Omnicell Builds Out its Medication Synchronization Platform

People with chronic medical conditions typically take a lot of medications, and it’s not uncommon that many of them skip or forget to take some of their meds as prescribed. A 2011 survey released by the National Consumers League projected that the number of Americans affected by at least one chronic condition requiring medication therapy is expected to reach 157 million by 2020. