{ "attribution": { "source": "legal.exploreworldai.com", "canonical": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/judgment-text?id=us:99-f-4th-882", "cite_as": "NovaCopilot, legal.exploreworldai.com (https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/judgment-text?id=us:99-f-4th-882)", "license": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/revision", "version": "legal-2026-10-20", "fingerprint": "ewai:us:49b4aa", "proof": "sha256:894bd399503c7538a046368c660227b3c02669f58569feedcc1cbce9d743404e", "jurisdiction": "us", "lang": "en", "publisher": "NovaCopilot by ExploreWorld Legal", "terms": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/om" }, "brand_source": "Source: NovaCopilot", "item": { "schema_version": "1.0.0", "id": "us:99-f-4th-882", "jurisdiction": "us", "lang": "en", "brand_source": "Source: NovaCopilot", "brand": { "product": "NovaCopilot", "platform": "ExploreWorldAI", "infrastructure": "ExploreWorld Legal", "infrastructure_url": "legal.exploreworldai.com", "legal_entity": "Valkiv Ventures AB", "permanent_url": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/novacopilot", "source": "Source: NovaCopilot", "powered_by": "Powered by NovaCopilot", "license": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/licensvillkor" }, "sections": [ { "title": "RECOMMENDED FOR PUBLICATION", "paragraphs": [] }, { "title": "Pursuant to Sixth Circuit I.O.P. 32.1(b)", "paragraphs": [] }, { "title": "File Name: 24a0096p.06", "paragraphs": [] }, { "title": "UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS", "paragraphs": [] }, { "title": "FOR THE SIXTH CIRCUIT", "paragraphs": [] }, { "title": "KAREN FROHN, Individually and on behalf of all others", "paragraphs": [ "para_7", "para_8", "para_9", "para_10", "para_11", "para_12", "para_13", "para_14", "para_15", "para_16", "para_17", "para_18", "para_19", "para_20", "para_21" ] }, { "title": "No. 23-3530", "paragraphs": [ "para_23", "para_24" ] }, { "title": "Argued: February 1, 2024", "paragraphs": [] }, { "title": "Decided and Filed: April 29, 2024", "paragraphs": [ "para_27", "para_28" ] }, { "title": "COUNSEL", "paragraphs": [] }, { "title": "ARGUED: Todd B. Naylor, GOLDENBERG SCHNEIDER L.P.A., Cincinnati, Ohio, for", "paragraphs": [ "para_31", "para_32", "para_33", "para_34", "para_35", "para_36", "para_37" ] }, { "title": "No. 23-3530 Frohn v. Globe Life and Accident Ins. Co. Page 2", "paragraphs": [ "para_39" ] }, { "title": "OPINION", "paragraphs": [ "para_41" ] }, { "title": "MATHIS, Circuit Judge. Karen Frohn cared for her husband, Greg Frohn, during their", "paragraphs": [ "para_43", "para_44", "para_45", "para_46", "para_47" ] }, { "title": "As Karen’s case progressed, the parties made several motions relevant here. First, Karen", "paragraphs": [ "para_49", "para_50", "para_51", "para_52", "para_53", "para_54", "para_55", "para_56", "para_57" ] }, { "title": "From their marriage in 2002 until Greg’s death in September 2018, Karen drove and", "paragraphs": [ "para_59", "para_60" ] }, { "title": "Greg to his medical appointments so that she could “know what was going on with [her]", "paragraphs": [ "para_62", "para_63", "para_64" ] }, { "title": "No. 23-3530 Frohn v. Globe Life and Accident Ins. Co. Page 3", "paragraphs": [ "para_66", "para_67", "para_68", "para_69", "para_70", "para_71", "para_72" ] }, { "title": "Greg’s Liver Function Abnormality. As Greg’s primary care physician, Dr. Budke", "paragraphs": [ "para_74", "para_75", "para_76", "para_77", "para_78" ] }, { "title": "In addition to routinely monitoring Greg’s liver function through tests like this, and", "paragraphs": [ "para_80", "para_81", "para_82", "para_83", "para_84" ] }, { "title": "Take her June 2014 call to Dr. Budke’s office, for example, where she asked for more", "paragraphs": [ "para_86", "para_87", "para_88" ] }, { "title": "PageID 1216–17. Karen testified that she did not remember having any discussions about her", "paragraphs": [ "para_90", "para_91", "para_92" ] }, { "title": "No. 23-3530 Frohn v. Globe Life and Accident Ins. Co. Page 4", "paragraphs": [ "para_94" ] }, { "title": "Greg’s Depression. As his primary care physician, Dr. Budke also treated Greg for", "paragraphs": [ "para_96", "para_97", "para_98" ] }, { "title": "2015, 2017, and 2018 indicate he was taking Cymbalta. Karen testified that she remembered", "paragraphs": [ "para_100" ] }, { "title": "By at least 2013, Greg suffered from chronic neck and back pain, causing his mental", "paragraphs": [ "para_102", "para_103", "para_104", "para_105", "para_106" ] }, { "title": "Several records indicate that Greg became depressed after losing his job and due to the", "paragraphs": [ "para_108", "para_109" ] }, { "title": "R. 50-14, PageID 1225. In 2017, the Frohns appealed a denial of Greg’s social security", "paragraphs": [ "para_111", "para_112", "para_113" ] }, { "title": "In January 2018, Karen applied to Globe for life insurance on Greg. The insurance", "paragraphs": [ "para_115" ] }, { "title": "1. Is the Proposed Insured currently disabled due to illness . . . ?", "paragraphs": [] }, { "title": "2. In the past 3 years, has the Proposed Insured been diagnosed or", "paragraphs": [ "para_118" ] }, { "title": "(a) Cancer, coronary artery disease, or any disease or disorder", "paragraphs": [ "para_120" ] }, { "title": "No. 23-3530 Frohn v. Globe Life and Accident Ins. Co. Page 5", "paragraphs": [ "para_122", "para_123", "para_124", "para_125" ] }, { "title": "3. Does the Proposed Insured have any chronic illness or condition", "paragraphs": [ "para_127", "para_128", "para_129" ] }, { "title": "After Karen submitted the application, a Globe underwriting representative contacted her", "paragraphs": [ "para_131", "para_132", "para_133", "para_134", "para_135", "para_136", "para_137", "para_138", "para_139" ] }, { "title": "Under the heading “DEATH BENEFIT PAYABLE,” the Policy provides that Globe:", "paragraphs": [] }, { "title": "Will pay the proceeds of this policy to the Beneficiary when We receive due proof", "paragraphs": [ "para_142", "para_143" ] }, { "title": "R. 53-14, PageID 2412. Under the heading “THE CONTRACT,” the Policy states:", "paragraphs": [] }, { "title": "Read Your policy carefully. This policy is a legal contract. The entire contract is", "paragraphs": [ "para_146", "para_147", "para_148" ] }, { "title": "Id. at 2414. And under the heading “INCONTESTABILITY,” the Policy reads:", "paragraphs": [] }, { "title": "Unless You do not pay the premiums due, We cannot contest this policy after it", "paragraphs": [ "para_151", "para_152" ] }, { "title": "No. 23-3530 Frohn v. Globe Life and Accident Ins. Co. Page 6", "paragraphs": [ "para_154", "para_155", "para_156", "para_157" ] }, { "title": "Greg died on September 26, 2018, within the Policy’s contestability period. Around", "paragraphs": [ "para_159", "para_160" ] }, { "title": "Release of Health Information Pursuant to HIPAA,” a “Physician’s Statement,” and the", "paragraphs": [ "para_162", "para_163" ] }, { "title": "Dr. Budke completed Greg’s death certificate and the Physician’s Statement. On the", "paragraphs": [ "para_165", "para_166" ] }, { "title": "Karen also completed and signed the Authorization for Release. The Authorization", "paragraphs": [ "para_168", "para_169", "para_170", "para_171" ] }, { "title": "2018. This letter explained to Karen that because Greg’s “death occurred within the 2-year", "paragraphs": [ "para_173", "para_174", "para_175" ] }, { "title": "But the record reflects that Karen, without any request from Globe, contacted TriHealth", "paragraphs": [ "para_177", "para_178", "para_179", "para_180" ] }, { "title": "No. 23-3530 Frohn v. Globe Life and Accident Ins. Co. Page 7", "paragraphs": [ "para_182" ] }, { "title": "Globe and that TriHealth had complied “[t]wice now.” R. 61-1, PageID 3296–97. She also", "paragraphs": [ "para_184" ] }, { "title": "Ultimately, Globe denied Karen’s claim. Globe explained that Greg’s medical records", "paragraphs": [ "para_186", "para_187", "para_188", "para_189" ] }, { "title": "In August 2019, Karen sued Globe, individually and on behalf of a putative class of", "paragraphs": [ "para_191", "para_192" ] }, { "title": "As the case progressed, Globe requested additional medical records from Karen. In", "paragraphs": [ "para_194", "para_195", "para_196", "para_197", "para_198", "para_199", "para_200", "para_201", "para_202" ] }, { "title": "Thereafter, Globe moved for summary judgment, arguing that it was entitled to rescind", "paragraphs": [ "para_204", "para_205", "para_206", "para_207", "para_208" ] }, { "title": "No. 23-3530 Frohn v. Globe Life and Accident Ins. Co. Page 8", "paragraphs": [] }, { "title": "With its order on Globe’s motion for summary judgment, the district court also “imposed", "paragraphs": [ "para_211", "para_212", "para_213", "para_214", "para_215" ] }, { "title": "In the end, the district court published its order on Globe’s motion for summary judgment", "paragraphs": [ "para_217", "para_218", "para_219", "para_220", "para_221", "para_222", "para_223", "para_224", "para_225" ] }, { "title": "This action is premised on diversity of jurisdiction, 28 U.S.C. § 1332(d)(2), and the", "paragraphs": [ "para_227", "para_228", "para_229" ] }, { "title": "Did Karen voluntarily waive the physician-patient privilege? Ohio Revised Code", "paragraphs": [ "para_231", "para_232", "para_233", "para_234", "para_235", "para_236", "para_237" ] }, { "title": "No. 23-3530 Frohn v. Globe Life and Accident Ins. Co. Page 9", "paragraphs": [ "para_239", "para_240", "para_241", "para_242", "para_243", "para_244", "para_245", "para_246", "para_247", "para_248", "para_249" ] }, { "title": "A person acts voluntarily when “the decision is one’s own choice.” State v. Brunson, 218", "paragraphs": [] }, { "title": "N.E.3d 765, 776 (Ohio 2022) (citation omitted); see also Chadwick v. Barba Lou, Inc., 431", "paragraphs": [] }, { "title": "N.E.2d 660, 662 n.2 (Ohio 1982) (defining “voluntary” as “proceeding . . . from one’s own", "paragraphs": [ "para_253", "para_254", "para_255", "para_256" ] }, { "title": "The Ohio Supreme Court defines “waiver” as “a voluntary relinquishment of a known", "paragraphs": [ "para_258", "para_259", "para_260", "para_261" ] }, { "title": "Karen voluntarily waived Greg’s physician-patient privilege by signing the Authorization", "paragraphs": [ "para_263", "para_264", "para_265", "para_266" ] }, { "title": "No. 23-3530 Frohn v. Globe Life and Accident Ins. Co. Page 10", "paragraphs": [ "para_268", "para_269", "para_270", "para_271" ] }, { "title": "More to the point, the record demonstrates that Karen did not hesitate to disclose Greg’s", "paragraphs": [ "para_273", "para_274", "para_275", "para_276", "para_277", "para_278", "para_279" ] }, { "title": "First, Karen argues that Globe had no right to request the medical-records release before", "paragraphs": [ "para_281", "para_282", "para_283", "para_284", "para_285", "para_286" ] }, { "title": "We must presume that Karen knew of her rights under the Policy. In Ohio, the “parties to", "paragraphs": [ "para_288", "para_289" ] }, { "title": "N.E.2d 741, 745 (Ohio 2007). When Globe asked Karen to sign the medical-records release", "paragraphs": [ "para_291", "para_292", "para_293", "para_294", "para_295" ] }, { "title": "No. 23-3530 Frohn v. Globe Life and Accident Ins. Co. Page 11", "paragraphs": [] }, { "title": "Karen “knew of [her] right to assert an argument or defense.” See Gembarski, 134 N.E.3d at", "paragraphs": [ "para_298" ] }, { "title": "Karen thus waived her contractual rights. As mentioned above, “[a] waiver is a voluntary", "paragraphs": [ "para_300", "para_301", "para_302", "para_303", "para_304", "para_305" ] }, { "title": "Undisputed evidence shows Karen acted inconsistently with her right under the Policy to", "paragraphs": [ "para_307", "para_308", "para_309", "para_310", "para_311", "para_312", "para_313", "para_314" ] }, { "title": "Second, Karen argues that a finding that she waived her husband’s physician-patient", "paragraphs": [ "para_316", "para_317", "para_318", "para_319" ] }, { "title": "1999) (quoting MacDonald v. Clinger, 84 A.D.2d 482, 487 (N.Y. App. Div. 1982)). But within", "paragraphs": [ "para_321", "para_322", "para_323", "para_324" ] }, { "title": "No. 23-3530 Frohn v. Globe Life and Accident Ins. Co. Page 12", "paragraphs": [ "para_326" ] }, { "title": "Did the district court err by denying, in part, Karen’s motion for a protective order?", "paragraphs": [] }, { "title": "Karen sought a protective order to prevent Globe from obtaining information about Greg’s", "paragraphs": [ "para_329" ] }, { "title": "The district court denied in part Karen’s motion. Frohn, 2020 WL 13832151, at *1. Finding", "paragraphs": [ "para_331", "para_332", "para_333", "para_334" ] }, { "title": "The district court reached this decision after considering whether Karen voluntarily", "paragraphs": [ "para_336", "para_337", "para_338", "para_339", "para_340", "para_341", "para_342", "para_343", "para_344", "para_345", "para_346", "para_347", "para_348", "para_349", "para_350", "para_351", "para_352", "para_353", "para_354" ] }, { "title": "No. 23-3530 Frohn v. Globe Life and Accident Ins. Co. Page 13", "paragraphs": [ "para_356", "para_357", "para_358", "para_359" ] }, { "title": "45 C.F.R. § 164.508(b)(5). That provision states:", "paragraphs": [] }, { "title": "An individual may revoke an authorization provided under this section at any", "paragraphs": [ "para_362" ] }, { "title": "(i) The covered entity has taken action in reliance thereon; or", "paragraphs": [] }, { "title": "(ii) If the authorization was obtained as a condition of", "paragraphs": [ "para_365", "para_366", "para_367" ] }, { "title": "The general rule of § 164.508 that requires authorization applies to “covered entit[ies].”", "paragraphs": [ "para_369", "para_370", "para_371", "para_372", "para_373", "para_374", "para_375", "para_376", "para_377", "para_378", "para_379", "para_380" ] }, { "title": "What is more, Karen has not identified what documents, if any, her revocation should", "paragraphs": [ "para_382", "para_383" ] }, { "title": "No. 23-3530 Frohn v. Globe Life and Accident Ins. Co. Page 14", "paragraphs": [ "para_385" ] }, { "title": "Did Globe have a right to rescind the Policy? Karen waived Greg’s physician-patient", "paragraphs": [ "para_387" ] }, { "title": "We now consider whether Globe could rescind the Policy based on what it learned from those", "paragraphs": [ "para_389" ] }, { "title": "Globe rescinded the Policy under Ohio Revised Code § 3911.06. That statute provides:", "paragraphs": [] }, { "title": "No answer to any interrogatory made by an applicant in his application for a", "paragraphs": [ "para_392", "para_393", "para_394", "para_395", "para_396", "para_397", "para_398", "para_399", "para_400", "para_401", "para_402", "para_403", "para_404", "para_405", "para_406", "para_407" ] }, { "title": "Ramsey, 787 F.3d at 821 (citation omitted). The applicant can rebut the presumption by", "paragraphs": [ "para_409", "para_410" ] }, { "title": "Globe argues that Karen gave objectively false answers to questions 2(a) and 2(b) in the", "paragraphs": [ "para_412", "para_413", "para_414" ] }, { "title": "No. 23-3530 Frohn v. Globe Life and Accident Ins. Co. Page 15", "paragraphs": [ "para_416" ] }, { "title": "Question 2(a) asked Karen: “In the past 3 years, has [Greg] been diagnosed or treated by", "paragraphs": [ "para_418", "para_419", "para_420", "para_421", "para_422", "para_423", "para_424" ] }, { "title": "This requires us to interpret question 2(a), which is a part of the Policy. The point of", "paragraphs": [ "para_426", "para_427", "para_428", "para_429", "para_430", "para_431", "para_432", "para_433", "para_434", "para_435", "para_436" ] }, { "title": "Start with the definitions of “diagnosed” and “treated”—both actions that question 2(a)", "paragraphs": [ "para_438", "para_439" ] }, { "title": "No. 23-3530 Frohn v. Globe Life and Accident Ins. Co. Page 16", "paragraphs": [ "para_441", "para_442" ] }, { "title": "Next consider the definitions of “disease” and “disorder”—both ailments of the insured", "paragraphs": [ "para_444", "para_445", "para_446", "para_447", "para_448", "para_449" ] }, { "title": "Karen’s “no” answer to question 2(a) was objectively false. Dr. Budke, Greg’s", "paragraphs": [ "para_451", "para_452", "para_453", "para_454", "para_455", "para_456", "para_457", "para_458", "para_459", "para_460", "para_461", "para_462", "para_463", "para_464", "para_465" ] }, { "title": "9U.S. DEP’T OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVS. ET AL., INTERNATIONAL CLASSIFICATION OF DISEASES 10TH", "paragraphs": [ "para_467", "para_468", "para_469" ] }, { "title": "No. 23-3530 Frohn v. Globe Life and Accident Ins. Co. Page 17", "paragraphs": [ "para_471", "para_472", "para_473", "para_474", "para_475", "para_476", "para_477" ] }, { "title": "Karen argues that liver function abnormality is not a liver “disease” or “disorder.” She", "paragraphs": [ "para_479", "para_480", "para_481", "para_482", "para_483", "para_484" ] }, { "title": "Karen makes two additional arguments on this point. First, she contends that Globe’s", "paragraphs": [ "para_486", "para_487", "para_488", "para_489", "para_490" ] }, { "title": "Both arguments miss the mark. It is true that Karen cites a portion of Globe’s", "paragraphs": [ "para_492", "para_493", "para_494", "para_495", "para_496", "para_497", "para_498", "para_499" ] }, { "title": "No. 23-3530 Frohn v. Globe Life and Accident Ins. Co. Page 18", "paragraphs": [ "para_501", "para_502", "para_503", "para_504", "para_505", "para_506", "para_507", "para_508" ] }, { "title": "Nor does Globe’s initial determination about Karen’s answer to question 2(a) change the", "paragraphs": [ "para_510", "para_511", "para_512", "para_513", "para_514", "para_515", "para_516", "para_517", "para_518", "para_519", "para_520" ] }, { "title": "Karen’s evidence does not show that she made an honest mistake about Greg’s liver", "paragraphs": [ "para_522", "para_523", "para_524", "para_525", "para_526", "para_527", "para_528" ] }, { "title": "No. 23-3530 Frohn v. Globe Life and Accident Ins. Co. Page 19", "paragraphs": [] }, { "title": "Karen also spoke with Dr. Budke’s office about Greg’s liver function abnormality on", "paragraphs": [ "para_531", "para_532", "para_533", "para_534" ] }, { "title": "PageID 1217. And in January 2017, an employee again spoke with Karen over the phone and", "paragraphs": [ "para_536", "para_537" ] }, { "title": "Despite this, Karen argues that “no evidence” exists that she was ever informed that her", "paragraphs": [ "para_539", "para_540", "para_541", "para_542", "para_543", "para_544", "para_545", "para_546", "para_547", "para_548" ] }, { "title": "Karen testified that she could not recall her conversations with Dr. Budke or his office", "paragraphs": [ "para_550", "para_551", "para_552", "para_553", "para_554", "para_555", "para_556" ] }, { "title": "At bottom, Globe presented evidence that Karen’s “no” answer to question 2(a) was", "paragraphs": [ "para_558" ] }, { "title": "No. 23-3530 Frohn v. Globe Life and Accident Ins. Co. Page 20", "paragraphs": [ "para_560", "para_561", "para_562", "para_563" ] }, { "title": "Question 2(b) asked Karen: “In the past 3 years, has [Greg] been diagnosed or treated by", "paragraphs": [ "para_565", "para_566", "para_567", "para_568", "para_569", "para_570", "para_571" ] }, { "title": "Karen’s “no” answer to question 2(b) was objectively false with respect to Greg’s", "paragraphs": [ "para_573", "para_574", "para_575", "para_576", "para_577", "para_578", "para_579" ] }, { "title": "The only argument Karen has in response is one we have already rejected. She points to", "paragraphs": [ "para_581", "para_582", "para_583", "para_584", "para_585", "para_586", "para_587" ] }, { "title": "No. 23-3530 Frohn v. Globe Life and Accident Ins. Co. Page 21", "paragraphs": [ "para_589" ] }, { "title": "Karen cannot show that she honestly believed depression was not a mental disorder. At", "paragraphs": [ "para_591", "para_592", "para_593", "para_594", "para_595", "para_596", "para_597", "para_598", "para_599" ] }, { "title": "We must now consider whether Globe would have issued the Policy, but for Karen’s", "paragraphs": [ "para_601", "para_602", "para_603", "para_604" ] }, { "title": "Is it enough that Globe would have issued Greg a different policy rather than no policy at", "paragraphs": [ "para_606", "para_607", "para_608" ] }, { "title": "Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 3911.06 (emphasis added). Jenkins held that an insurer can prove its", "paragraphs": [ "para_610", "para_611", "para_612", "para_613", "para_614", "para_615", "para_616" ] }, { "title": "No. 23-3530 Frohn v. Globe Life and Accident Ins. Co. Page 22", "paragraphs": [ "para_618", "para_619", "para_620", "para_621" ] }, { "title": "But for Karen’s false application answers, Globe would not have issued Greg the same", "paragraphs": [ "para_623", "para_624", "para_625", "para_626", "para_627", "para_628", "para_629" ] }, { "title": "What is more, “premiums for policies assigned to Sub-Standard B are higher than policies", "paragraphs": [ "para_631" ] }, { "title": "Karen points to evidence that Globe may have issued Greg the same Sub-Standard A", "paragraphs": [ "para_633", "para_634", "para_635", "para_636", "para_637", "para_638" ] }, { "title": "Globe did that here. According to Danner, if Karen had disclosed Greg’s liver function", "paragraphs": [ "para_640" ] }, { "title": "Assuming Karen answered the follow-up questions truthfully, the record demonstrates what", "paragraphs": [ "para_642", "para_643", "para_644", "para_645", "para_646" ] }, { "title": "No. 23-3530 Frohn v. Globe Life and Accident Ins. Co. Page 23", "paragraphs": [ "para_648", "para_649", "para_650" ] }, { "title": "Karen next argues that the Policy and Ohio law prohibit Globe from using Karen’s", "paragraphs": [ "para_652", "para_653", "para_654", "para_655", "para_656", "para_657", "para_658", "para_659" ] }, { "title": "Did Globe have knowledge of Greg’s ailments when Karen completed the Policy", "paragraphs": [ "para_661", "para_662" ] }, { "title": "In sum, Globe has clearly demonstrated it is entitled to rescind the Policy under", "paragraphs": [ "para_664", "para_665", "para_666", "para_667" ] }, { "title": "Karen also challenges the district court’s order denying her request to redact Greg’s", "paragraphs": [ "para_669", "para_670", "para_671", "para_672", "para_673", "para_674" ] }, { "title": "No. 23-3530 Frohn v. Globe Life and Accident Ins. Co. Page 24", "paragraphs": [ "para_676", "para_677", "para_678", "para_679" ] } ], "paragraphs": [ { "text": "RECOMMENDED FOR PUBLICATION", "paragraph_id": "para_1" }, { "text": "Pursuant to Sixth Circuit I.O.P. 32.1(b)", "paragraph_id": "para_2" }, { "text": "File Name: 24a0096p.06", "paragraph_id": "para_3" }, { "text": "UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS", "paragraph_id": "para_4" }, { "text": "FOR THE SIXTH CIRCUIT", "paragraph_id": "para_5" }, { "text": "KAREN FROHN, Individually and on behalf of all others", "paragraph_id": "para_6" }, { "text": "similarly situated,", "paragraph_id": "para_7" }, { "text": "Plaintiff-Appellant,", "paragraph_id": "para_8" }, { "text": "v.", "paragraph_id": "para_9" }, { "text": "GLOBE LIFE AND ACCIDENT INSURANCE COMPANY,", "paragraph_id": "para_10" }, { "text": "Defendant-Appellee.", "paragraph_id": "para_11" }, { "text": "┐", "paragraph_id": "para_12" }, { "text": "│", "paragraph_id": "para_13" }, { "text": "│", "paragraph_id": "para_14" }, { "text": "│", "paragraph_id": "para_15" }, { "text": "│", "paragraph_id": "para_16" }, { "text": "│", "paragraph_id": "para_17" }, { "text": "│", "paragraph_id": "para_18" }, { "text": "│", "paragraph_id": "para_19" }, { "text": "│", "paragraph_id": "para_20" }, { "text": "┘", "paragraph_id": "para_21" }, { "text": "No. 23-3530", "paragraph_id": "para_22" }, { "text": "Appeal from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio at Cincinnati.", "paragraph_id": "para_23" }, { "text": "No. 1:19-cv-00713—Douglas Russell Cole, District Judge.", "paragraph_id": "para_24" }, { "text": "Argued: February 1, 2024", "paragraph_id": "para_25" }, { "text": "Decided and Filed: April 29, 2024", "paragraph_id": "para_26" }, { "text": "Before: SILER, NALBANDIAN, and MATHIS, Circuit Judges.", "paragraph_id": "para_27" }, { "text": "_________________", "paragraph_id": "para_28" }, { "text": "COUNSEL", "paragraph_id": "para_29" }, { "text": "ARGUED: Todd B. Naylor, GOLDENBERG SCHNEIDER L.P.A., Cincinnati, Ohio, for", "paragraph_id": "para_30" }, { "text": "Appellant. Glennon P. Fogarty, HUSCH BLACKWELL LLP, St. Louis, Missouri, for Appellee.", "paragraph_id": "para_31" }, { "text": "ON BRIEF: Todd B. Naylor, Jeffrey S. Goldenberg, GOLDENBERG SCHNEIDER L.P.A.,", "paragraph_id": "para_32" }, { "text": "Cincinnati, Ohio, Catharin R. Taylor, CLEMENTS, TAYLOR, BUTKOVICH & COHEN, LPA,", "paragraph_id": "para_33" }, { "text": "Cincinnati, Ohio, for Appellant. Glennon P. Fogarty, David W. Sobelman, Melissa Z. Baris,", "paragraph_id": "para_34" }, { "text": "HUSCH BLACKWELL LLP, St. Louis, Missouri, Jeffrey A. Lipps, Michael N. Beekhuizen,", "paragraph_id": "para_35" }, { "text": "CARPENTER LIPPS LLP, Columbus, Ohio, for Appellee.", "paragraph_id": "para_36" }, { "text": ">", "paragraph_id": "para_37" }, { "text": "No. 23-3530 Frohn v. Globe Life and Accident Ins. Co. Page 2", "paragraph_id": "para_38" }, { "text": "_________________", "paragraph_id": "para_39" }, { "text": "OPINION", "paragraph_id": "para_40" }, { "text": "_________________", "paragraph_id": "para_41" }, { "text": "MATHIS, Circuit Judge. Karen Frohn cared for her husband, Greg Frohn, during their", "paragraph_id": "para_42" }, { "text": "entire marriage.1 In January 