FTC Launches Antitrust Probe Into Epic Systems Healthcare Data

The Federal Trade Commission has launched an antitrust investigation into Epic Systems, a healthcare database company that manages medical records for more than 280 million people in the United States. The agency is examining how the company grants or withholds data access and has issued investigative demands to other participants in the health technology industry.

Epic Systems, which operates the MyChart patient portal, is already facing legal challenges from the government of Texas and competitor Particle Health. Both parties allege that the company intentionally shuts out rivals to maintain market dominance.

Epic Systems has denied these allegations. In court documents, the company asserts that its products are interoperable and argues that healthcare provider customers, rather than the company itself, maintain control over access to patient records.