Continuing a whirlwind of recent deals, probably meant to mask serious issues, Centene has made a significant investment in RxAdvance, a supposedly futuristic PBM, with the right to increase its stake in the future.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/centene-and-rxadvance-establish-transformative-partnership-to-create-next-generation-pharmacy-management-solution-300612797.htmlMedial Early Sign, an Israeli firm that uses machine learning to improve patient care management, raises $30 million in new funding.
In yet another massive attempt to remake the health system, or at least change your declining fortunes, Cigna is buying PBM Express Scripts for $67 billion. This makes Cigna more like UnitedHealth and Aetna, if the CVS merger goes thru, in having a substantial stake in the pharmaceutical game, and it will whack UnitedHealth's OptumRx unit, as it currently works for Cigna.
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/07/health-insurer-cigna-is-close-to-buying-express-scripts.htmlInnovation, which has struggled to find profitability, is acquiring Ability Network, which provides various communication and administrative functionality for providers and payers, for a whopping $1.2 billion.
https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2018/03/07/1417432/0/en/Inovalon-to-Acquire-ABILITY-Network.htmlAbout this Blog
The Healthy Skeptic is a website about the health care system, and is written by Kevin Roche, who has many years of experience working in the health industry. Mr. Roche is available to assist health care companies through consulting arrangements through Roche Consulting, LLC and may be reached at khroche@healthy-skeptic.com.