2018, Karen applied for and received a life insurance policy on her", "paragraph_id": "para_43" }, { "text": "husband’s life from Globe Life and Accident Insurance Company. Greg died about nine months", "paragraph_id": "para_44" }, { "text": "after that, and Karen submitted a claim for death benefits that Globe later denied. Karen then", "paragraph_id": "para_45" }, { "text": "sued Globe individually and on behalf of a putative class of beneficiaries challenging the denial", "paragraph_id": "para_46" }, { "text": "of her claim.", "paragraph_id": "para_47" }, { "text": "As Karen’s case progressed, the parties made several motions relevant here. First, Karen", "paragraph_id": "para_48" }, { "text": "moved for a protective order to prevent Globe from seeking Greg’s medical records and medical", "paragraph_id": "para_49" }, { "text": "history during discovery. The district court denied that motion in part. After that, Globe moved", "paragraph_id": "para_50" }, { "text": "for summary judgment, arguing that it was entitled to rescind the life insurance policy because", "paragraph_id": "para_51" }, { "text": "Karen was not truthful in her application for insurance. The district court granted Globe’s", "paragraph_id": "para_52" }, { "text": "motion, barring Karen from recovery on her claims against Globe. Karen also asked the court to", "paragraph_id": "para_53" }, { "text": "redact certain portions of that order, but the district court published it without any redactions.", "paragraph_id": "para_54" }, { "text": "Karen challenges these three decisions on appeal. For the reasons below, we affirm.", "paragraph_id": "para_55" }, { "text": "I.", "paragraph_id": "para_56" }, { "text": "A.", "paragraph_id": "para_57" }, { "text": "From their marriage in 2002 until Greg’s death in September 2018, Karen drove and", "paragraph_id": "para_58" }, { "text": "accompanied her husband to almost all his medical appointments. Greg did not have a driver’s", "paragraph_id": "para_59" }, { "text": "license because of his multiple DUI convictions. At any rate, Karen wanted to accompany", "paragraph_id": "para_60" }, { "text": "Greg to his medical appointments so that she could “know what was going on with [her]", "paragraph_id": "para_61" }, { "text": "husband.” R. 50, PageID 846. And Greg apparently “felt more comfortable” with his wife there,", "paragraph_id": "para_62" }, { "text": "1We refer to Karen Frohn and Greg Frohn extensively throughout this opinion. For clarity, we refer to", "paragraph_id": "para_63" }, { "text": "these individuals by their first names.", "paragraph_id": "para_64" }, { "text": "No. 23-3530 Frohn v. Globe Life and Accident Ins. Co. Page 3", "paragraph_id": "para_65" }, { "text": "too. Id. According to Karen, she and her husband “listen[ed] carefully” during these visits to", "paragraph_id": "para_66" }, { "text": "what Greg’s doctors relayed about his health and his future treatment. Id. at 984.", "paragraph_id": "para_67" }, { "text": "Greg’s medical history is extensive and spans several years. Pertinent to this appeal is his", "paragraph_id": "para_68" }, { "text": "history of liver function abnormality and depression.2 Greg saw at least two doctors: his primary", "paragraph_id": "para_69" }, { "text": "care physician, Dr. Kevin Budke, and his pain specialist, Dr. Christine Smith. Both doctors", "paragraph_id": "para_70" }, { "text": "worked for the Tri-Health healthcare system in Cincinnati, Ohio.", "paragraph_id": "para_71" }, { "text": "1.", "paragraph_id": "para_72" }, { "text": "Greg’s Liver Function Abnormality. As Greg’s primary care physician, Dr. Budke", "paragraph_id": "para_73" }, { "text": "diagnosed Greg with liver function abnormality every year from 2013 to 2017. Dr. Budke’s", "paragraph_id": "para_74" }, { "text": "diagnosis led to his periodic testing of Greg’s liver function. In January 2017, for example,", "paragraph_id": "para_75" }, { "text": "Greg’s blood work revealed an “AST” level of 214 and an “ALT” level of 101, both measures of", "paragraph_id": "para_76" }, { "text": "liver functionality. According to Dr. Budke, a healthy AST range is 10 to 40 while a healthy", "paragraph_id": "para_77" }, { "text": "ALT range is 10 to 60.", "paragraph_id": "para_78" }, { "text": "In addition to routinely monitoring Greg’s liver function through tests like this, and", "paragraph_id": "para_79" }, { "text": "because alcohol can impair that function, Dr. Budke also encouraged Greg to reduce his alcohol", "paragraph_id": "para_80" }, { "text": "consumption. Although the timeline is unclear, Greg consistently drank a lot of alcohol. At", "paragraph_id": "para_81" }, { "text": "times, he reported drinking as little as 6 drinks a day while at other times he reported drinking as", "paragraph_id": "para_82" }, { "text": "many as 24 drinks a day.", "paragraph_id": "para_83" }, { "text": "Karen sometimes involved herself in discussions about her husband’s liver function.", "paragraph_id": "para_84" }, { "text": "Take her June 2014 call to Dr. Budke’s office, for example, where she asked for more", "paragraph_id": "para_85" }, { "text": "information about Greg’s “platelet and liver function test results.” R. 50-9, PageID 1214. Dr.", "paragraph_id": "para_86" }, { "text": "Budke’s records also indicate that, about a year later, his staff “spoke to [Karen]” and gave her", "paragraph_id": "para_87" }, { "text": "Greg’s liver function test results, and she “verbalized understanding” those results. R. 50-10,", "paragraph_id": "para_88" }, { "text": "PageID 1216–17. Karen testified that she did not remember having any discussions about her", "paragraph_id": "para_89" }, { "text": "husband’s liver diagnoses, but she did not deny that these calls or discussions occurred.", "paragraph_id": "para_90" }, { "text": "2Doctors also diagnosed Greg with alcohol abuse, stiff-person syndrome, thrombocytopenia, anemia, and", "paragraph_id": "para_91" }, { "text": "hypertension.", "paragraph_id": "para_92" }, { "text": "No. 23-3530 Frohn v. Globe Life and Accident Ins. Co. Page 4", "paragraph_id": "para_93" }, { "text": "2.", "paragraph_id": "para_94" }, { "text": "Greg’s Depression. As his primary care physician, Dr. Budke also treated Greg for", "paragraph_id": "para_95" }, { "text": "depression. Medical records reflect that Greg was taking at least two medications to treat his", "paragraph_id": "para_96" }, { "text": "depression—a June 2014 record indicates he was taking Tofranil, which could have helped with", "paragraph_id": "para_97" }, { "text": "pain control but was “most likely” for his depression, R. 51, PageID 1429, and records from", "paragraph_id": "para_98" }, { "text": "2015, 2017, and 2018 indicate he was taking Cymbalta. Karen testified that she remembered", "paragraph_id": "para_99" }, { "text": "Greg taking Cymbalta to treat both his pain and depression.", "paragraph_id": "para_100" }, { "text": "By at least 2013, Greg suffered from chronic neck and back pain, causing his mental", "paragraph_id": "para_101" }, { "text": "health to worsen. The Frohns did not know the source of Greg’s pain, but it caused him to lose", "paragraph_id": "para_102" }, { "text": "mobility and struggle to complete everyday tasks. By around 2017, Greg struggled to raise his", "paragraph_id": "para_103" }, { "text": "hands above his head, put on socks, get out of bed, or walk without support. He lost his job", "paragraph_id": "para_104" }, { "text": "because of the pain. Dr. Smith diagnosed Greg with stiff-person syndrome, a rare neurological", "paragraph_id": "para_105" }, { "text": "condition.", "paragraph_id": "para_106" }, { "text": "Several records indicate that Greg became depressed after losing his job and due to the", "paragraph_id": "para_107" }, { "text": "pain. Dr. Budke’s records indicate that “[Karen] feels [Greg] is depressed about the job loss”", "paragraph_id": "para_108" }, { "text": "and that Greg admitted he was still “grieiving [sic] over a job he had held for many years.”", "paragraph_id": "para_109" }, { "text": "R. 50-14, PageID 1225. In 2017, the Frohns appealed a denial of Greg’s social security", "paragraph_id": "para_110" }, { "text": "disability benefits. A handwritten statement prepared for that appeal provides that Greg was", "paragraph_id": "para_111" }, { "text": "“very depressed” because of “his debilitating disease.” R. 50-3, PageID 1200.", "paragraph_id": "para_112" }, { "text": "B.", "paragraph_id": "para_113" }, { "text": "In January 2018, Karen applied to Globe for life insurance on Greg. The insurance", "paragraph_id": "para_114" }, { "text": "application asked Karen to answer truthfully the following questions:", "paragraph_id": "para_115" }, { "text": "1. Is the Proposed Insured currently disabled due to illness . . . ?", "paragraph_id": "para_116" }, { "text": "2. In the past 3 years, has the Proposed Insured been diagnosed or", "paragraph_id": "para_117" }, { "text": "treated by a member of the medical profession for:", "paragraph_id": "para_118" }, { "text": "(a) Cancer, coronary artery disease, or any disease or disorder", "paragraph_id": "para_119" }, { "text": "of the heart, brain, or liver?", "paragraph_id": "para_120" }, { "text": "No. 23-3530 Frohn v. Globe Life and Accident Ins. Co. Page 5", "paragraph_id": "para_121" }, { "text": "(b) Chronic kidney disease or kidney failure, muscular disease,", "paragraph_id": "para_122" }, { "text": "mental or nervous disorder, chronic obstructive lung", "paragraph_id": "para_123" }, { "text": "disease, drug or alcohol abuse, or hospitalized for diabetes?", "paragraph_id": "para_124" }, { "text": ". . . .", "paragraph_id": "para_125" }, { "text": "3. Does the Proposed Insured have any chronic illness or condition", "paragraph_id": "para_126" }, { "text": "which requires periodic medical care or may require future", "paragraph_id": "para_127" }, { "text": "surgery?", "paragraph_id": "para_128" }, { "text": "R. 53-13, PageID 2404. Karen answered “yes” to question 1, but “no” to every other question.", "paragraph_id": "para_129" }, { "text": "After Karen submitted the application, a Globe underwriting representative contacted her", "paragraph_id": "para_130" }, { "text": "to discuss the application further. Globe typically did this before issuing a policy. During that", "paragraph_id": "para_131" }, { "text": "call, Karen reiterated her “no” answers to questions 2(a) and 2(b). But Karen told Globe that", "paragraph_id": "para_132" }, { "text": "Greg suffered from neck and back pain, that he had applied for social security disability benefits,", "paragraph_id": "para_133" }, { "text": "and that he used medication for pain management. The underwriter then changed Karen’s", "paragraph_id": "para_134" }, { "text": "answer to question 3 from “no” to “yes,” and, based on Karen’s answers in the application and", "paragraph_id": "para_135" }, { "text": "during the underwriting call, Globe issued Greg a “Sub-Standard A” life insurance policy (the", "paragraph_id": "para_136" }, { "text": "“Policy”). Globe also sent Karen a copy of the corrected application along with other policy-", "paragraph_id": "para_137" }, { "text": "related materials.", "paragraph_id": "para_138" }, { "text": "The Policy, which became effective in February 2018, named Karen as the beneficiary.", "paragraph_id": "para_139" }, { "text": "Under the heading “DEATH BENEFIT PAYABLE,” the Policy provides that Globe:", "paragraph_id": "para_140" }, { "text": "Will pay the proceeds of this policy to the Beneficiary when We receive due proof", "paragraph_id": "para_141" }, { "text": "that the Insured’s death occurred while this policy was in force (or not later than", "paragraph_id": "para_142" }, { "text": "two months after receipt of such proof).", "paragraph_id": "para_143" }, { "text": "R. 53-14, PageID 2412. Under the heading “THE CONTRACT,” the Policy states:", "paragraph_id": "para_144" }, { "text": "Read Your policy carefully. This policy is a legal contract. The entire contract is", "paragraph_id": "para_145" }, { "text": "this policy and the attached application. . . . No statement can cancel this policy", "paragraph_id": "para_146" }, { "text": "or be used in Our defense if We refuse to pay a claim unless it is found in the", "paragraph_id": "para_147" }, { "text": "attached application.", "paragraph_id": "para_148" }, { "text": "Id. at 2414. And under the heading “INCONTESTABILITY,” the Policy reads:", "paragraph_id": "para_149" }, { "text": "Unless You do not pay the premiums due, We cannot contest this policy after it", "paragraph_id": "para_150" }, { "text": "has been in force during the Insured’s lifetime for 2 years from the Policy", "paragraph_id": "para_151" }, { "text": "Effective Date.", "paragraph_id": "para_152" }, { "text": "No. 23-3530 Frohn v. Globe Life and Accident Ins. Co. Page 6", "paragraph_id": "para_153" }, { "text": "Id. at 2415. The Policy did “not require a beneficiary to submit the deceased’s medical