An antitrust lawsuit against UPMC and Highmark, both based in Pittsburgh, will move forward after U.S. District Judge Joy Flower Conti denied a motion by the two health giants to dismiss it, according to a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette report.
The lawsuit, which was originally filed five years ago, was brought by Cole's Wexford Hotel and alleges a conspiracy between Highmark and UPMC allowed their for-profit subsidiaries to overcharge customers for premiums by keeping competing insurers out of the local market. The hotel bought group health insurance from Highmark Health Insurance between 2010 and 2012, according to the report.
Both UPMC and Highmark have denied the allegations in the complaint.
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