UnitedHealth Group Adapts to Changing Health Care System Via Optum Investments

The U.S. health care system is in a state of flux, as the home gains prominence as a care setting and value-based payment builds momentum. Recent deals by UnitedHealth Group’s (NYSE: UNH) Optum subsidiary demonstrate a willingness to change with the times. UnitedHealth Group is positioning Optum as a cornerstone of its growing home-based care […]

Court Decision on UnitedHealth Group, Change Healthcare Deal Smooths Path for LHC Group Transaction

A recent federal court decision that cleared the way for UnitedHealth Group’s (NYSE: UNH) forthcoming purchase of Change Healthcare (NASDAQ: CHNG) is a positive sign for the insurance company’s pending acquisition of LHC Group (NASDAQ: LHCG). The U.S. Department of Justice sought to block the $13 billion Change Healthcare transaction on anti-trust grounds, alleging that […]

Walmart, UnitedHealth Group Launch Value-Based Health Care Partnership

Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) and UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) will partner to offer a range of health care services to seniors enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans. The 10-year collaboration will begin in January 2023 at 15 Walmart Health locations in Florida and Georgia and will gradually expand to new markets. The companies expect to serve […]

CVS Health to Acquire Signify Health in $8 Billion Deal

CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) has agreed to purchase Signify Health (NYSE: SGFY) for a total transaction value of $8 billion. Signify is a value-based care enablement company that concentrates on care in the home, including home health and palliative care. CVS indicated that the transaction will lay the foundation for further expansion in home-based health […]

CHRISTUS, Texas Palliative Care Team Up to Deliver Serious Illness Care

Texas Palliative Care and CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Health recently formed a partnership to expand access to serious illness care for patients and families in growing need. The palliative care partnership was rolled out last month with a goal to improve provider coordination and quality of these services across East Texas. Through the partnership, the two […]

Hospice Multiples Unlikely to Drop

A turbulent economy and slight cool-down in deal activity early in the year have led some to question whether the record-high valuations for hospice assets will start to tumble. Like most business sectors, health care has felt the aftershocks of global economic trends such as rising inflation, supply chain disruption, and the continued effects of […]

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 […]