records”", "paragraph_id": "para_154" }, { "text": "before Globe processed her claim. Frohn v. Globe Life & Accident Ins. Co., 667 F. Supp. 3d", "paragraph_id": "para_155" }, { "text": "715, 722 (S.D. Ohio 2023).", "paragraph_id": "para_156" }, { "text": "C.", "paragraph_id": "para_157" }, { "text": "Greg died on September 26, 2018, within the Policy’s contestability period. Around", "paragraph_id": "para_158" }, { "text": "October 1, 2018, Karen called Globe to report Greg’s death. On October 2, Globe sent Karen a", "paragraph_id": "para_159" }, { "text": "letter requesting several items, including a “Claimant’s Statement,” an “Authorization for", "paragraph_id": "para_160" }, { "text": "Release of Health Information Pursuant to HIPAA,” a “Physician’s Statement,” and the", "paragraph_id": "para_161" }, { "text": "“Certified Death Certificate.” Karen complied and submitted this paperwork about two weeks", "paragraph_id": "para_162" }, { "text": "later.", "paragraph_id": "para_163" }, { "text": "Dr. Budke completed Greg’s death certificate and the Physician’s Statement. On the", "paragraph_id": "para_164" }, { "text": "Physician’s Statement, Dr. Budke reported treating Greg since 2009 for hypertension, cervical", "paragraph_id": "para_165" }, { "text": "spinal stenosis, alcohol abuse, and depression.", "paragraph_id": "para_166" }, { "text": "Karen also completed and signed the Authorization for Release. The Authorization", "paragraph_id": "para_167" }, { "text": "allowed medical providers to release Greg’s medical records and other medical information to", "paragraph_id": "para_168" }, { "text": "Globe. It also allowed Karen to revoke the Authorization at any time unless Globe had “a legal", "paragraph_id": "para_169" }, { "text": "right to contest a claim.” R. 50-19, PageID 1248.", "paragraph_id": "para_170" }, { "text": "After receiving these documents from Karen, Globe sent her another letter on October 26,", "paragraph_id": "para_171" }, { "text": "2018. This letter explained to Karen that because Greg’s “death occurred within the 2-year", "paragraph_id": "para_172" }, { "text": "contestable period, it will be necessary for us to request some information from the medical", "paragraph_id": "para_173" }, { "text": "providers that provided treatment to the insured over the past few years.” R. 61-1, PageID 3293.", "paragraph_id": "para_174" }, { "text": "And it further informed Karen that “no further action is needed by you at this time.” Id.", "paragraph_id": "para_175" }, { "text": "But the record reflects that Karen, without any request from Globe, contacted TriHealth", "paragraph_id": "para_176" }, { "text": "to expedite its production of medical records. As Globe points out, in November 2018,", "paragraph_id": "para_177" }, { "text": "“TriHealth sent Globe . . . [Greg’s] medical records under a fax cover stating: ‘Our Copy Service", "paragraph_id": "para_178" }, { "text": "is working on this request but as a courtesy to the patient’s wife, I am sending records directly", "paragraph_id": "para_179" }, { "text": "from the Office.’” D. 28 at pp.25–26. Speaking with a Globe customer service representative,", "paragraph_id": "para_180" }, { "text": "No. 23-3530 Frohn v. Globe Life and Accident Ins. Co. Page 7", "paragraph_id": "para_181" }, { "text": "Karen explained that she called TriHealth to have them fax her husband’s medical records to", "paragraph_id": "para_182" }, { "text": "Globe and that TriHealth had complied “[t]wice now.” R. 61-1, PageID 3296–97. She also", "paragraph_id": "para_183" }, { "text": "called Globe multiple times to inquire what was taking so long to review her claim.", "paragraph_id": "para_184" }, { "text": "Ultimately, Globe denied Karen’s claim. Globe explained that Greg’s medical records", "paragraph_id": "para_185" }, { "text": "“indicate[d] prior medical conditions which include but may not be limited to a history of", "paragraph_id": "para_186" }, { "text": "alcohol abuse with abnormal liver function tests, hypertension, neurological stiff person", "paragraph_id": "para_187" }, { "text": "syndrome.” R. 67-1, PageID 4142. Globe reimbursed Karen for all premiums paid.", "paragraph_id": "para_188" }, { "text": "D.", "paragraph_id": "para_189" }, { "text": "In August 2019, Karen sued Globe, individually and on behalf of a putative class of", "paragraph_id": "para_190" }, { "text": "beneficiaries. She alleged that Globe breached the Policy and its duty of good faith and fair", "paragraph_id": "para_191" }, { "text": "dealing.", "paragraph_id": "para_192" }, { "text": "As the case progressed, Globe requested additional medical records from Karen. In", "paragraph_id": "para_193" }, { "text": "response, Karen moved for a protective order. She sought to prohibit Globe’s further discovery", "paragraph_id": "para_194" }, { "text": "of Greg’s medical records, arguing that the physician-patient privilege protected those records.", "paragraph_id": "para_195" }, { "text": "Karen also purported to revoke the medical release. The district court granted Karen’s request in", "paragraph_id": "para_196" }, { "text": "part. Frohn v. Globe Life & Accident Ins. Co., No. 1:19-cv-713, 2020 WL 13832151, at *1 (S.D.", "paragraph_id": "para_197" }, { "text": "Ohio Oct. 14, 2020). Finding Greg’s older medical records irrelevant to Globe’s defense, it held", "paragraph_id": "para_198" }, { "text": "that Globe could not seek Greg’s medical information from before January 10, 2013. Id. at *3.", "paragraph_id": "para_199" }, { "text": "But the district court also denied Karen’s motion in part, finding that (1) Karen’s attempted", "paragraph_id": "para_200" }, { "text": "revocation was “ineffective,” and (2) Globe could seek Greg’s medical information from January", "paragraph_id": "para_201" }, { "text": "10, 2013, and beyond. Id. at *3–5.", "paragraph_id": "para_202" }, { "text": "Thereafter, Globe moved for summary judgment, arguing that it was entitled to rescind", "paragraph_id": "para_203" }, { "text": "the Policy under Ohio Revised Code § 3911.06. The district court granted Globe’s motion for", "paragraph_id": "para_204" }, { "text": "summary judgment, holding that: (1) Karen voluntarily executed the Authorization for Release", "paragraph_id": "para_205" }, { "text": "thereby waiving Greg’s physician-patient privilege, and (2) Globe was entitled to rescind", "paragraph_id": "para_206" }, { "text": "under § 3911.06, barring Karen from recovery on either of her claims. Frohn, 667 F. Supp. 3d at", "paragraph_id": "para_207" }, { "text": "718–19, 734.", "paragraph_id": "para_208" }, { "text": "No. 23-3530 Frohn v. Globe Life and Accident Ins. Co. Page 8", "paragraph_id": "para_209" }, { "text": "With its order on Globe’s motion for summary judgment, the district court also “imposed", "paragraph_id": "para_210" }, { "text": "a temporary seal” on that decision because it “had allowed the parties to file certain exhibits and", "paragraph_id": "para_211" }, { "text": "information relating to [Globe’s] motion under seal.” R. 87, PageID 6391. The district court", "paragraph_id": "para_212" }, { "text": "then asked Karen and Globe “whether they believed portions of [that order] warranted", "paragraph_id": "para_213" }, { "text": "redaction.” Id. Karen wanted the court to redact references to Greg’s various ailments and the", "paragraph_id": "para_214" }, { "text": "activities that contributed to those ailments, while Globe argued no redactions were necessary.", "paragraph_id": "para_215" }, { "text": "In the end, the district court published its order on Globe’s motion for summary judgment", "paragraph_id": "para_216" }, { "text": "without any redactions. But it delayed doing so for two weeks to allow Karen “an opportunity", "paragraph_id": "para_217" }, { "text": "before publication to seek relief from the Sixth Circuit” on that issue. Id. at 6397. She did not", "paragraph_id": "para_218" }, { "text": "seek relief from this court during that two-week period. Instead, this appeal followed.", "paragraph_id": "para_219" }, { "text": "II.", "paragraph_id": "para_220" }, { "text": "On appeal, Karen argues that the district court erred by: (1) finding that Karen waived the", "paragraph_id": "para_221" }, { "text": "physician-patient privilege as to Greg’s medical records and information; (2) denying in part", "paragraph_id": "para_222" }, { "text": "Karen’s motion for a protective order; (3) granting Globe’s motion for summary judgment upon", "paragraph_id": "para_223" }, { "text": "determining that Globe properly rescinded the Policy3; and (4) refusing to redact or seal its order", "paragraph_id": "para_224" }, { "text": "granting summary judgment to Globe. We address each argument in turn.", "paragraph_id": "para_225" }, { "text": "This action is premised on diversity of jurisdiction, 28 U.S.C. § 1332(d)(2), and the", "paragraph_id": "para_226" }, { "text": "parties agree that Ohio substantive law applies, Baker Hughes Inc. v. S&S Chem., LLC, 836 F.3d", "paragraph_id": "para_227" }, { "text": "554, 560 (6th Cir. 2016).", "paragraph_id": "para_228" }, { "text": "A.", "paragraph_id": "para_229" }, { "text": "Did Karen voluntarily waive the physician-patient privilege? Ohio Revised Code", "paragraph_id": "para_230" }, { "text": "§ 2317.02(B) governs the physician-patient privilege. The privilege protects", "paragraph_id": "para_231" }, { "text": "“communication[s]” between a physician and his or her patient that are meant to “diagnose, treat,", "paragraph_id": "para_232" }, { "text": "prescribe, or act for a patient.” Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2317.02(B)(1), (B)(5)(a). This includes", "paragraph_id": "para_233" }, { "text": "medical records. Med. Mut. of Ohio v. Schlotterer, 909 N.E.2d 1237, 1240 (Ohio 2009). Ohio", "paragraph_id": "para_234" }, { "text": "courts strictly construe the physician-patient privilege “against the party seeking to assert it and", "paragraph_id": "para_235" }, { "text": "3We review the district court’s grant of summary judgment de novo. Cooper v. Dolgencorp, LLC, 93 F.4th", "paragraph_id": "para_236" }, { "text": "360, 368 (6th Cir. 2024).", "paragraph_id": "para_237" }, { "text": "No. 23-3530 Frohn v. Globe Life and Accident Ins. Co. Page 9", "paragraph_id": "para_238" }, { "text": "[it] may be applied only to those circumstances specifically named in the statute.” Ward", "paragraph_id": "para_239" }, { "text": "v. Summa Health Sys., 943 N.E.2d 514, 518 (Ohio 2010).", "paragraph_id": "para_240" }, { "text": "The physician-patient privilege is not absolute—it “contains a number of exceptions.” Id.", "paragraph_id": "para_241" }, { "text": "at 519. Relevant here, the spouse of a deceased patient may waive the physician-patient", "paragraph_id": "para_242" }, { "text": "privilege by giving her “express consent.” Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 2317.02(B)(1)(a)(ii). Such", "paragraph_id": "para_243" }, { "text": "consent “to the release of medical information is valid, and waives the physician-patient", "paragraph_id": "para_244" }, { "text": "privilege, if it is voluntary, express, and reasonably specific in identifying to whom the", "paragraph_id": "para_245" }, { "text": "information is to be delivered.” Schlotterer, 909 N.E.2d at 1241. By executing the", "paragraph_id": "para_246" }, { "text": "Authorization for Release, Karen gave express consent for Greg’s medical providers to disclose", "paragraph_id": "para_247" }, { "text": "his privileged medical information to Globe. Thus, the only dispute is whether she did so", "paragraph_id": "para_248" }, { "text": "voluntarily.", "paragraph_id": "para_249" }, { "text": "A person acts voluntarily when “the decision is one’s own choice.” State v. Brunson, 218", "paragraph_id": "para_250" }, { "text": "N.E.3d 765, 776 (Ohio 2022) (citation omitted); see also Chadwick v. Barba Lou, Inc., 431", "paragraph_id": "para_251" }, { "text": "N.E.2d 660, 662 n.2 (Ohio 1982) (defining “voluntary” as “proceeding . . . from one’s own", "paragraph_id": "para_252" }, { "text": "choice or consent” (citation omitted)). Because “ignorance is easily seen as a form of", "paragraph_id": "para_253" }, { "text": "compulsion[,] it could hardly be said that one had ‘voluntarily’ disclosed something if one was", "paragraph_id": "para_254" }, { "text": "not aware that the disclosure was taking place.” 