Â鶹´«Ã½

Following a public comment period, the Â鶹´«Ã½ Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that CentraCare’s acquisition of St. Cloud Medical Group, also known as SCMG, would be anticompetitive.

According to the complaint, by eliminating SCMG as a potential alternative in the St. Cloud area, the acquisition, if unremedied, likely would have increased CentraCare’s bargaining power vis-à-vis commercial health plans, allowing it to raise reimbursement rates and secure more favorable terms. The acquisition may also have resulted in a loss of quality and service benefits to patients.

Under the terms of the proposed settlement order, CentraCare was required to allow a number of adult primary care, pediatric, and OB/GYN physicians to leave the health system and work for other local providers or establish a new practice in the area, and to provide certain financial incentives to a number of departing physicians

The Commission vote approving the final order was 3-0. (FTC File No. 161 0096; the staff contact is Robert Canterman, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-2107)

The Â鶹´«Ã½ Trade Commission works to promote competition, and protect and educate consumers. You can learn more about how competition benefits consumers or file an antitrust complaint. Like the FTC on , follow us on , read our blogs and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.