Doctor Sues Over Residency Application System
(MedPage Today) -- A physician is bringing antitrust claims against the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) for what she alleges is a monopoly over the residency application process that's gouging doctors. Kaitlin Buhrke, DO, a general...
A physician in Phoenix, Kaitlin Buhrke, has filed a proposed class-action lawsuit against the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) alleging antitrust violations in the residency application process. Buhrke claims AAMC's monopoly over the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) results in excessively high fees for applicants, stifling their aspirations and negatively impacting patients and communities.
The complaint states that AAMC makes a significant portion of its $120 million annual income from ERAS fees, with the average applicant submitting 81 applications and paying $1,691 in total. ERAS dominates the market, with only two competitors: ResidencyCAS (ob/gyn and emergency medicine) and SF Match (ophthalmology and plastic surgery). AAMC also allegedly took an equity stake in Thalamus, a competitor, to prevent it from challenging its monopoly.
Bryan Carmody, a medical education expert, notes that ERAS is the primary source of AAMC's revenue. He has not encountered a similar case in recent history. The lawsuit comes at a time when the exemption granting AAMC's match program immunity from antitrust scrutiny is under renewed scrutiny by a House Judiciary subcommittee.
While the case's outcome is uncertain, legal experts predict AAMC may seek to dismiss it. However, given the backlog in Washington, D.C.'s courts, the process could take time.
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