� 1 Dolores Bordlemay (Executrix), executrix of the Estate of Wanda Bordlemay (Decedent), appeals from the order granting summary judgment to Keystone Health Plans (Keystone). Executrix claims that the trial court erred in holding that she was collaterally estopped from proceeding against Keystone as a result of a prior medical malpractice action and jury verdict in favor of her treating physicians. Executrix also claims that the trial court erred in granting Keystone’s motion for summary judgment on her claims of negligence and misrepresentation against Keystone. We conclude that the trial court did not err or abuse its discretion in granting the summary judgment motions. For the following reasons, we affirm the trial court’s order granting summary judgment in favor of Keystone.
� 2 In November 1985, Decedent enrolled in Keystone’s HMO plan through her employer. From February 1986 through January 1987, Decedent saw her primary care physicians for increasing pain and swelling in her right lower leg and ankle. Her physicians misdiagnosed her with a variety of ailments and finally referred her to an orthopedic specialist in January 1987. The specialist ordered a diagnostic imaging test that revealed a soft tissue mass that was later found to be cancerous. Unfortunately, amputation of the leg and chemotherapy proved to be unsuccessful, and Decedent died in May 1989 at the age of twenty-eight.
� 3 In August 1988, Decedent filed a complaint against her treating physicians. In January 1989, Decedent commenced an action against a number of HMO reimbursement systems who later agreed that Keystone would be the appropriate defendant. In May 1989, after Decedent’s death, the named plaintiff in both cases was changed to Executrix. In October 1990, Executrix filed a complaint against Keystone that contained the following five counts: (I) vicarious liability; (II) direct negligence; (III) corporate liability; (IV) fraud/misrepresentation; and (V) breach of contract. In September 1992, Executrix filed a motion to consolidate the two cases to which Keystone objected. The trial court denied consolidation. A jury returned a verdict in favor of the treating physicians, which was affirmed by this Court. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court denied the petition for allowance of appeal.
