FTC Reaches Preliminary Settlement With US Anesthesia Partners Over Texas Market Competition

According to a statement, the FTC alleged that USAP engaged in a decade-long strategy of acquiring nearly every large anesthesia practice across Texas. Regulators described the approach as a “roll-up scheme” designed to consolidate providers under one umbrella, ultimately creating a dominant entity with the leverage to raise prices.

The agency’s complaint further claimed that USAP’s actions resulted in significantly higher costs for patients. Per a statement, the FTC said the company’s “multi-pronged anticompetitive strategy and resulting dominance cost Texans tens of millions of dollars more each year for anesthesia services than before USAP was created.”

While the agreement marks a step toward resolving the dispute, key details remain undisclosed. According to a statement, the substance of the settlement is currently confidential to allow USAP time to complete negotiations and implement the required changes. The FTC indicated that, if fully executed, the settlement would restore competitive conditions in the Texas anesthesia market and align with the agency’s established settlement practices.

However, regulators made clear that the agreement is not yet final. Per a statement, the FTC warned that if USAP does not fully comply with the settlement terms, the agency will return to district court to continue litigation over the alleged unlawful acquisitions.

The Commission voted 2-0 to authorize staff to move forward with the preliminary agreement. In the meantime, the FTC’s Health Care Division has been cleared to seek a stay of proceedings while USAP works to implement relief measures for consumers in Texas.

Any joint motions related to the case will require approval from the district court. Additionally, a final order resolving the litigation would need both a formal Commission vote and court approval before taking effect.

Source: FTC