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U.S. Justice Department alleges uncompetitive practices in a lawsuit against OhioHealth

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — The U.S. Justice Department filed a lawsuit Friday in federal court accusing OhioHealth of anticompetitive practices that drive up health care costs for patients and employers.

A sign in front of O'Bleness Hospital in Athens, Ohio
Pictured is the emergency room sign at OhioHealth O’Bleness in Athens, Ohio. [Joseph Scheller | WOUB]
The lawsuit alleges that OhioHealth uses its market strength to force insurers to include OhioHealth in all their commercial insurance networks. That practice prevents insurers from offering lower-priced health plan options, the lawsuit alleges.

The Justice Department seeks to stop OhioHealth’s restrictions so insurers can include more affordable, innovative plan options in their contracts with OhioHealth and in the commercial insurance products they sell to employers and families, according to a news release.

Without those options, the Justice Department contends, employers and families face fewer choices and higher premiums.

The lawsuit alleges these practices violate the federal Sherman Act and Ohio’s Valentine Act, both of which prohibit anticompetitive conduct that harms consumers.

OhioHealth said in a statement: “OhioHealth has been cooperating with the Department of Justice throughout its review of our managed care agreements. We are confident in our position and remain committed to full compliance with all applicable laws and regulatory requirements. As this is active litigation, we will not comment on specifics beyond what has been publicly disclosed.”

OhioHealth owns or manages hospitals and outpatient facilities throughout Ohio, including O’Bleness Hospital in Athens.