Two radiologists have filed suit against Bozeman (Mont.) Deaconess Hospital, claiming the hospital breached a joint venture contract, created a monopoly and forced the physicians out of practice, according to a Bozeman Daily Chronicle report.
Frank Rembert, MD, Michael Paradise, MD, and Bozeman Radiology filed the suit last week. The physicians were employees and 22.5 percent share holders in Deaconess-Intercity Imaging, which operated under a joint venture with Bozeman Deaconess. The hospital held the remaining shares.
The suit claims the hospital tried to use its "influence to encourage" Dr. Paradise, the radiology facility's director, to fire Dr. Rembert after he complained about cardiologists' on-call hours. When Dr. Paradise refused to do so, the plaintiffs claim Bozeman Deaconess targeted them and refused to negotiate a new contract with the radiology practice unless they were both fired.
The plaintiffs also claim Bozeman Deaconess has created a monopoly for radiology services, as the only radiology facilities in the Bozeman area are those under the joint venture — of which the hospital holds the majority share, according to the report.
A hospital spokesperson said the hospital had not yet received the lawsuit and had no comment, according to the report.
The plaintiffs seek unspecified damages.
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Frank Rembert, MD, Michael Paradise, MD, and Bozeman Radiology filed the suit last week. The physicians were employees and 22.5 percent share holders in Deaconess-Intercity Imaging, which operated under a joint venture with Bozeman Deaconess. The hospital held the remaining shares.
The suit claims the hospital tried to use its "influence to encourage" Dr. Paradise, the radiology facility's director, to fire Dr. Rembert after he complained about cardiologists' on-call hours. When Dr. Paradise refused to do so, the plaintiffs claim Bozeman Deaconess targeted them and refused to negotiate a new contract with the radiology practice unless they were both fired.
The plaintiffs also claim Bozeman Deaconess has created a monopoly for radiology services, as the only radiology facilities in the Bozeman area are those under the joint venture — of which the hospital holds the majority share, according to the report.
A hospital spokesperson said the hospital had not yet received the lawsuit and had no comment, according to the report.
The plaintiffs seek unspecified damages.
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