West Penn Allegheny CEO Christopher Olivia, MD, told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review he believes University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is trying put West Penn out of business by monopolizing the marketplace.
The statement comes a week after a federal appeals court reinstated Pittsburgh-based West Penn's antitrust lawsuit against UPMC and regional insurer Highmark. It was initially dismissed by a U.S. District judge more than a year ago.
The suit accuses UPMC of conspiring with Highmark to receive inflated reimbursements in order to hurt West Penn financially, according to the report.
The health system reported an operating loss of $89.9 million for its fiscal year ended in June and is currently undergoing a massive consolidation to improve the system's efficiency.
Dr. Olivia said in the report that he "absolutely" thinks UPMC wants to monopolize the marketplace, adding "there's evidence of that all over the place."
UPMC denied the accusation, and a spokesman for Highmark said the company supports competition among insurers and providers.
Read the PittsburghTribune-Review report on West Penn Allegheny.
Read more coverage on West Penn Allegheny:
- Appeals Court Reinstates West Penn Allegheny Antitrust Suit Against UPMC, Highmark
- West Penn Allegheny Reports Operating Loss of $89.9M
- Struggling West Penn Allegheny Focuses on Urgent Care, Outpatient Centers
The statement comes a week after a federal appeals court reinstated Pittsburgh-based West Penn's antitrust lawsuit against UPMC and regional insurer Highmark. It was initially dismissed by a U.S. District judge more than a year ago.
The suit accuses UPMC of conspiring with Highmark to receive inflated reimbursements in order to hurt West Penn financially, according to the report.
The health system reported an operating loss of $89.9 million for its fiscal year ended in June and is currently undergoing a massive consolidation to improve the system's efficiency.
Dr. Olivia said in the report that he "absolutely" thinks UPMC wants to monopolize the marketplace, adding "there's evidence of that all over the place."
UPMC denied the accusation, and a spokesman for Highmark said the company supports competition among insurers and providers.
Read the PittsburghTribune-Review report on West Penn Allegheny.
Read more coverage on West Penn Allegheny:
- Appeals Court Reinstates West Penn Allegheny Antitrust Suit Against UPMC, Highmark
- West Penn Allegheny Reports Operating Loss of $89.9M
- Struggling West Penn Allegheny Focuses on Urgent Care, Outpatient Centers