Rockledge, Fla.-based Health First has reached a settlement with Melbourne, Fla.-based Omni Healthcare and a group of physicians, resolving a nearly three-year-old antitrust suit accusing Health First of maintaining a monopoly in southern Brevard County through its ownership of hospitals, physician practices and health insurance plans.
The antitrust trial began Monday and was expected to last three weeks. However, during the second day of the trial, a settlement was announced by the parties and U.S. District Judge Roy Dalton issued an order dismissing the suit with prejudice, according to Florida Today.
Judge Dalton's order didn't disclose details of the agreement, and the parties didn't immediately respond to requests for further information.
The plaintiffs alleged Health First maintained its monopoly by "intimidating physicians or otherwise obstructing their ability to practice medicine in south Brevard County if they do not play ball with Health First and refer patients exclusively to Health First hospitals and physician specialists." According to the complaint, Health First's alleged monopoly began with its 2013 purchase of Melbourne (Fla.) Internal Medicine Associates, a multispecialty physician group. The lawsuit refers to the MIMA deal as a "merger to monopoly."
Health First denies the allegations, saying it is a positive competitive force in the community.
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