25 Charles Alan Wright et al., Fed. Prac.", "paragraph_id": "para_255" }, { "text": "& Proc. § 5552 (1st ed. 2023 update).", "paragraph_id": "para_256" }, { "text": "The Ohio Supreme Court defines “waiver” as “a voluntary relinquishment of a known", "paragraph_id": "para_257" }, { "text": "right . . . , whether contractual, statutory, or constitutional.” Glidden Co. v. Lumbermens Mut.", "paragraph_id": "para_258" }, { "text": "Cas. Co., 861 N.E.2d 109, 118 (Ohio 2006). Courts can find a waiver in many circumstances,", "paragraph_id": "para_259" }, { "text": "but it typically involves waiving a right “by express words or conduct that is inconsistent with", "paragraph_id": "para_260" }, { "text": "that right.” Gembarski v. PartSource, Inc., 134 N.E.3d 1175, 1180 (Ohio 2019).", "paragraph_id": "para_261" }, { "text": "Karen voluntarily waived Greg’s physician-patient privilege by signing the Authorization", "paragraph_id": "para_262" }, { "text": "for Release. That document notified Karen that the information disclosed would include Greg’s", "paragraph_id": "para_263" }, { "text": "“entire medical record and any other protected health information concerning [him].” R. 73-12,", "paragraph_id": "para_264" }, { "text": "PageID 5210. Karen argues that the waiver was not voluntary because she had no choice but to", "paragraph_id": "para_265" }, { "text": "sign it if she wanted her claim processed. But she did have another option—she could have sued", "paragraph_id": "para_266" }, { "text": "No. 23-3530 Frohn v. Globe Life and Accident Ins. Co. Page 10", "paragraph_id": "para_267" }, { "text": "to enforce her rights under the Policy. At a minimum, she could have made some effort to", "paragraph_id": "para_268" }, { "text": "contest Globe’s request for the medical records. But she did not. And the fact that Karen had to", "paragraph_id": "para_269" }, { "text": "“decide between . . . unattractive choices does not invalidate the waiver.” Cf. State v. Benton,", "paragraph_id": "para_270" }, { "text": "695 N.E.2d 757, 762 (Ohio 1998).", "paragraph_id": "para_271" }, { "text": "More to the point, the record demonstrates that Karen did not hesitate to disclose Greg’s", "paragraph_id": "para_272" }, { "text": "medical records. After executing the Authorization for Release and sending it to Globe, Karen", "paragraph_id": "para_273" }, { "text": "directed Greg’s medical provider to send Greg’s medical records to Globe. Considering this, the", "paragraph_id": "para_274" }, { "text": "undisputed evidence demonstrates that Karen voluntarily waived Greg’s physician-patient", "paragraph_id": "para_275" }, { "text": "privilege. Karen does not point to any coercion or duress that would invalidate her waiver of the", "paragraph_id": "para_276" }, { "text": "privilege.", "paragraph_id": "para_277" }, { "text": "Karen’s arguments in response do not change this conclusion.", "paragraph_id": "para_278" }, { "text": "1.", "paragraph_id": "para_279" }, { "text": "First, Karen argues that Globe had no right to request the medical-records release before", "paragraph_id": "para_280" }, { "text": "processing her claim without an express right to do so under the Policy. In the Policy, Globe", "paragraph_id": "para_281" }, { "text": "agreed to “pay the proceeds of this policy to the Beneficiary when We receive due proof that the", "paragraph_id": "para_282" }, { "text": "insured’s death occurred while this policy was in force (or not later than two months after receipt", "paragraph_id": "para_283" }, { "text": "of such proof).” Based on this provision, it seems that Karen was not required to execute the", "paragraph_id": "para_284" }, { "text": "medical-records release for Globe to process her claim. But she did. By doing so, she waived", "paragraph_id": "para_285" }, { "text": "any right to require Globe to pay her claim without reviewing Greg’s medical records.", "paragraph_id": "para_286" }, { "text": "We must presume that Karen knew of her rights under the Policy. In Ohio, the “parties to", "paragraph_id": "para_287" }, { "text": "contracts are presumed to have read and understood them and that a signatory is bound by a", "paragraph_id": "para_288" }, { "text": "contract that he or she willingly signed.” Preferred Cap., Inc. v. Power Eng’g Grp., Inc., 860", "paragraph_id": "para_289" }, { "text": "N.E.2d 741, 745 (Ohio 2007). When Globe asked Karen to sign the medical-records release", "paragraph_id": "para_290" }, { "text": "before it processed her claim, we presume she understood that Globe had no entitlement to the", "paragraph_id": "para_291" }, { "text": "records. Karen argues that Globe deceived her. But by stating that Karen “must” sign a medical", "paragraph_id": "para_292" }, { "text": "release for Globe “to evaluate this claim,” Globe may have been truthfully describing its internal", "paragraph_id": "para_293" }, { "text": "practices, even if they ran afoul of the contract. Karen does not argue that she misunderstood her", "paragraph_id": "para_294" }, { "text": "contractual rights, nor does she argue that she did not willingly sign the Policy. Accordingly,", "paragraph_id": "para_295" }, { "text": "No. 23-3530 Frohn v. Globe Life and Accident Ins. Co. Page 11", "paragraph_id": "para_296" }, { "text": "Karen “knew of [her] right to assert an argument or defense.” See Gembarski, 134 N.E.3d at", "paragraph_id": "para_297" }, { "text": "1181.", "paragraph_id": "para_298" }, { "text": "Karen thus waived her contractual rights. As mentioned above, “[a] waiver is a voluntary", "paragraph_id": "para_299" }, { "text": "relinquishment of a known right.” White Co. v. Canton Transp. Co., 2 N.E.2d 501, 505 (Ohio", "paragraph_id": "para_300" }, { "text": "1936) (quotation omitted). A waiver of a contractual right generally requires consideration", "paragraph_id": "para_301" }, { "text": "“unless the actions of the party making the waiver are such that [she] must be estopped from", "paragraph_id": "para_302" }, { "text": "insisting upon the right claimed to have been relinquished.” Mark-It Place Foods, Inc. v. New", "paragraph_id": "para_303" }, { "text": "Plan Excel Realty Tr., 804 N.E.2d 979, 1000 (Ohio Ct. App. 2004) (citation omitted). Karen’s", "paragraph_id": "para_304" }, { "text": "actions show that her contractual waiver did not require consideration.", "paragraph_id": "para_305" }, { "text": "Undisputed evidence shows Karen acted inconsistently with her right under the Policy to", "paragraph_id": "para_306" }, { "text": "have her claim processed without the release of Greg’s medical records. She sent Globe the", "paragraph_id": "para_307" }, { "text": "medical-records release, a claimant’s statement, Greg’s certified death certificate, and a", "paragraph_id": "para_308" }, { "text": "statement of physician (each containing Greg’s medical information) only two weeks after Globe", "paragraph_id": "para_309" }, { "text": "requested those documents. Karen then contacted TriHealth more than once to expedite the", "paragraph_id": "para_310" }, { "text": "production of Greg’s medical records. And she called Globe to ensure that it received the", "paragraph_id": "para_311" }, { "text": "medical records. Karen acted in such a way that she must be estopped from insisting on her right", "paragraph_id": "para_312" }, { "text": "to processing of her claim without Greg’s medical records.", "paragraph_id": "para_313" }, { "text": "2.", "paragraph_id": "para_314" }, { "text": "Second, Karen argues that a finding that she waived her husband’s physician-patient", "paragraph_id": "para_315" }, { "text": "privilege violates Ohio public policy. Karen points to Ohio authority condemning the practice of", "paragraph_id": "para_316" }, { "text": "offering low awards and forcing the insured to sue for full recovery—a practice that did not take", "paragraph_id": "para_317" }, { "text": "place here. She also points to the Ohio Supreme Court’s statement that “public policy favors”", "paragraph_id": "para_318" }, { "text": "physician-patient confidentiality. Biddle v. Warren Gen. Hosp., 715 N.E.2d 518, 524 (Ohio", "paragraph_id": "para_319" }, { "text": "1999) (quoting MacDonald v. Clinger, 84 A.D.2d 482, 487 (N.Y. App. Div. 1982)). But within", "paragraph_id": "para_320" }, { "text": "the same sentence, the Ohio Supreme Court said that “there is a countervailing public interest to", "paragraph_id": "para_321" }, { "text": "which [confidentiality] must yield in appropriate circumstances.” Id. Karen does not cite a", "paragraph_id": "para_322" }, { "text": "statement of Ohio public policy that addresses her circumstances, so her arguments on this point", "paragraph_id": "para_323" }, { "text": "fail.", "paragraph_id": "para_324" }, { "text": "No. 23-3530 Frohn v. Globe Life and Accident Ins. Co. Page 12", "paragraph_id": "para_325" }, { "text": "B.", "paragraph_id": "para_326" }, { "text": "Did the district court err by denying, in part, Karen’s motion for a protective order?", "paragraph_id": "para_327" }, { "text": "Karen sought a protective order to prevent Globe from obtaining information about Greg’s", "paragraph_id": "para_328" }, { "text": "medical history from Karen or any third party after she purported to revoke the medical release.", "paragraph_id": "para_329" }, { "text": "The district court denied in part Karen’s motion. Frohn, 2020 WL 13832151, at *1. Finding", "paragraph_id": "para_330" }, { "text": "Greg’s older medical records were not relevant to Globe’s defense, it held that Globe could not", "paragraph_id": "para_331" }, { "text": "seek Greg’s medical information from before January 10, 2013. Id. at *3. But the court also", "paragraph_id": "para_332" }, { "text": "held that Karen’s attempted revocation was “ineffective,” and that Globe could seek Greg’s", "paragraph_id": "para_333" }, { "text": "medical information “from January 10, 2013, onward.”4 Id. at *4–5.", "paragraph_id": "para_334" }, { "text": "The district court reached this decision after considering whether Karen voluntarily", "paragraph_id": "para_335" }, { "text": "waived Greg’s physician-patient privilege. Id. at *4. In the end, the court decided not to resolve", "paragraph_id": "para_336" }, { "text": "the physician-patient privilege issue in deciding a “discovery dispute.” Id. Karen argues on", "paragraph_id": "para_337" }, { "text": "appeal that the district court erred in denying her motion in part without first deciding whether", "paragraph_id": "para_338" }, { "text": "her waiver was voluntary. Even so, any such error would be harmless. In its order granting", "paragraph_id": "para_339" }, { "text": "summary judgment, the district court ultimately concluded that Karen “executed the waiver", "paragraph_id": "para_340" }, { "text": "voluntarily.” Frohn, 667 F. Supp. 3d at 726. For the reasons we explained in Part II.A. above,", "paragraph_id": "para_341" }, { "text": "we agree.", "paragraph_id": "para_342" }, { "text": "Karen also argues that the district court erred by finding that her attempted revocation of", "paragraph_id": "para_343" }, { "text": "the medical release was ineffective. She attempted to revoke her medical release waiver via", "paragraph_id": "para_344" }, { "text": "email, about one and a half years after executing it in the fall of 2018. And so, she argues that", "paragraph_id": "para_345" }, { "text": "even if she signed that document voluntarily, she withdrew her consent when her attorney", "paragraph_id": "para_346" }, { "text": "emailed Globe’s counsel to that effect in April 2020.", "paragraph_id": "para_347" }, { "text": "The district court “easily disposed of” this argument. Frohn, 2020 WL 13832151, at *4.", "paragraph_id": "para_348" }, { "text": "Globe’s Authorization for Release form states that although Karen could withdraw her waiver,", "paragraph_id": "para_349" }, { "text": "“any such ‘revocation is not effective to the extent that . . . [Globe] has a legal right to contest a", "paragraph_id": "para_350" }, { "text": "4We review the district court’s decision for an abuse of discretion. In re Ohio Execution Protocol Litig.,", "paragraph_id": "para_351" }, { "text": "845 F.3d 231, 235 (6th Cir. 2016). We will reverse a district court’s decision on a discovery matter “only if we are", "paragraph_id": "para_352" }, { "text": "firmly convinced of a mistake that affects substantial rights and amounts to more than harmless error.” Himes", "paragraph_id": "para_353" }, { "text": "v. United States, 645 F.3d 771, 782 (6th Cir. 2011) (quoting Dortch v. Fowler, 588 F.3d 396, 400 (6th Cir. 2009)).", "paragraph_id": "para_354" }, { "text": "No. 23-3530 Frohn v. Globe Life and Accident Ins. Co. Page 13", "paragraph_id": "para_355" }, { "text": "claim under an insurance policy or to contest the policy itself.’” Id. The district court found that", "paragraph_id": "para_356" }, { "text": "this “condition [was] met,” so it concluded that Karen’s “attempted withdrawal [was]", "paragraph_id": "para_357" }, { "text": "ineffective.” Id.", "paragraph_id": "para_358" }, { "text": "Karen argues this right-to-contest condition does not apply because it is inconsistent with", "paragraph_id": "para_359" }, { "text": "45 C.F.R. § 164.508(b)(5). That provision states:", "paragraph_id": "para_360" }, { "text": "An individual may revoke an authorization provided under this section at any", "paragraph_id": "para_361" }, { "text": "time, provided that the revocation is in writing, except to the extent that:", "paragraph_id": "para_362" }, { "text": "(i) The covered entity has taken action in reliance