Gregory Chandler on Department of Defense Third Party Collection Program

The Third Party Collection Program was legislated by Congress in 1986. The Third Party Collection Program obligates Department of Defense Military Treatment Facilities to bill private health insurance carriers such as Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Mail Handlers, Aetna, etc., for the cost of medical care furnished to retirees and family members covered by their own health insurance policies. This includes all medical benefits such as inpatient care, outpatient care, and ancillary services such as pharmacy items.

The government bills the private health insurers. That is why the government uses the term "Third Party". Military Treatment Facilities can only collect for services covered by one's third party health insurance plan according to one's benefits with the plan.

By law, your insurance policy rates cannot go up or be canceled just because a claim is filed. Health insurance is not like automobile insurance because one's rates do not increase when a claim is filed.

GREGORY CHANDLER, Attorney at Law

Gregory Chandler - Criminal Record

United States v. Rose, 522 F. 3d 710 (6th Cir. 2008) is an interesting case about when evidence of a criminal record may be admitted.

The Court affirmed a conviction for selling a firearm to a person with a criminal record and a known felon. The Court held that evidence that the defendant and the firearm buyer were in prison together was relevant to prove that the defendant knew the other man was a convicted felon. The probative value of the evidence significantly outweighed any prejudice that would arise from the jury's learning that the defendant had been imprisoned.

GREGORY CHANDLER, Attorney at Law

Gregory Chandler - Litigation Costs

Catlin v. Tormey Bewley Corp. is a case of first impression in the Colorado courts. The Colorado Court of Appeals held that, under Colorado law, accrued interest on loans taken out by prevailing parties to finance their case may not be recovered as costs. To be awardable as costs, expenses must be necessarily incurred by reason of the litigation and for the proper preparation for trial. The Court reasoned that any necessity for a loan results primarily from the economic circumstance of the litigant, and only secondarily from what expenses the case requires, and a loan is not preparation for trial. Furthermore, Colorado law does not allow for interest on costs.

The case may be found at 2009 WL (WestLaw) 1477498


GREGORY CHANDLER, Attorney at Law

Gregory Chandler - Atlanta Bar Association

The Atlanta Bar Association presents "LawJam: Battle of the Atlanta Lawyers' Bands."

In the competition, lawyers compete for the top spot in an American Idol style competition. Proceeds support youth programs in Atlanta and free legal services for low income citizens.

Tickets can be purchased through the Variety Playhouse. Please contact Sally Hogsette at
shogsette@atlantabarfoundation.org or (404) 521-0781 if you have any questions.

The Variety Playhouse is located at 1099 Euclid Avenue in Atlanta.


GREGORY CHANDLER, Attorney at Law

Gregory Chandler - 301 F. 3d 240

Hitt v. Connell, 301 F. 3d 240 (5th Cir. 2002): In a civil rights action by a deputy constable who was discharged for his union activity, an associational right protected by the First Amendment, the Court found no abuse of discretion in admitting evidence that the supervisor took disciplinary action against other deputies for their union activities.

The evidence was admissible as proof of the supervisor's motive in firing the plaintiff and to impeach the supervisor's statements that he was "a union man" and had no animus against the union.


Gregory Chandler, Attorney at Law