Beware antitrust pitfalls in dealing with other providers

Article Abstract:

A new healthcare system will increase competition between physicians and nonphysician providers. It will also be fertile ground for antitrust suits. The incidence of such suits is increasing as physicians resist state attempts to extend the privileges of allied health personnel. Nonphysicians usually fail to win these cases because their physician-opponents are successful in arguing the superior quality of care doctors are prepared to provide. They might also use this argument to prevail under a managed care system.

Offices of health practitioners, not elsewhere classified, Cases, Health care industry, Allied health personnel

---

Antitrust advice: don't network yourself into a legal jam

Article Abstract:

Physicians who band together with other providers as part of vertically integrated health networks must be careful to consider antitrust laws. For example, a large proportion of physicians in a given area who work for the same network can lead to a monopoly. The monopoly can then fix prices and exclude competition. In response to this situation, the American Medical Association is urging policymakers to include relaxed antitrust statutes in the nation's health care reform package.

Hospital and medical service plans, Usage, Physicians, Medical professions, Managed care plans (Medical care)

---

Antitrust exemption proposal garners AMA support

Article Abstract:

Rep Bill Archer introduced a bill that would exempt medical self-regulatory procedures from antitrust rules. As part of the House Republican Health Task Force health reform package, the bill would allow hospitals and medical associations to enforce professional and ethical standards on physicians without fear of antitrust litigation. The American Medical Association had petitioned the Federal Trade Commission for such relief and later was asked to help draft the new bill.

General medical & surgical hospitals, Medicine, Professional standards review organizations (Medicine)

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Prevalence of HIV infection in childbearing women in the United States: surveillance using newborn blood samples
• Abstracts: Smart loans, dumb loans: the best and worst ways to borrow money now. The tax basics you need to know: answers to six not-so-dumb questions
• Abstracts: Managed care hitting psychiatric practices. Study questions savings of Medicaid managed care. Indemnity insurers shifting to drug formularies
• Abstracts: How essential is an essential drugs policy? Leprosy and guinea-worm disease. Midwives: guardians of the future
• Abstracts: Are quotas the answer to the primary care shortage? Internists still considering ways to boost generalism. Primary care shortage? It's all in eye of beholder

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.