From an expansion of provider networks to investments in value-based health plans, these are nine recent payer partnerships and purchases:
UnitedHealth Group quietly buys Oregon medical groups
Optum has purchased Eugene-based Oregon Medical Group and Portland-based GreenField Health. Combined, the two systems have about 120 doctors and clinicians at 11 facilities. GreenField Health was purchased last year and Oregon Medical Group in late 2020.
Evernorth, Kaiser ink 5-year deal to expand provider network, specialty pharmacy services
Cigna subsidiary Evernorth and Kaiser Permanente said April 19 the two signed a five-year partnership aimed at lowering costs and expanding care access for Kaiser members. Beginning in August, Kaiser commercial HMO and exclusive provider organization members who need urgent care when they are traveling outside of areas served by Kaiser will have access to Cigna's national PPO network. Accredo, Evernorth's specialty pharmacy, will become Kaiser's preferred external pharmacy for limited distribution drugs, and Evernorth's CuraScript SD will be a preferred distributor for purchasing certain other specialty products.
Andre Iguodala-funded Players Health acquires health plan broker Life Benefits
Players Health, a youth sports health plan funded by Golden State Warriors star Andre Iguodala, purchased Dallas-based health insurance brokerage firm Life Benefits April 19 to expand health plans for employees in youth sports. The purchase will allow Minneapolis-based Players Health to offer health plans for coaches and administrators who work for youth sports organizations.
BCBS Michigan to acquire commercial underwriting company AmeriTrust
Blue Cross Blue Shield subsidiary AF Group said April 12 it would purchase Southfield, Mich.-based AmeriTrust Group for an undisclosed amount. The Detroit-based payer aims to diversify its plans beyond healthcare by incorporating AmeriTrust's specialty insurance offerings in workers' compensation, commercial packages and automotive business. The purchase from Chinese conglomerate Fosun is expected to be completed after regulatory approvals.
Priority Health, Accolade partner to offer members custom value-based health plans
Priority Health said April 13 it is partnering with Seattle-based Accolade to offer custom and value-based policies to Michigan employers. The partnership will allow Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Priority Health and Accolade to offer Priority members a support model using virtual care services and personalized navigation capabilities.
UnitedHealthcare launches virtual physical therapy program for members
UnitedHealthcare said April 7 it is launching a new virtual physical therapy program to improve support for members with musculoskeletal issues. The program will provide eligible members with 24/7, on-demand exercise feedback powered by artificial intelligence and is aimed at enhancing health outcomes, reducing care costs and avoiding unnecessary invasive treatments such as imaging, surgery or opioid prescriptions
Clarify Health acquires Embedded Healthcare to grow value-based payment plans
San Francisco-based software firm Clarify Health has acquired Washington, D.C.-based Embedded Healthcare. The merger between the two companies aims to improve collaboration between providers and payers to scale the adoption of value-based payment models.
Millennium Trust to acquire CVS Health's HSA business
Millennium Trust Co. said April 5 it would purchase health savings account company PayFlex Holdings from CVS Health for an undisclosed amount. Millennium will also enter into a long-term commercial relationship with Aetna to maintain PayFlex as the payer's preferred provider of HSAs and other consumer-directed benefit solutions for existing and prospective members. Finalization of the acquisition is expected in the second quarter.
Blue Care Network launches genetic testing pilot program to personalize members' medicine
Blue Care Network said April 5 it has partnered with Minneapolis-based biotechnology company OneOme to launch a precision medicine program called Blue Cross Personalized Medicine that will use pharmacogenomics to personalize and tailor medication treatments for members. A pilot program is underway for some members through the end of 2022, with a full program launch scheduled for January 2023 for eligible Blue Care Network members with pharmacy benefits. The genetic testing program will be free to members and employers. Testing results will not be used for underwriting or to deny or increase the cost of coverage.