We reported here that the Hawaii Supreme Court granted certiorari in Kim v. Liberty Mutual Fire Ins. Co.  The Supreme Court has now granted certioari in a companion case, Ahn v. Liberty Mutual Fire Ins. Co.  

   As in Kim, the issue in Ahn is whether Haw. Rev. Stat. 431:10C-308.5(e) overruled the Supreme Court's decision in Wilson v. AIG, 89 Haw. 45, 968 P.2d 647 (1998).  In Ahn, the plaintiff sought review of LIberty Mutual's denial of personal injury protection benefits she received after an auto accident.  Liberty Mutual contended only the provider, not the patient, could pursue administrative remedies if a dispute arose over the amount charged. 

   Relying on Kim, the Intermediate Court of Appeals affirmed the circuit court's decision that Ahn was a real party in interest and could pursue claims for unpaid medical bills against the insurer.  Liberty Mutual's application for certiorari was granted by the Supreme Court.

   We will watch these cases with interest.  For the insight of an appellate practitioner on these developments, see this post by my Damon Key blogging colleague, Rebecca Copeland.