Opinion
September 16, 1997
Appeal from Supreme Court, New York County (Ira Gammerman, J.).
The filed rate doctrine ( see, Keogh v. Chicago Northwestern Ry. Co., 260 U.S. 156) bars judicial challenges under the common law to a rate fixed by a regulatory agency ( see, County of Suffolk v. Long Is. Light. Co., 728 F.2d 52, 61-62). The doctrine precludes plaintiff's claim herein that she was damaged by being required to pay the premium rate approved by the Superintendent of Insurance, instead of any lower rate ( see, Porr v. NYNEX Corp., 230 A.D.2d 564). Even were we to consider plaintiff's consumer fraud theory of recovery, though set forth for the first time on appeal, we would find it barred by the filed rate doctrine ( see, Minihane v. Weissman, 226 A.D.2d 152). If, as plaintiff argues, her damages are based on the amount paid to her physician and not on the premiums paid by her, then she has failed to plead the requisite element that she herself incurred damages. In view of the foregoing, we do not reach defendant's arguments that the action is barred by CPLR 217 or that the insurance rider gives defendant unfettered discretion in fixing the Usual and Prevailing Charge within the meaning of the rider.
Concur — Milonas, J.P., Rosenberger, Wallach, Nardelli and Rubin, JJ.