thereon; or", "paragraph_id": "para_363" }, { "text": "(ii) If the authorization was obtained as a condition of", "paragraph_id": "para_364" }, { "text": "obtaining insurance coverage, other law provides the", "paragraph_id": "para_365" }, { "text": "insurer with the right to contest a claim under the policy or", "paragraph_id": "para_366" }, { "text": "the policy itself.", "paragraph_id": "para_367" }, { "text": "The general rule of § 164.508 that requires authorization applies to “covered entit[ies].”", "paragraph_id": "para_368" }, { "text": "Id. § 164.508(a)(1). A covered entity is a health plan, a health care clearinghouse, or “[a] health", "paragraph_id": "para_369" }, { "text": "care provider who transmits any health information in electronic form in connection with a", "paragraph_id": "para_370" }, { "text": "transaction covered by this subchapter.” Id. § 160.103. So the authorization requirement and its", "paragraph_id": "para_371" }, { "text": "exceptions apply (if at all) to the medical providers that treated Greg, not to Globe. When the", "paragraph_id": "para_372" }, { "text": "medical providers relied on Karen’s waiver to disclose medical records before her revocation, the", "paragraph_id": "para_373" }, { "text": "reliance safe harbor in § 164.508(b)(5)(i) applied. And when medical providers disclosed", "paragraph_id": "para_374" }, { "text": "medical records after the revocation, § 164.508 posed no obstacle. That is because a different", "paragraph_id": "para_375" }, { "text": "regulation, § 164.512(e)(1)(ii), permits healthcare providers to respond to a discovery request", "paragraph_id": "para_376" }, { "text": "without any authorization, so long as the subject of the health information receives notice. That", "paragraph_id": "para_377" }, { "text": "regulation also permits disclosure without authorization in response to a court order. Id.", "paragraph_id": "para_378" }, { "text": "§ 164.512(e)(1)(i). Therefore, any error in construing the purported revocation was harmless", "paragraph_id": "para_379" }, { "text": "because Globe did not need Karen’s authorization under the regulations.", "paragraph_id": "para_380" }, { "text": "What is more, Karen has not identified what documents, if any, her revocation should", "paragraph_id": "para_381" }, { "text": "have prevented the district court from considering. Accordingly, the district court did not abuse", "paragraph_id": "para_382" }, { "text": "its discretion in denying in part Karen’s motion for protective order.", "paragraph_id": "para_383" }, { "text": "No. 23-3530 Frohn v. Globe Life and Accident Ins. Co. Page 14", "paragraph_id": "para_384" }, { "text": "C.", "paragraph_id": "para_385" }, { "text": "Did Globe have a right to rescind the Policy? Karen waived Greg’s physician-patient", "paragraph_id": "para_386" }, { "text": "privilege by signing the Authorization for Release, entitling Globe to Greg’s medical records.", "paragraph_id": "para_387" }, { "text": "We now consider whether Globe could rescind the Policy based on what it learned from those", "paragraph_id": "para_388" }, { "text": "records.", "paragraph_id": "para_389" }, { "text": "Globe rescinded the Policy under Ohio Revised Code § 3911.06. That statute provides:", "paragraph_id": "para_390" }, { "text": "No answer to any interrogatory made by an applicant in his application for a", "paragraph_id": "para_391" }, { "text": "policy shall bar the right to recover upon any policy issued thereon, or be used in", "paragraph_id": "para_392" }, { "text": "evidence at any trial to recover upon such policy, unless it is clearly proved that", "paragraph_id": "para_393" }, { "text": "such answer is willfully false, that it was fraudulently made, that it is material,", "paragraph_id": "para_394" }, { "text": "and that it induced the company to issue the policy, that but for such answer the", "paragraph_id": "para_395" }, { "text": "policy would not have been issued, and that the agent or company had no", "paragraph_id": "para_396" }, { "text": "knowledge of the falsity or fraud of such answer.", "paragraph_id": "para_397" }, { "text": "It allows an insurer to void a policy if an applicant has made material misrepresentations in the", "paragraph_id": "para_398" }, { "text": "insurance application. Ramsey v. Penn Mut. Life Ins. Co., 787 F.3d 813, 821 (6th Cir. 2015). To", "paragraph_id": "para_399" }, { "text": "that end, the insurer must “clearly prove”: (1) the applicant gave a willfully false answer in the", "paragraph_id": "para_400" }, { "text": "insurance application, (2) the applicant made such answer fraudulently, (3) but for the false", "paragraph_id": "para_401" }, { "text": "answer, the insurer would not have issued the policy, and (4) the insurer did not know that the", "paragraph_id": "para_402" }, { "text": "answer was false. Jenkins v. Metro. Life Ins. Co., 173 N.E.2d 122, 125 (Ohio 1961).", "paragraph_id": "para_403" }, { "text": "Assuming an insurer can prove an applicant gave a material and objectively false answer,", "paragraph_id": "para_404" }, { "text": "the law presumes she did so willfully and fraudulently. See Lyttle v. Pac. Mut. Life Ins. Co. of", "paragraph_id": "para_405" }, { "text": "Cal., 72 F.2d 140, 142 (6th Cir. 1934) (interpreting the predecessor statute to § 3911.06). This", "paragraph_id": "para_406" }, { "text": "means an insurer seeking relief under § 3911.06 is not required to prove fraudulent intent.", "paragraph_id": "para_407" }, { "text": "Ramsey, 787 F.3d at 821 (citation omitted). The applicant can rebut the presumption by", "paragraph_id": "para_408" }, { "text": "providing some evidence “to indicate that [she] made an honest mistake.” Jenkins, 173 N.E.2d", "paragraph_id": "para_409" }, { "text": "at 126.", "paragraph_id": "para_410" }, { "text": "Globe argues that Karen gave objectively false answers to questions 2(a) and 2(b) in the", "paragraph_id": "para_411" }, { "text": "Policy’s application by failing to disclose Greg’s history of liver function abnormality and", "paragraph_id": "para_412" }, { "text": "depression. We consider Karen’s “no” answers to the interrogatories at issue in turn. Because", "paragraph_id": "para_413" }, { "text": "we decide these issues in Globe’s favor, we need not consider Globe’s other arguments.", "paragraph_id": "para_414" }, { "text": "No. 23-3530 Frohn v. Globe Life and Accident Ins. Co. Page 15", "paragraph_id": "para_415" }, { "text": "1.", "paragraph_id": "para_416" }, { "text": "Question 2(a) asked Karen: “In the past 3 years, has [Greg] been diagnosed or treated by", "paragraph_id": "para_417" }, { "text": "a member of the medical profession for . . . [c]ancer, coronary artery disease, or any disease or", "paragraph_id": "para_418" }, { "text": "disorder of the heart, brain, or liver?” Karen answered “no.” She also signed the application on", "paragraph_id": "para_419" }, { "text": "January 10, 2018, so the relevant three-year period dates to January 10, 2015. This means Globe", "paragraph_id": "para_420" }, { "text": "must show that a medical professional “diagnosed or treated” Greg for an enumerated “disease”", "paragraph_id": "para_421" }, { "text": "or “disorder” during that timeframe. Globe argues that Karen’s answer to question 2(a) was", "paragraph_id": "para_422" }, { "text": "objectively false because Greg had, during the relevant period, been diagnosed with and treated", "paragraph_id": "para_423" }, { "text": "for liver function abnormality.", "paragraph_id": "para_424" }, { "text": "This requires us to interpret question 2(a), which is a part of the Policy. The point of", "paragraph_id": "para_425" }, { "text": "contract interpretation “is to discover and effectuate the intent of the parties.” Graham", "paragraph_id": "para_426" }, { "text": "v. Drydock Coal Co., 667 N.E.2d 949, 952 (Ohio 1996). And courts presume that the intent of", "paragraph_id": "para_427" }, { "text": "the parties resides “in the language they chose to use in their agreement.” Id. Courts should,", "paragraph_id": "para_428" }, { "text": "moreover, “honor the plain meaning of the policy’s language unless another meaning is clearly", "paragraph_id": "para_429" }, { "text": "apparent from the contents of the policy.” Ohio N. Univ. v. Charles Constr. Servs., Inc.,", "paragraph_id": "para_430" }, { "text": "120 N.E.3d 762, 766 (Ohio 2018) (internal quotation marks omitted). “It is common practice to", "paragraph_id": "para_431" }, { "text": "resort to dictionaries as the best source for establishing the ordinary meaning of contractual", "paragraph_id": "para_432" }, { "text": "terms.” Rite Aid of Ohio, Inc. v. Marc’s Variety Store, Inc., 638 N.E.2d 1056, 1061 (Ohio Ct.", "paragraph_id": "para_433" }, { "text": "App. 1994). Ultimately, the goal is to determine “not what the insurer intended by his words, but", "paragraph_id": "para_434" }, { "text": "what the ordinary reader and purchaser would have understood them to mean.” Andersen", "paragraph_id": "para_435" }, { "text": "v. Highland House Co., 757 N.E.2d 329, 334 (Ohio 2001) (emphasis and quotation omitted).", "paragraph_id": "para_436" }, { "text": "Start with the definitions of “diagnosed” and “treated”—both actions that question 2(a)", "paragraph_id": "para_437" }, { "text": "says must be done by a medical professional. Oxford English Dictionary defines “diagnose” as", "paragraph_id": "para_438" }, { "text": "“[t]o make a diagnosis of (a disease), to distinguish and determine its nature from its symptoms;", "paragraph_id": "para_439" }, { "text": "No. 23-3530 Frohn v. Globe Life and Accident Ins. Co. Page 16", "paragraph_id": "para_440" }, { "text": "to recognize and identify by careful observation.”5 It defines “treat” as “[t]o deal with or operate", "paragraph_id": "para_441" }, { "text": "upon (a disease or affection, a part of the body, or a person) in order to relieve or cure.”6", "paragraph_id": "para_442" }, { "text": "Next consider the definitions of “disease” and “disorder”—both ailments of the insured", "paragraph_id": "para_443" }, { "text": "that, if diagnosed or treated in the past three years, an applicant must report. Oxford defines", "paragraph_id": "para_444" }, { "text": "“disease” as a “[s]ickness (in a person, animal, or plant).”7 Oxford defines “disorder” as a", "paragraph_id": "para_445" }, { "text": "“[d]isturbance of the function, and sometimes the structure, of the body, a part or system of the", "paragraph_id": "para_446" }, { "text": "body, or the mind[,]” or “an illness or condition that disrupts normal physical or mental", "paragraph_id": "para_447" }, { "text": "functions.”8", "paragraph_id": "para_448" }, { "text": "a.", "paragraph_id": "para_449" }, { "text": "Karen’s “no” answer to question 2(a) was objectively false. Dr. Budke, Greg’s", "paragraph_id": "para_450" }, { "text": "physician, testified that he diagnosed Greg with liver function abnormality in 2015, 2016, and", "paragraph_id": "para_451" }, { "text": "2017. And Dr. Budke used an International Classification of Diseases (“ICD”) code in Greg’s", "paragraph_id": "para_452" }, { "text": "2015 medical records under the heading “Visit Diagnoses.” “The ICD is a classification system", "paragraph_id": "para_453" }, { "text": "developed collaboratively between the World Health Organization (WHO) and 10 international", "paragraph_id": "para_454" }, { "text": "centers so that the medical terms reported by physicians . . . can be grouped together for", "paragraph_id": "para_455" }, { "text": "statistical purposes.”9 And medical providers use ICD codes to get reimbursed by insurance", "paragraph_id": "para_456" }, { "text": "companies for the care they provide their patients.10 In Greg’s 2015 medical records,", "paragraph_id": "para_457" }, { "text": "5Diagnose, OXFORD ENGLISH DICTIONARY (online ed.) https://www.oed.com/dictionary/diagnose_v?tab", "paragraph_id": "para_458" }, { "text": "=meaning_and_use#6915039 (last visited March 5, 2024).", "paragraph_id": "para_459" }, { "text": "6Treat, OXFORD ENGLISH DICTIONARY (online ed.) https://www.oed.com/dictionarytreat_v?tab=meaning", "paragraph_id": "para_460" }, { "text": "_and_use#17737795 (last visited March 5, 2024).", "paragraph_id": "para_461" }, { "text": "7Disease, OXFORD ENGLISH DICTIONARY (online ed.) https://www.oed.com/dictionary/disease_n?tab=mea", "paragraph_id": "para_462" }, { "text": "ning_and_use#6535961 (last visited March 5, 2024).", "paragraph_id": "para_463" }, { "text": "8Disorder, OXFORD ENGLISH DICTIONARY (online ed.) https://www.oed.com/dictionary/disorder_n?tab=m", "paragraph_id": "para_464" }, { "text": "eaning_and_use#6602841 (last visited March 5, 2024).", "paragraph_id": "para_465" }, { "text": "9U.S. DEP’T OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVS. ET AL., INTERNATIONAL CLASSIFICATION OF DISEASES 10TH", "paragraph_id": "para_466" }, { "text": "REVISION (ICD-10) 1 (2001), https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/dvs/icd10fct.pdf.", "paragraph_id": "para_467" }, { "text": "10Natalie