And the big just keep getting bigger, as OptumRx, the UnitedHealth unit, is buying Diplomat, a specialty pharmacy and infusion vendor, for around $4 a share.
Mitchell/Genex, a vendor of managed care and other services for workers' compensation and other insurers, is acquiring CompAlliance, which performs case management for workers' compensation plans.
Medical genetic testing management company Invitae invites Clear Genetics to become part of the family, acquiring the maker of a chatbot to help consumers navigate genetic testing, for about $50 million.
EHR vendor NextGen has acquired Medfusion for $43 million. Medfusion offers a "patient experience" platform. Investors might have to be patient to experience a return.
DAS Health, which helps providers install and operate their information systems, has acquired Automated Medical Systems, which offers similar services.
Google is buying Fitbit for around $2.1 billion, putting the wearables maker out of its misery. Fitbit was hot for a while, then crashed on unrealistic growth expectations. And the big tech firms just get bigger and more intrusive.
Broad-based health management company Medecision decides to buy GSI Health, which offers software to help providers with value-based payment arrangements, particularly for Medicaid business.
Amazon adds to its health capabilities by purchasing Health Navigator, which offers online symptom checking and triage tools designed to help steer patients to appropriate treatment paths.
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.