LHC Group’s Hospice Segment Faring Better Than Home Health Amid Labor Struggles

Labor pressures are bearing down on LHC Group’s (NASDAQ: LHCG) patient volumes and revenue, hitting its home health segment harder than its hospice business. Workforce strains have put pressure on many providers’ capacity to accept patients, and Louisiana-based home health and hospice provider LHC Group is no exception. Labor costs are up across the board, […]

Hospices that Excel During COVID More Attractive to Buyers

Hospice acquisition volumes and price tags have hit record highs for several years running. Now, the companies that performed well under the pandemic’s pressure may be drawing more interest from buyers. While a sizzling hospice market saw a cooled start this year, merger and acquisition activity is still outpacing other health care sectors. Demographic tailwinds, […]

What’s Fueling the Hospice JV Furnace

More hospice and palliative care providers are pursuing joint ventures with hospitals and health systems. Joint ventures offer unique advantages compared to traditional referral streams, according to Aaron Stein, COO of Contessa Health, a subsidiary of Amedisys (NASDAQ: AMED). Joint ventures allow providers to develop integrated care models that build improved transitions of care, said […]

FTC Queries UnitedHealth Group, LHC Group on Wage Bargaining

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is seeking information from UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) and LHC Group Inc. (NASDAQ: LHCG) regarding the ways minimum wage workers in the space bargain for higher wages. The UnitedHealth Group subsidiary Optum in March announced that it would acquire LHC Group for $5.4 billion, subject to customary regulatory approvals. “As […]

Hospice M&A Outpacing Other Sectors Despite Q1 Slump

Despite hitting a brief slump at this year’s start, hospice merger and acquisition activity still managed to outpace other health care sectors.  Strong hospice and home health consolidation continued during the first quarter of 2022, according to a recent report from Provident Healthcare Partners. Both private equity firms and strategic investors remained “bullish” on home-based […]

LHC Group Shareholders Vote in Favor of UnitedHealth Group Deal

LHC Group (NASDAQ: LHCG) shareholders overwhelmingly approved the acquisition of the company by UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UHG) subsidiary Optum for $5.5 billion. Optum announced the forthcoming deal in April. The purchase agreement stipulates that UnitedHealth Group will acquire LHC Group’s common stock for $170 per share. The companies expect the transaction to close during the […]

Hospital, Health System Activity a ‘Very Disruptive Point’ in Hospice M&A Landscape

More hospitals and health systems are stepping into the home-based hospice space, often seeing joint ventures as a promising route to a return on their investment. While there are several factors driving facility-based health care organizations to eye home-based care, more than anything, hospices and other providers should simply be aware that the “normal” look […]

LHC Group, Optum Deal Hits Snag as Encompass Health Spin-Off Nears Closing

As one massive home health and hospice transaction steams towards completion, another is delayed. The forthcoming spin-off of Enhabit Home Health & Hospice from Encompass Health (NYSE: EHC) is just about ready to close on July 1. Meanwhile, a minor administrative snag will delay closing of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UHG) subsidiary Optum’s acquisition of LHC […]

Rising Admissions, M&A Bolster LHC Group as UnitedHealth Group Deal Proceeds

As LHC Group’s (NASDAQ: LHCG) pending $5.5 billion acquisition by UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) unfolds, the home health and hospice provider is seeing resurgent admissions growth despite persistent workforce pressures. LHC Group saw a contraction in the nursing labor market across its business segments during the second half of last year, President Joshua Proffitt previously […]

Hospice M&A Slips in Q1, Valuations Stay High

Deal volume in hospice and home health took a dive during the first quarter of 2022, though the dollar amounts in those acquisitions appear to be rising.  A total of 30 transactions occurred during Q1 this year in the hospice and home health space, compared to 41 deals in Q4 of last year, according to […]