Carolinas HealthCare System Statement Regarding the US Department of Justice Civil Action

06.08.2016 Atrium Health News

On June 9, 2016, the U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division filed a civil action against Carolinas HealthCare System in the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, regarding a dispute over certain language in contracts between CHS and insurance companies.

Carolinas HealthCare System is committed to fair competition and looks forward to presenting our position in court. Our arrangements with insurers are similar to those in place between insurers and healthcare systems across the country. We have neither violated any law nor deviated from accepted healthcare industry practices for contracting and negotiation. In fact, we have been applauded by the United States government for the quality care and cost-reduction programs we’ve implemented, programs it hopes to model in other parts of the country.

Carolinas HealthCare System is strongly committed to providing accurate and useful information to consumers and patients as it relates to cost, quality and overall value of the care they receive. We remain dedicated to making healthcare more affordable, while ensuring that we fulfill our mission. We provide financial assistance to patients in need, as well as medical education and research in the communities we serve. These and other mission-based services totaled over $1.65 billion or 19% of total operating expenses in 2015.