The federal agency is expected to conclude gathering information around the proposal soon, and UnitedHealth has hired an attorney that represented it during the antitrust trial over its Change Healthcare purchase last year, according to the report.
CTFN said in a Jan. 18 report that the deal may receive unconditional approval from the FTC.
UnitedHealth’s Optum agreed to buy Lafayette, La.-based LHC in late March in a $5.4 billion deal. In June, the FTC requested additional information regarding the proposed acquisition. In December, the companies said they had complied and expected the deal to close in the first quarter of 2023. The termination date for the agreement was also extended until March 28.
Becker’s has reached out to UnitedHealth Group for comment.
At the Becker's 5th Annual Fall Payer Issues Roundtable, taking place November 2–3 in Chicago, payer executives and healthcare leaders will come together to discuss value-based care, regulatory changes, cost management strategies and innovations shaping the future of payer-provider collaboration. Apply for complimentary registration now.