US Fertility Clinic Reaches Antitrust Settlement

A fertility clinic is among four such practices to agree to a pair of antitrust settlements totaling US$1.6 million.

Fertility clinics Reproductive Medicine Associates of CT, which operates offices in Danbury, Norwalk, Stamford, and Trumbull, and the Center for Advanced Reproductive Services — along with practice-management companies Women’s Health USA and In Vitro Science Inc. – reached the settlements, according to Connecticut State Attorney General William Tong.

Tong said the two settlements are the first of their kind in Connecticut involving anticompetitive conduct by a physician practice-management company representing multiple providers.

“Anti-competitive business practices in the health care market hurt patients and families by driving up prices for health care treatments and services,” Tong said. “Infertility services are vitally important for people having difficulty conceiving a child and are extremely expensive. I will hold health care businesses and providers accountable when they engage in anti-competitive practices, and our office stands ready to make sure that all Connecticut markets, not just health care, are open and competitive.”

Women’s Health USA is a provider of physician practice management services to women’s health providers in several states. In Vitro Science Inc. provides strategic and management business services for a network of fertility clinics both in and outside of Connecticut, including representing such practices in contract negotiations with third-party payors.