In a startling demonstration of just how slow the basic lab test business has become, LabCorp is planning to buy Covance, a large clinical research organization, for $6.1 billion. While there is some synergy, since lab tests are a part of most drug and device testing, this is a big bet on striking out in a new direction.
Lockheed Martin is buying Systems Made Simple to boost its government health information technology business. Just what we need, the cost overrun specialists who do government defense contracting to do more expensive and unworkable government HIT>
Optum, the non-health plan business of UnitedHealth Group, is purchasing Alere Health, the division on Alere that provides wellness programs for employers and health plan enrollees, for a massive $600 million. The acquisitions which led to Alere Health had been ill-timed for Alere and outside its core business and the company is fighting off a hostile takeover.
Oct282014
Vitals has acquired Compass Healthcare. Both companies are in the business of providing health care cost transparency and comparison solutions.
Ability Network, which offers workflow technology for providers, has acquired MD On-line which makes EDI and revenue cycle tools for providers and payers.
Breg, owned by Water Street, has merged with United Orthopedic Group to create a company focussed on rehabilitative orthopedic products and services and sports medicine.
MergeWorthRx, which was formed to consolidate certain health care sectors, has acquired AeroCare, which is a leading provider of home respiratory services.
Lucent Health Solutions, which intends to develop a more "data-driven" administrative service for self-funded health plans, has acquired North American Administrators, a traditional TPA.
http://www.lucent-health.com
Oct092014
After a long and difficult courtship Kindred and Gentiva are merging to create a home care giant in a deal worth $1.8 billion.
EpharmaSolutions, which offers software to help with clinical trial data gathering and analysis, is being acquired by WIRB-Copernicus Group, a provider of regulatory and ethical review services.
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.
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.