Thursday, 2 July 2020

CMA fines Spire and consultant ophthalmologists for price-fixing


CMA fines Spire and consultant ophthalmologists for price-fixing


The Competition and Markets Authority has imposed fines totalling over £1.2 million on Spire Healthcare Group and 6 ophthalmologists for their participation in price fixing of consultation fees in violation of Chapter I of the Competition Act 1998.


The penalties include a 20% settlement discount to reflect the parties’ admissions and cooperation with the CMA.  The leniency applicant consultant who brought the matters to the attention of the CMA received total immunity from fines.


Spire and the consultants admitted that they agreed to fix fees for initial private consultations for self-pay patients at £200. The arrangement lasted from at least 29 August 2017 to 3 July 2019 (28 June 2020 for one consultant).

The CMA imposed fines totalling over £1.2 million on Spire.  Six of the consultants received fines of £2,978, £1,186, £2,312, £2,193, £3,859, £642.

https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/privately-funded-healthcare-services

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