a claim that an arbitration clause in a Provider Agreement could be
enforced against Plaintiff. In light of the presence of some factual statements that (presumably)
would be used to support a motion, this Court set a summary judgment briefing schedule. Based
on Defendants’ response to this pending motion, they have no objection to filing such a motion.
Such a motion would obviate the necessity of converting a motion to dismiss to one for summary
judgment, which would result in some delay in resolving this matter.
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However, the Court has reconsidered in light of Judge Herndon’s September 24, 2015
Order (Doc. 44). The parties are hereby DIRECTED to file briefs on the issues outlined in the
Seventh Circuit’s Mandate by May 18, 2016. Those briefs can seek whatever relief the parties
believe is appropriate (whether it be dismissal or judgment or some other relief). The parties shall
respond to the opposing briefs by June 15, 2016.
For the foregoing reasons, the Motion to Modify Briefing filed by Plaintiff on April 29,
2016 (Doc. 77) is GRANTED IN PART to the extent that the parties are directed to file briefs and
not cross-motions for summary judgment and DENIED IN PART to the extent that Plaintiff
seeks to be excused from filing a brief.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
DATED: May 16, 2016

DONALD G. WILKERSON
United States Magistrate Judge

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