Ohio Chamber Sues UnitedHealth Over Alleged Contract Abandonment

The Ohio Chamber of Commerce is suing UnitedHealth Group for allegedly abandoning its contract to administer a health plan for chamber members.

According to the lawsuit, filed on September 1 in federal court in Columbus, UnitedHealth used inside information to trick employers into thinking the chamber plan was being terminated.

The Chamber accused UnitedHealth of withholding its own information from it, making it impossible for the Chamber to respond to or compete with the company's actions.

UnitedHealth is the third-largest corporation by revenue in the US and owns the nation's largest health insurer, as well as a significant portion of doctors' offices and prescription middlemen.

The Ohio Chamber Health Benefit Program offers group plans that are attractive to small businesses, with about 20% of the association's members participating.

The lawsuit accuses UnitedHealth of nine separate improprieties, including violations of the state's Deceptive Trade Practices Act, false advertising, breach of contract, and breach of fiduciary duty.