Opinion ID: 780622
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: introduction

Text: Plaintiff/Appellant, Vencor, Inc., d/b/a Vencor Kentucky, Inc., d/b/a Vencor Hospital-Louisville and d/b/a Vencor Hospital-Chattanooga (Vencor), appeals two orders of the District Court for the Western District of Kentucky granting summary judgment to Defendant/Appellee Standard Life and Accident Insurance Company (Standard Life) in this breach of contract/promissory estoppel action. Specifically, Vencor seeks to recover the balances it claims it is owed by Standard Life for hospital services provided to two patients, Mac Weaks and Mildred Hollow. Both Mr. Weaks and Mrs. Hollow were covered by Medicare supplement (Medigap) insurance policies issued by Standard Life. At issue in this appeal is the amount Standard Life was required to pay Vencor for Mr. Weaks's and Mrs. Hollow's medical care after their Medicare Part A benefits were exhausted. Vencor claims that, under the terms of the insurance policies, after Mr. Weaks's and Mrs. Hollow's Medicare Part A benefits were exhausted, Standard Life was required to pay Vencor its standard rates. Standard Life, on the other hand, contends that it is obligated to pay Vencor only the per diem rates allowed by Medicare, even after Medicare coverage has been exhausted. The District Court agreed with Standard Life and, accordingly, entered summary judgment in its favor on both the breach of contract and promissory estoppel claims. Vencor timely appealed. For the reasons set forth below, we affirm the judgment of the District Court.