FTC Launches Antitrust Probe Into Epic Systems, Sources Say

Particle Health, a company that competes with Epic in the market for platforms insurers use to review and store medical records, has also sued Epic, accusing it of setting up barriers for new clients. Epic called that lawsuit baseless and said Particle obtained confidential patient medical records under false pretenses, an allegation Particle has denied.

The FTC probe focuses on whether Epic's data access practices harm competition in the health technology market. The company's dominant position – its systems are used by hospitals and clinics that together treat a majority of U.S. patients – gives it significant leverage over how patient data moves between providers and insurers.

Epic also operates a research platform where health systems that have opted in can conduct studies using data from 310 million patients, according to the company's website.

The investigation is in its early stages, the sources said. No charges have been filed. The FTC typically issues civil investigative demands to gather information before deciding whether to bring a case.

Epic's spokesperson reiterated that the company's products are designed to share data with outside systems and that it complies with federal interoperability rules.

The Texas lawsuit is scheduled for a hearing later this year. The Particle Health case is ongoing in federal court.