CADE ordered the Ahpaceg to refrain from engaging in price-rigging with health insurance companies

On September 12, the Office of the Superintendent General of CADE granted an interim measure for the Brazilian Association of High Complexity Private Hospitals of the State of Goiás (AHPACEG) and its members to cease the  fees for health service, price rises, and trading conditions with health insurance companies. The decision is part of the Administrative Enquiry no. 08700.004116/2023-37. 

CADE launched the administrative enquiry based on a complaint brought by Unimed Goiânia. The medical cooperative accused Ahpaceg and its members of fixing prices of daily rates, medical supplies, medicines, fees, enteral and parenteral nutrition, diagnostic support services, and orthotics and prosthetics (OPME). The allegations involve both price-rigging and boycotts in response to procedure changes recommended by health insurance companies. 

The investigation aims to identify if the accusations of collusive practices against Ahpaceg and its members are extended to other health insurance companies. The enquiry also seeks to determine whether other entities, such as associations and unions, incorporated these practices into the healthcare services in the state of Goiás. 

The alleged price-rigging in the association may restrict free competition between hospitals and other healthcare service providers, leading to increased health insurance prices and harming consumers. 

In 2020, the Tribunal of CADE convicted the Association of Hospitals of the State of Ceará (AHECE) and some affiliated hospitals for colluding with local health insurance companies. The Office of the Superintendent General also granted interim measures for dissuading the association and its members’ collusive practices.