A statement in a Department of Justice antitrust lawsuit against general and vascular surgeons in Tampa, Fla. and a consultant who negotiated with manage care plans (MCP):
"In a legitimate messenger model, the third party messenger
acts merely as an efficient conduit for information and communications
between MCPs and individual physicians or physician group practices.
A legitimate messenger does not coordinate or engage in collective
pricing activity for competing independent physicians, enhance
their bargaining power, or facilitate the sharing of price and
other competitively sensitive information among them."
Source: United States of America vs. Federation of Certified Surgeons and Specialists, Inc., and Pershing Yoakley & Associates, P.C.