OhioHealth Faces Antitrust Lawsuit Over Insurance Dealings

A federal lawsuit has been filed against OhioHealth, a large hospital group in Columbus. The U. S. Justice Department and the state Attorney General claim that OhioHealth used its power to block cheaper health plans. They say the system forced insurers into contracts that keep prices high and limit patient choices. OhioHealth runs 16 hospitals and many outpatient centers in central Ohio. It controls more than a third of the region’s major inpatient care, from heart surgery to emergency treatment. Because of this reach, insurers say they must include OhioHealth hospitals in their networks to sell plans locally.The complaint says OhioHealth added a rule that if an insurer wants any of its hospitals, it must take all of them. This “all‑or‑nothing” clause stops insurers from offering lower‑cost options that steer patients toward other hospitals like Mount Carmel or Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center. The result is fewer choices for employers and higher premiums for families. OhioHealth also allegedly prevented insurers from sharing accurate price information. Insurance companies could not tell patients that a scan or operation might cost less elsewhere, keeping costs hidden. If the government wins, this case could set a national example for how big hospital systems negotiate with insurers. The lawsuit was filed last Friday, and OhioHealth is expected to reply soon.