UnitedHealth Group and the Justice Department disagree on a date for trial that will determine the fate of the company's planned merger with Amedisys.
In a proposed schedule and case management order filed Jan. 3, attorneys for the Justice Department proposed a trial beginning Oct. 27. Attorneys for UnitedHealth Group proposed an earlier date, Aug. 18.
The Justice Department filed a lawsuit challenging UnitedHealth Group's proposed merger with home health company Amedisys in November. The Justice Department argued the $3.3 billion merger will lessen competition in the home health market.
In December, UnitedHealth and Amedisys agreed to extend the deadline for the merger due to the pending litigation. The two companies waived their right to terminate the agreement if it does not occur before an agreed-upon date: either 10 business days after a final court ruling that blocks the merger or December 31, 2025.
UnitedHealth Group first said it planned to merge with Amedisys in June 2023. The deal has been under review by the Justice Department since August of that year.