UPMC sues Highmark over ads [The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review]

Aug. 05--Another court battle began Monday in the protracted business and legal war between Western Pennsylvania's largest hospital system and the state's biggest health insurer.

UPMC sued Highmark in federal court, seeking to block the "No Access" ad campaign by the Downtown-based insurer.

"These advertisements incorrectly state, among other things, that UPMC will "deny access," "close its doors," or otherwise not allow "Highmark health insurance customers" or "Western Pennsylvania families" to "use UPMC after 2014," the lawsuit states. "These statements, made as part of Highmark's larger campaign to take 41,000 inpatient admissions away from UPMC and community hospitals on an annual basis, are false for at least four independent reasons."

Highmark Health Services plans to fight the lawsuit, said spokesman Aaron Bilger. The insurer started the campaign because it believe UPMC is misleading people about contract negotiations between the two organizations.

"UPMC ignores the reality that its exorbitant charges for hospital services will preclude use of UPMC facilities by Highmark members unless there is a contract between the two organizations that makes care affordable," he said. "No single health care organization should have the power to dictate where you can seek affordable medical care."

The nonprofits have battled in court over several issues the past few years while Highmark created a new hospital system through its takeover of West Penn Allegheny Health System to compete with UPMC. An agreement that allows Highmark customers to use UPMC doctors at in-network rates ends for most customers and facilities at the end of 2014.

UPMC spokesman Paul Wood said the hospital system in July sent a letter to Highmark seeking an end to ads and the insurer responded that it would stop that campaign. The hospital sent another letter Thursday with new complaints and gave Highmark until Monday to respond.

"UPMC was forced to file a lawsuit against Highmark to expose and stop the numerous deceptions in Highmark's current advertising campaign," Wood said.

David Conti is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-388-5802 or [email protected].

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