CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Atrium Health told Channel 9 it is granting a request from nearly 100 of its own doctors to break away and run an independent practice.
Mecklenburg Medical Group filed a lawsuit against Atrium, fighting for the right to break away and run an independent practice and determine its own costs for patient services.
The lawsuit calls Atrium's actions “self-serving monopolistic” and “anti-competitive.”
The group says Atrium has refused to release the physicians from restrictive covenants unless they give up financial help from insurance companies that help keep costs low for patients.
The lawsuit said the restrictive covenants would bar them from practicing in Charlotte.
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Carolinas HealthCare System changes name to Atrium Health
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Channel 9 recently reported another lawsuit filed against Atrium by a group of local anesthesiologists that lost its nearly 40-year contract with the hospital.
Last month, the hospital system was hit with a class-action lawsuit accusing it of overcharging thousands of patients and anti-competitive conduct.
Two years ago, the U.S. Justice Department sued Carolinas HealthCare System for the same thing.
The newest lawsuit claims Atrium is acting in the exact opposite manner of the nonprofit health care provider that it claims to be.
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