Ficek, The Consequences for Private Practice Physicians After Transitioning from ICD-9 to", "paragraph_id": "para_468" }, { "text": "ICD-10, 19 DEPAUL J. HEALTH CARE L. 1, 2 (2017).", "paragraph_id": "para_469" }, { "text": "No. 23-3530 Frohn v. Globe Life and Accident Ins. Co. Page 17", "paragraph_id": "para_470" }, { "text": "Dr. Budke listed ICD code 573.9—the “medical code for the disorder of the liver.”11 R. 51,", "paragraph_id": "para_471" }, { "text": "PageID 1388–89. Dr. Budke also treated Greg for his liver function abnormality, as he cared for", "paragraph_id": "para_472" }, { "text": "this condition medically through periodic liver function tests and by directing Greg to reduce his", "paragraph_id": "para_473" }, { "text": "alcohol consumption. At a minimum, liver function abnormality is a “disorder” of the liver. Dr.", "paragraph_id": "para_474" }, { "text": "Budke classified it as such, medical records from the relevant timeframe show that Greg had", "paragraph_id": "para_475" }, { "text": "elevated liver enzymes, and information that Globe’s underwriters consult explains that injury to", "paragraph_id": "para_476" }, { "text": "the liver causes such abnormalities.", "paragraph_id": "para_477" }, { "text": "Karen argues that liver function abnormality is not a liver “disease” or “disorder.” She", "paragraph_id": "para_478" }, { "text": "points to a 2013 assessment by Dr. Budke12 that she argues “demonstrates that ‘liver function", "paragraph_id": "para_479" }, { "text": "abnormality’ is merely shorthand for abnormal liver function test results, which are not", "paragraph_id": "para_480" }, { "text": "themselves a ‘disease or disorder’ of the liver but rather a possible symptom of a liver disease or", "paragraph_id": "para_481" }, { "text": "disorder.” D. 23 at p.42. Although liver function abnormality might be a symptom of another", "paragraph_id": "para_482" }, { "text": "disease, as Dr. Budke acknowledges, it is also a condition, according to ICD 573.9, recognized", "paragraph_id": "para_483" }, { "text": "as a disorder of the liver.", "paragraph_id": "para_484" }, { "text": "Karen makes two additional arguments on this point. First, she contends that Globe’s", "paragraph_id": "para_485" }, { "text": "“Uninsurable List” does not mention liver function abnormality as a “disease” or “disorder.”", "paragraph_id": "para_486" }, { "text": "And this is evidence, according to Karen, that courts routinely look to when determining whether", "paragraph_id": "para_487" }, { "text": "a life insurance applicant made a false statement. Second, she points to the initial review of her", "paragraph_id": "para_488" }, { "text": "claim by Globe’s claims department. Because it did not at first believe that Karen should have", "paragraph_id": "para_489" }, { "text": "answered “yes” to question 2(a), she argues her “no” answer was not objectively false.", "paragraph_id": "para_490" }, { "text": "Both arguments miss the mark. It is true that Karen cites a portion of Globe’s", "paragraph_id": "para_491" }, { "text": "underwriting guidelines that does not list liver function abnormality as a “disease” or “disorder”", "paragraph_id": "para_492" }, { "text": "of the liver. But Nicholas Danner, Globe’s vice president of underwriting and new business,", "paragraph_id": "para_493" }, { "text": "testified that Globe’s Uninsurable List is not exhaustive. Elsewhere, guidelines that Globe’s", "paragraph_id": "para_494" }, { "text": "11See also U.S. DEP’T OF HEALTH & HUM. SERVS., ICD-9-CM TABULAR LIST OF DISEASES (FY12) 399", "paragraph_id": "para_495" }, { "text": "(2011), https://ftp.cdc.gov/pub/Health_Statistics/NCHS/Publications/ICD9-CM/2011/Dtab12.zip (listing 573.9 as", "paragraph_id": "para_496" }, { "text": "“[u]nspecified disorder of liver”).", "paragraph_id": "para_497" }, { "text": "12Under the heading “Assessment” Dr. Budke wrote “Elevated [Liver Function Tests]-no [symptoms] of", "paragraph_id": "para_498" }, { "text": "liver disease.”", "paragraph_id": "para_499" }, { "text": "No. 23-3530 Frohn v. Globe Life and Accident Ins. Co. Page 18", "paragraph_id": "para_500" }, { "text": "underwriters use to assess risk discuss “elevated” liver enzymes—including ALT and AST—and", "paragraph_id": "para_501" }, { "text": "explain that “[t]he likelihood of significant liver disease increases with the number and", "paragraph_id": "para_502" }, { "text": "magnitude of liver enzyme abnormalities.” R. 67-3, PageID 4585. This information provides", "paragraph_id": "para_503" }, { "text": "further that “injury to the liver” and “cell death” can cause the liver to “release enzymes” into a", "paragraph_id": "para_504" }, { "text": "person’s blood, and “[w]hen the liver is injured, abnormal blood serum concentrations of some", "paragraph_id": "para_505" }, { "text": "but not necessarily all of the liver enzymes may occur.” Id. Even more to the point, Danner", "paragraph_id": "para_506" }, { "text": "testified that under these guidelines, “liver function abnormality” is a “disorder of the liver.”", "paragraph_id": "para_507" }, { "text": "R. 73, PageID 5072–74.", "paragraph_id": "para_508" }, { "text": "Nor does Globe’s initial determination about Karen’s answer to question 2(a) change the", "paragraph_id": "para_509" }, { "text": "calculus. Globe’s denial letter referred only to Karen’s “no” answer to questions 2(b) and 3; it", "paragraph_id": "para_510" }, { "text": "said nothing about her answer to question 2(a). But the letter also informed Karen that Globe", "paragraph_id": "para_511" }, { "text": "was not “waiving [its] right to obtain additional medical records or to raise additional grounds", "paragraph_id": "para_512" }, { "text": "for recission at a later date and to use any information contained in these records to defend [its]", "paragraph_id": "para_513" }, { "text": "position.” R. 67-3, PageID 4540.", "paragraph_id": "para_514" }, { "text": "b.", "paragraph_id": "para_515" }, { "text": "Because Globe has shown Karen’s “no” answer to question 2(a) was objectively false,", "paragraph_id": "para_516" }, { "text": "given Greg’s liver function abnormality, the law presumes Karen answered that question", "paragraph_id": "para_517" }, { "text": "willfully and fraudulently. See Lyttle, 72 F.2d at 142. Karen can rebut this presumption by", "paragraph_id": "para_518" }, { "text": "providing some evidence “to indicate that [she] made an honest mistake.” Jenkins, 173 N.E.2d", "paragraph_id": "para_519" }, { "text": "at 126.", "paragraph_id": "para_520" }, { "text": "Karen’s evidence does not show that she made an honest mistake about Greg’s liver", "paragraph_id": "para_521" }, { "text": "disorder. Ample record evidence demonstrates that Karen knew Greg had been diagnosed with", "paragraph_id": "para_522" }, { "text": "or treated for liver function abnormality. Karen went to “virtually every one of [Greg’s] medical", "paragraph_id": "para_523" }, { "text": "appointments.” R. 50, PageID 846. Although we do not know what was discussed at these", "paragraph_id": "para_524" }, { "text": "visits, we do know that many of the records documenting these visits include Dr. Budke’s", "paragraph_id": "para_525" }, { "text": "diagnosis of Greg’s liver function abnormality. And Karen testified that she checked her", "paragraph_id": "para_526" }, { "text": "husband’s online lab results anytime “he had lab work” done. Id. at 815. These lab results", "paragraph_id": "para_527" }, { "text": "would include the results of Greg’s elevated liver enzymes.", "paragraph_id": "para_528" }, { "text": "No. 23-3530 Frohn v. Globe Life and Accident Ins. Co. Page 19", "paragraph_id": "para_529" }, { "text": "Karen also spoke with Dr. Budke’s office about Greg’s liver function abnormality on", "paragraph_id": "para_530" }, { "text": "multiple occasions. Greg’s records indicate that Dr. Budke’s office spoke with Karen over the", "paragraph_id": "para_531" }, { "text": "phone in July 2015 and gave her the results of Greg’s latest tests. Dr. Budke’s notes about those", "paragraph_id": "para_532" }, { "text": "results indicate that Greg’s “[l]abs show some improvement in liver function", "paragraph_id": "para_533" }, { "text": "elevation. Otherwise look OK. Need to continue to work on reducing alcohol intake.” R. 50-10,", "paragraph_id": "para_534" }, { "text": "PageID 1217. And in January 2017, an employee again spoke with Karen over the phone and", "paragraph_id": "para_535" }, { "text": "gave her Greg’s liver function test results. Dr. Budke’s notes say that Greg’s “[l]abs show that", "paragraph_id": "para_536" }, { "text": "his liver tests are elevated again. Other labs look OK.” R. 51-8, PageID 1679.", "paragraph_id": "para_537" }, { "text": "Despite this, Karen argues that “no evidence” exists that she was ever informed that her", "paragraph_id": "para_538" }, { "text": "husband had been diagnosed or treated for a liver disease or disorder. We disagree. Diagnosis", "paragraph_id": "para_539" }, { "text": "aside, Dr. Budke’s periodic liver function tests and advice to drink less fit the plain meaning of", "paragraph_id": "para_540" }, { "text": "“treat” as the tests and advice dealt with Greg’s liver to “relieve or cure.” And this is a meaning", "paragraph_id": "para_541" }, { "text": "that an “ordinary reader” of question 2(a) “would have understood.” See Andersen, 757 N.E.2d", "paragraph_id": "para_542" }, { "text": "at 334 (emphasis omitted). An ordinary reader would also understand that “disorder” means “an", "paragraph_id": "para_543" }, { "text": "illness or condition that disrupts normal physical or mental functions.” All in all, Karen knew", "paragraph_id": "para_544" }, { "text": "that Dr. Budke was treating Greg for a liver disease or disorder. Cf. Sambles v. Metro. Life Ins.", "paragraph_id": "para_545" }, { "text": "Co., 108 N.E.2d 321, 324 (Ohio 1952) (finding it unreasonable to infer that an insured patient", "paragraph_id": "para_546" }, { "text": "did not know he was being treated for a serious ailment where evidence showed he visited his", "paragraph_id": "para_547" }, { "text": "physician before and after applying for life insurance).", "paragraph_id": "para_548" }, { "text": "Karen testified that she could not recall her conversations with Dr. Budke or his office", "paragraph_id": "para_549" }, { "text": "about Greg’s elevated liver function tests. Still, when presented with records of one of those", "paragraph_id": "para_550" }, { "text": "conversations, she conceded that the records said it happened. Karen has failed to create a triable", "paragraph_id": "para_551" }, { "text": "issue about whether she spoke with Dr. Budke’s office. Karen’s testimony that she could", "paragraph_id": "para_552" }, { "text": "not remember these conversations does not directly refute Globe’s evidence that they occurred.", "paragraph_id": "para_553" }, { "text": "Cf. Wysong v. City of Heath, 260 F. App’x 848, 857 (6th Cir. 2008) (finding summary judgment", "paragraph_id": "para_554" }, { "text": "appropriate when plaintiff “admitted in his deposition that he [did] not deny” fighting with", "paragraph_id": "para_555" }, { "text": "officers, but only claimed that “he [did] not remember what happened”).", "paragraph_id": "para_556" }, { "text": "At bottom, Globe presented evidence that Karen’s “no” answer to question 2(a) was", "paragraph_id": "para_557" }, { "text": "objectively false considering Greg’s liver disorder. And Karen has not provided any independent", "paragraph_id": "para_558" }, { "text": "No. 23-3530 Frohn v. Globe Life and Accident Ins. Co. Page 20", "paragraph_id": "para_559" }, { "text": "facts to support her arguments that she made an honest mistake and really believed her husband", "paragraph_id": "para_560" }, { "text": "was not treated for this condition. Globe therefore has clearly established that Karen willfully", "paragraph_id": "para_561" }, { "text": "and fraudulently answered question 2(a).", "paragraph_id": "para_562" }, { "text": "2.", "paragraph_id": "para_563" }, { "text": "Question 2(b) asked Karen: “In the past 3 years, has [Greg] been diagnosed or treated by", "paragraph_id": "para_564" }, { "text": "a member of the medical profession for . . . [a] mental or nervous disorder . . . .” Again, Karen", "paragraph_id": "para_565" }, { "text": "answered “no.” Globe argues that Karen’s answer to question 2(b) was objectively false because", "paragraph_id": "para_566" }, { "text": "Greg had, during the relevant three years, been diagnosed with and treated for depression. Karen", "paragraph_id": "para_567" }, { "text": "disagrees. And she argues that even if her answer to question 2(b) was objectively false given", "paragraph_id": "para_568" }, { "text": "Greg’s depression, she made an honest mistake when she told Globe her husband did not have a", "paragraph_id": "para_569" }, { "text": "mental or nervous