Optum's proposed $3.29 billion acquisition of home health provider Amedisys is facing scrutiny from the Justice Department, according to an Aug. 10 regulatory filing.
Amedisys said it received a request from the Justice Department for additional information about the proposed merger Aug. 4, extending the waiting period for the deal under federal law.
"There can be no assurance that the merger will not be challenged on antitrust grounds or, if such a challenge is made, that the challenge will not be successful," the company wrote.
The request is not an unexpected move from the federal government, as previous UnitedHealth Group purchases have been subject to similar requests. In 2022, the Justice Department unsuccessfully attempted to block UnitedHealth from acquiring data and analytics company Change Healthcare for $7.8 billion.
The proposed merger with Amedisys was announced June 26 and terminated a previous $3.6 billion merger agreement between Amedisys and infusion services provider Option Care Health, which will receive a $106 million termination fee.
Baton Rouge, La.-based Amedisys was founded in 1982 and provides home health, hospice and high-acuity care services. The company employs 18,000 people across 522 care centers in 37 states and Washington, D.C.
UnitedHealth Group is rapidly growing its home care capabilities. In February, the company closed on its $5.4 billion acquisition of home health firm LHC Group.