US: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma escapes antitrust action

District Judge Claire Eagan dismissed the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma (BCBSO) from an antitrust suit brought by a disgruntled health care provider, Bristow Endeavor Healthcare, finding that plaintiff’s assertion that the Blues had participated in an unlawful antitrust conspiracy failed to state a claim against these defendants.

The case, Bristow Endeavor Healthcare v. Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, involves a claim by a Tulsa-based health care provider, Bristow, that its request to have its ambulatory surgery center – the Center for Orthopaedic Resconstruction and Excellence – granted in-network status by BCBSO was thwarted by an unlawful agreement between the Blues and a rival health system – Hillcrest/Ardent. Specifically, Bristow alleged that BCBSO had denied Bristow’s request at the behest of Hillcrest/Ardent, which Bristow alleged is its largest competitor in Northeast Oklahoma/Tulsa.

Full Content: JDSupra

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