Earlier this month, APTA and APTA Private Practice joined the MultiPlan Antitrust Litigation as plaintiffs. This federal antitrust litigation alleges a conspiracy to systematically underpay physical therapists and other health care providers for reimbursements of out-of-network services.

This federal antitrust litigation against MultiPlan, recently rebranded as Claritev, and leading health insurance companies, including UnitedHealth, Elevance (Anthem), Humana, Aetna, Cigna, and various Blue Cross Blue Shield entities, has alleged that they are participating in a coordinated price-fixing conspiracy to increase their profit margins by setting increasingly low reimbursement rates for out-of-network services.

What does APTA and APTA Private Practice joining the MultiPlan Antitrust Litigation mean for members?
APTA is participating in the lawsuit as an organizational plaintiff, seeking an injunction to stop the alleged anticompetitive scheme. This action does not make individual APTA members parties to the lawsuit.

Individual practices may be entitled to significant financial damages against MultiPlan and other insurance companies. Affected members will have the opportunity for the same law firms representing APTA to bring individual claims for financial damages due to the repricing.

For individual APTA members who engage one of the law firms representing APTA in this litigation, representation would be on a contingency basis at a reduced rate.

Claims against MultiPlan over out-of-network reimbursements may go back 10 years. Many practices that have been out-of-network with one major insurer during the relevant time period will have compensable claims.

An informational webinar discussing opportunities for therapists to sue on an individual basis will be held with lawyers appointed in the litigation for individual, direct action plaintiffs. Sign up to be notified when the webinar date, time, and registration are live to learn more.

Advancing payment is APTA’s top priority.
We remain unwavering in our commitment to work alongside you in securing fair payment for physical therapist services. We strive to advance a health care system grounded in value, transparency, and patient-centered care. This legal action marks a critical step toward fighting back against systemic barriers to fair and lawful payment.

For more information on commercial insurance out-of-network repricing, download APTA’s Practice Advisory.

For more information on the case and to explore taking action to pursue damages, sign up to be notified of the date and time of APTA’s informational webinar with lawyers appointed to the litigation for individual, direct action plaintiffs.

If you have questions, please contact advocacy@apta.org.

Thank you for being an APTA member and helping to amplify our collective voice around the value of physical therapist services.