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Real estate firm proposes partial settlement in class-action lawsuit against Highmark, UPMC
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A real estate firm that filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of insurance ratepayers against Highmark and UPMC alleging that they conspired to raise premiums submitted on Thursday to federal court a proposed settlement with the insurer.
If the proposed settlement with Highmark is approved by U.S. District Judge Joy Flowers Conti, the insurer would put $4.5 million into an escrow account. That money would eventually pay costs and expenses of Royal Mile's attorneys.
Highmark has also agreed to help Royal Mile to continue to pursue its case against UPMC, by providing information that it gave to the U.S. Department of Justice when that agency was investigating the insurer's relationship with UPMC.
Judge Conti is also overseeing two other cases related to UPMC and Highmark.
In one, West Penn Allegheny Health System is suing UPMC, claiming it unlawfully sought to stifle competition.
In the other, UPMC sued Highmark, claiming it used unlawful means to try to siphon business from the region's dominant hospital system.
First Published October 5, 2012 9:58 am
