Opinion ID: 871144
Heading Depth: 6
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Any user or operator of a moped as defined

Text: in section 249-1; (B) In the case of injury arising out of a motor vehicle accident, the insurer shall pay, without regard to fault, to a provider of services on behalf of the persons listed in item (1)(A) charges for services covered under section 431:10C-103(10)(A)(i) and (ii)[.] HRS § 431:10C-103(10)(A)(i) and (ii) related to medical and rehabilitation expenses. In 1997, HRS § 431:10C-304 was amended and the language of HRS § 431:10C-304(1)(B) was inserted in HRS § 431:10C-304(1). See 1997 Haw. Sess. Laws Act 251, § 41 at 538-39 (effective January 1, 1998). HRS § 431:10C-304 now reads, in pertinent part, as follows: Obligation to pay personal injury protection benefits. . . . Every personal injury protection insurer shall provide personal injury protection benefits for accidental harm as follows: (1) Except as otherwise provided in section 431:10C305(d), in the case of injury arising out of a motor vehicle accident, the insurer shall pay, without regard to fault, to the provider of services on behalf of the following persons who sustain accidental harm as a result of the operation, maintenance, or use of the vehicle, an amount equal to the personal injury protection benefits as defined in section 431:10C-103.5(a) payable for expenses to that person as a result of the injury: (A) Any person, including the owner, operator, occupant, or user of the insured motor vehicle; (B) Any pedestrian (including a bicyclist); or (C) Any user or operator of a moped as defined in section 249-1; . . . HRS § 431:10C-304 (2000). No substantive changes were made to HRS § 431:10C304 (1)(A)-(C) when HRS Chapter 431:10C was amended in 1998 and 2000. -6-  FOR PUBLICATION IN W EST’S HAW AII REPORTS AND PACIFIC REPORTER  services, and attorney’s fees and costs.8 See 89 Hawai#i at 49, 968 P.2d at 651. We pointed out that H.R.S. § 431:10C-304(1) does not confer upon an insured the right to receive payment of medical benefits on behalf of one’s provider, but rather designates billing and payment of medical expenses to flow between insurer and provider. See id. We noted that the insured plays no role in this process. See id. We also cited HRS §§ 431:10C-308.5(e)9 and 431:10C-308.6(j)(1993),10 which prohibited a provider from collecting payment of medical services from an insured. See id. We concluded, “viewing these statutes in pari materia,[11] . . . it is clear that the no-fault law does not allow an insured to enforce a claim for unpaid medical expenses against an insurer on behalf of his or her provider[;]” rather, we stated, “[t]he no-fault statutory scheme strongly suggests that the provider, not the insured, is entitled to pursue payment from the insurer for the cost of unreimbursed medical services to the insured.” 89 Hawai#i at 49-50, 968 P.2d at 651-52. Accordingly, we held 8 These provisions have been moved from HRS § 431:10C-304(1), and HRS §§ 431:10C-302(2), (4), and (5) now provide optional coverage for wage loss, funeral expenses, and other expenses. See HRS § 431:10C-302 (1998). Attorney’s fees are now addressed in HRS § 431:10C-211. 9 Now HRS § 431:10C-308.5(f). 10 Repealed in 1998. See 1997 Haw. Sess. Laws Act 251, § 59 at 551. 11 HRS § 1-16 provides, as it did in 1998: Laws in pari materia. Laws in pari materia, or upon the same subject matter, shall be construed with reference to each other. What is clear in one statute may be called in aid to explain what is doubtful in another. -7-  FOR PUBLICATION IN W EST’S HAW AII REPORTS AND PACIFIC REPORTER  that Wilson was not a real party in interest with respect to her claim against AIG for no-fault benefits to satisfy her provider’s unpaid bill. See 89 Hawai#i at 50, 968 P.2d at 652. In so holding, we reversed the ICA’s holding that Wilson was a real party in interest. See 89 Hawai#i at 51, 968 P.2d at 653. We opined that the ICA’s concerns regarding the insured’s continuing relationship with the provider, and her personal interest in having the insurer pay the provider, were merely altruistic. See 89 Hawai#i at 50, 968 P.2d at 652.