West Penn Allegheny Health System in Pittsburgh may muddle the improved rapport between the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and Highmark, according to a Pittsburgh Tribune-Review report.
Last week, UPMC asked a federal judge to halt an antitrust suit filed by West Penn in 2009. UPMC claimed that, due to a recent agreement with Highmark and Highmark's pending acquisition of West Penn, there is no reason to pursue litigation that may be dropped. Furthermore, the Highmark-UPMC agreement calls for the lawsuit to be dropped if Highmark's affiliation with West Penn receives regulatory approval.
But West Penn could throw a wrench into that arrangement, according to UPMC's court filing to stay the case. In that document, UPMC said West Penn will likely file a response in opposition to its request. So far, West Penn has filed no such response, and a system spokesperson declined to comment on the matter due to policies on discussing ongoing litigation.
UPMC spokesperson Paul Wood expressed confusion in the news report. "We're puzzled by this apparent conflict between Highmark and West Penn. The May 2 agreement specifically spelled out that Highmark would dismiss West Penn's litigation against UPMC," he said in the report.
The Pennsylvania Insurance Department is reviewing Highmark's acquisition of West Penn. A decision is expected in October.
Payor-Provider Integration: Anatomy of the Highmark-West Penn Deal
UPMC to File Highmark Agreement Under Seal in Motion to Halt Antitrust Case
Last week, UPMC asked a federal judge to halt an antitrust suit filed by West Penn in 2009. UPMC claimed that, due to a recent agreement with Highmark and Highmark's pending acquisition of West Penn, there is no reason to pursue litigation that may be dropped. Furthermore, the Highmark-UPMC agreement calls for the lawsuit to be dropped if Highmark's affiliation with West Penn receives regulatory approval.
But West Penn could throw a wrench into that arrangement, according to UPMC's court filing to stay the case. In that document, UPMC said West Penn will likely file a response in opposition to its request. So far, West Penn has filed no such response, and a system spokesperson declined to comment on the matter due to policies on discussing ongoing litigation.
UPMC spokesperson Paul Wood expressed confusion in the news report. "We're puzzled by this apparent conflict between Highmark and West Penn. The May 2 agreement specifically spelled out that Highmark would dismiss West Penn's litigation against UPMC," he said in the report.
The Pennsylvania Insurance Department is reviewing Highmark's acquisition of West Penn. A decision is expected in October.
More Articles on UPMC, Highmark and West Penn Allegheny:
Highmark Seeks to Rejoin Antitrust Suit With UPMCPayor-Provider Integration: Anatomy of the Highmark-West Penn Deal
UPMC to File Highmark Agreement Under Seal in Motion to Halt Antitrust Case