Kansas City radiology antitrust suit heading to trial
Mark Idstrom, MD, who filed an antitrust suit against his former partners at Kansas City’s Alliance Radiology PA, will have his case heard at trial as a Johnson Country judge denied the defense’s motion for a full summary judgment, according to the Kansas City Business Journal.
Idstrom worked with Alliance for seven years before being fired in 2012. That same year he filed a lawsuit alleging the radiology group violated state antitrust laws and inflated prices.
Idstrom’s attorneys argued that when Alliance formed in 2000 through the merger of four radiology groups, it was solely to eliminate competition and drive up prices. The Kansas City Business Journal reported that, according to an email from an Alliance representative in the court documents, the groups was receiving reimbursement rates at least 15 to 20 percent higher than other hospital groups.
If the jury upholds Idstrom’s claim, Alliance would likely be forced to disband.
Evan joined TriMed in 2011, writing primarily for Health Imaging. Prior to diving into medical journalism, Evan worked for the Nine Network of Public Media in St. Louis. He also has worked in public relations and education. Evan studied journalism at the University of Missouri, with an emphasis on broadcast media.