Home health and hospice provider Amedisys has agreed to be acquired by UnitedHealth’s Optum for $101 per share in cash, ending its previous merger agreement with Option Care Health. This follows Optum’s unsolicited acquisition offer earlier this month for $100 per share.
The deal, valued at approximately $3.3 billion, is subject to shareholder and regulatory approval, including antitrust scrutiny due to potential overlaps between Amedisys and UnitedHealth’s home health business, LHC Group.
UnitedHealth aims to bolster its provider capabilities, particularly in home and community-based care, as it looks to tap into the growing demand for medical care outside of hospitals. With the aging population and favorable reimbursement in programs like Medicare Advantage, providing cost-effective, quality care in the home setting is seen as a lucrative opportunity.
Amedisys’ commitment to innovation in home care, combined with Optum’s expertise in value-based care, is expected to drive better health outcomes and experiences for patients.
Amedisys will pay $106 million to Option Care Health to terminate their agreement. Antitrust scrutiny has increased in healthcare deals under the Biden administration, and the UnitedHealth-Option Care Health acquisition is likely to face regulatory review, potentially leading to divestitures in certain markets.
