Overview
- The civil complaint, filed Feb. 20 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, seeks to bar OhioHealth from enforcing the challenged provisions and to prohibit retaliation against insurers introducing cheaper plan designs.
- Authorities allege OhioHealth requires inclusion in all commercial networks and uses anti-steering and price-transparency limits that block narrow networks and other budget-conscious options.
- Justice Department officials told CBS News that OhioHealth holds roughly 40% of the Columbus market with negotiated prices about 50% higher than competitors, figures presented as allegations subject to litigation.
- OhioHealth says it has cooperated with the review and remains confident in its compliance with laws and regulations as the case proceeds.
- Officials describe the suit as the Antitrust Division’s first civil enforcement action in about a year, noting recent leadership changes and pointing to a similar 2018 case that ended in a settlement with Atrium Health.