disorder.", "paragraph_id": "para_570" }, { "text": "a.", "paragraph_id": "para_571" }, { "text": "Karen’s “no” answer to question 2(b) was objectively false with respect to Greg’s", "paragraph_id": "para_572" }, { "text": "depression. Around 2016, Karen “had conversations with Dr. Budke about” the medication Greg", "paragraph_id": "para_573" }, { "text": "took for his depression. And Greg’s medical records demonstrate that doctors diagnosed him", "paragraph_id": "para_574" }, { "text": "with depressive disorder and prescribed Cymbalta. We have opined that depression is a “mental", "paragraph_id": "para_575" }, { "text": "disorder.” Buxton v. Halter, 246 F.3d 762, 763 n.1 (6th Cir. 2001) (citing the Social Security", "paragraph_id": "para_576" }, { "text": "Administration’s “Listing of Impairments” at 20 C.F.R. Pt. 404, Subpt. P, App. 1 (12.04)). So", "paragraph_id": "para_577" }, { "text": "has the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.13 And Globe’s underwriting guidelines", "paragraph_id": "para_578" }, { "text": "classify depression as a “Mental/Nervous Disorder.” R. 67-3, PageID 4542.", "paragraph_id": "para_579" }, { "text": "The only argument Karen has in response is one we have already rejected. She points to", "paragraph_id": "para_580" }, { "text": "Globe’s denial letter that did not include depression as a reason it believed Karen falsely", "paragraph_id": "para_581" }, { "text": "answered question 2(b). Even so, Globe expressly informed Karen that it was not waiving its", "paragraph_id": "para_582" }, { "text": "right to raise additional reasons for denying her claim.", "paragraph_id": "para_583" }, { "text": "13Mental Health and Mental Disorders, U.S. DEP’T HEALTH & HUM. SERVS.", "paragraph_id": "para_584" }, { "text": "https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/mental-health-and-mental-disorders (last", "paragraph_id": "para_585" }, { "text": "accessed Jan. 6, 2024) (“Mental disorders like depression and anxiety can affect people’s ability to take part in", "paragraph_id": "para_586" }, { "text": "healthy behaviors.”).", "paragraph_id": "para_587" }, { "text": "No. 23-3530 Frohn v. Globe Life and Accident Ins. Co. Page 21", "paragraph_id": "para_588" }, { "text": "b.", "paragraph_id": "para_589" }, { "text": "Karen cannot show that she honestly believed depression was not a mental disorder. At", "paragraph_id": "para_590" }, { "text": "one point, Karen testified that she did not know whether depression was a mental disorder. But", "paragraph_id": "para_591" }, { "text": "when asked if she remembered discussions about her “husband’s mental condition, whether he", "paragraph_id": "para_592" }, { "text": "was depressed,” she responded “[y]es.” R. 50, PageID 837. She argues that this is not proof", "paragraph_id": "para_593" }, { "text": "that she understood depression to be a mental disorder when she submitted the Policy", "paragraph_id": "para_594" }, { "text": "application. Yet the law expects Karen to understand the Policy as the “ordinary reader” would.", "paragraph_id": "para_595" }, { "text": "See Andersen, 757 N.E.2d at 334 (quotation omitted). With no other evidence that she did not", "paragraph_id": "para_596" }, { "text": "honestly believe depression was a mental disorder, Karen has failed to rebut the presumption that", "paragraph_id": "para_597" }, { "text": "she answered question 2(b) willfully and fraudulently. See Jenkins, 173 N.E.2d at 126.", "paragraph_id": "para_598" }, { "text": "3.", "paragraph_id": "para_599" }, { "text": "We must now consider whether Globe would have issued the Policy, but for Karen’s", "paragraph_id": "para_600" }, { "text": "“no” answers to questions 2(a) and 2(b). Globe issued Greg its “Sub-Standard A” policy based", "paragraph_id": "para_601" }, { "text": "on Karen’s application and the underwriting call. Danner declared that had Karen answered", "paragraph_id": "para_602" }, { "text": "questions 2(a) and 2(b) honestly, Globe would have issued Greg a different policy or no policy at", "paragraph_id": "para_603" }, { "text": "all.", "paragraph_id": "para_604" }, { "text": "Is it enough that Globe would have issued Greg a different policy rather than no policy at", "paragraph_id": "para_605" }, { "text": "all? Ohio law seems to answer this question in the affirmative. An insurer cannot refuse a claim", "paragraph_id": "para_606" }, { "text": "under a policy based on an applicant’s answer to an interrogatory unless the answer “induced the", "paragraph_id": "para_607" }, { "text": "company to issue the policy” and “but for such answer the policy would not have been issued.”", "paragraph_id": "para_608" }, { "text": "Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 3911.06 (emphasis added). Jenkins held that an insurer can prove its", "paragraph_id": "para_609" }, { "text": "defense under § 3911.06 by clearly showing that, but for an applicant’s answers, “the policy", "paragraph_id": "para_610" }, { "text": "would not have been issued.” 173 N.E.2d at 125 (emphasis added). Ohio’s lower courts agree.", "paragraph_id": "para_611" }, { "text": "Nationwide Ins. Enter. v. Progressive Specialty Ins. Co., No. 01AP-1223, 2002 WL 1338791, at", "paragraph_id": "para_612" }, { "text": "*5 (Ohio Ct. App. June 20, 2002) (finding that a party could not “demonstrate that Progressive", "paragraph_id": "para_613" }, { "text": "would have issued the same policy with the same terms and conditions if it had known of the", "paragraph_id": "para_614" }, { "text": "allegedly fraudulent answer prior to issuing the policy”); Martin v. Atlanta Life Ins. Co., No.", "paragraph_id": "para_615" }, { "text": "75AP-163, 1975 WL 181648, at *3 (Ohio Ct. App. Aug. 7, 1975) (describing the test in Jenkins", "paragraph_id": "para_616" }, { "text": "No. 23-3530 Frohn v. Globe Life and Accident Ins. Co. Page 22", "paragraph_id": "para_617" }, { "text": "as “whether a reasonably prudent underwriter would have, had the fact misrepresented been", "paragraph_id": "para_618" }, { "text": "communicated at the time of effecting the insurance, rejected the risk or charged an increased", "paragraph_id": "para_619" }, { "text": "premium”). Therefore, we conclude that Globe need demonstrate only that it would not have", "paragraph_id": "para_620" }, { "text": "issued Greg the same Sub-Standard A policy had Karen provided honest answers.", "paragraph_id": "para_621" }, { "text": "But for Karen’s false application answers, Globe would not have issued Greg the same", "paragraph_id": "para_622" }, { "text": "policy. As a reminder, Karen answered “yes” to question 3—that Greg had a “chronic illness or", "paragraph_id": "para_623" }, { "text": "condition which requires periodic medical care.” Danner stated that this answer required Globe", "paragraph_id": "para_624" }, { "text": "to apply “100 debits” to Greg’s application and issue him a “Sub-Standard A policy in lieu of the", "paragraph_id": "para_625" }, { "text": "Standard Policy.” R. 67-1, PageID 4153–54. He said further that even if Globe ignored Greg’s", "paragraph_id": "para_626" }, { "text": "other ailments, had Karen disclosed Greg’s “depression, the starting point would have been a", "paragraph_id": "para_627" }, { "text": "Sub-Standard A policy, with the disclosure of the disability moving the classification to a Sub-", "paragraph_id": "para_628" }, { "text": "Standard B policy, rather than the Sub-Standard A policy that actually issued.” Id. at 4154.", "paragraph_id": "para_629" }, { "text": "What is more, “premiums for policies assigned to Sub-Standard B are higher than policies", "paragraph_id": "para_630" }, { "text": "assigned to Sub-Standard A.” Id. at 4144.", "paragraph_id": "para_631" }, { "text": "Karen points to evidence that Globe may have issued Greg the same Sub-Standard A", "paragraph_id": "para_632" }, { "text": "policy even if she disclosed his depression. Indeed, portions of Globe’s guidelines seem to", "paragraph_id": "para_633" }, { "text": "contradict the math Danner apparently used to conclude that Globe would have issued Greg a", "paragraph_id": "para_634" }, { "text": "Sub-Standard B policy if the company knew about his disability and his depression. But Danner", "paragraph_id": "para_635" }, { "text": "also indicated that Globe’s use of “debit points is discretionary” and that they are “not rigidly", "paragraph_id": "para_636" }, { "text": "applied.” Id. at 4147. Danner further explained that Globe’s underwriters also pose “follow-on", "paragraph_id": "para_637" }, { "text": "questions” to the applicant to assess risk. Id. at 4145–46.", "paragraph_id": "para_638" }, { "text": "Globe did that here. According to Danner, if Karen had disclosed Greg’s liver function", "paragraph_id": "para_639" }, { "text": "abnormality and depression, Globe would have asked her a litany of follow-up questions.", "paragraph_id": "para_640" }, { "text": "Assuming Karen answered the follow-up questions truthfully, the record demonstrates what", "paragraph_id": "para_641" }, { "text": "those answers should have included. For example, if Karen disclosed either Greg’s depression or", "paragraph_id": "para_642" }, { "text": "liver disorder, Globe would have asked additional questions about Greg’s alcohol use. Globe’s", "paragraph_id": "para_643" }, { "text": "guidelines provide that “an application for a proposed insured abusing alcohol while also taking", "paragraph_id": "para_644" }, { "text": "Mental Nervous drugs, such as for depression, needs to be rejected.” Id. at 4156. Danner stated", "paragraph_id": "para_645" }, { "text": "that Globe would have considered Greg’s undisputed alcohol consumption as “alcohol abuse.”", "paragraph_id": "para_646" }, { "text": "No. 23-3530 Frohn v. Globe Life and Accident Ins. Co. Page 23", "paragraph_id": "para_647" }, { "text": "Id. at 4162–63. It is also undisputed that Greg took Cymbalta, a “Mental Nervous” drug, during", "paragraph_id": "para_648" }, { "text": "the relevant three-year period. So according to Danner, Globe would have rejected Karen’s", "paragraph_id": "para_649" }, { "text": "application outright.", "paragraph_id": "para_650" }, { "text": "Karen next argues that the Policy and Ohio law prohibit Globe from using Karen’s", "paragraph_id": "para_651" }, { "text": "answers to follow-up questions in its defense. But Globe did not use Karen’s answers to follow-", "paragraph_id": "para_652" }, { "text": "up questions in its defense. It used Karen’s “no” answers to questions 2(a) and 2(b) to show how", "paragraph_id": "para_653" }, { "text": "her nondisclosures impeded its underwriting process. Globe therefore has shown that those", "paragraph_id": "para_654" }, { "text": "nondisclosures were material to its risk evaluation.", "paragraph_id": "para_655" }, { "text": "With all this in mind, Globe has provided evidence that it would have, at minimum,", "paragraph_id": "para_656" }, { "text": "issued her a different policy but for Karen’s nondisclosures in her application. And Karen has", "paragraph_id": "para_657" }, { "text": "not produced evidence to genuinely dispute these facts.", "paragraph_id": "para_658" }, { "text": "4.", "paragraph_id": "para_659" }, { "text": "Did Globe have knowledge of Greg’s ailments when Karen completed the Policy", "paragraph_id": "para_660" }, { "text": "application? No. And Karen does not argue otherwise.", "paragraph_id": "para_661" }, { "text": "* * *", "paragraph_id": "para_662" }, { "text": "In sum, Globe has clearly demonstrated it is entitled to rescind the Policy under", "paragraph_id": "para_663" }, { "text": "§ 3911.06. This is the only conclusion that a reasonable factfinder could reach. Globe’s defense", "paragraph_id": "para_664" }, { "text": "therefore bars Karen’s breach-of-contract and bad-faith claims. See Zoppo v. Homestead Ins.", "paragraph_id": "para_665" }, { "text": "Co., 644 N.E.2d 397, 400 (Ohio 1994).", "paragraph_id": "para_666" }, { "text": "D.", "paragraph_id": "para_667" }, { "text": "Karen also challenges the district court’s order denying her request to redact Greg’s", "paragraph_id": "para_668" }, { "text": "medical information from its summary-judgment order. But in both her principal and reply", "paragraph_id": "para_669" }, { "text": "briefs, Karen provides no support for her argument beyond claiming that she did not waive", "paragraph_id": "para_670" }, { "text": "Greg’s statutory right to privacy based on her earlier arguments. As a result, we agree with", "paragraph_id": "para_671" }, { "text": "Globe that we do not need to consider this argument. Fed. R. App. P. 28(a)(8)(A); United States", "paragraph_id": "para_672" }, { "text": "v. Meda, 812 F.3d 502, 519 (6th Cir. 2015) (“No citation was provided to support this", "paragraph_id": "para_673" }, { "text": "proposition. Thus, it need not be addressed.”); Shane Grp., Inc. v. Blue Cross Blue Shield of", "paragraph_id": "para_674" }, { "text": "No. 23-3530 Frohn v. Globe Life and Accident Ins. Co. 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