Competition accuses 5 hospitals of collusion

The Competition Authority (AdC) has reopened the investigation and once again charged five private healthcare hospitals and a sector association with collusion in negotiations with ADSE, at least between 2016 and 2019. “According to the investigation, these entities coordinated among themselves, with the involvement of the sector association, the fixing of prices and other commercial conditions in negotiations with ADSE, as well as the suspension or threat of termination of agreements, with the aim of putting pressure on the regularization of billing”, explains the Competition Authority.

In 2022, the AdC had convicted five private healthcare groups – Trofa, Hospital Particular, CUF, Lusíadas and Luz Saúde – and the association representing them (Portuguese Private Hospital Association) «for a concerted practice, restricting competition, in the contracting of hospital healthcare services by the public healthcare subsystem ADSE». The groups had then been sentenced to a total fine of 190.9 million euros.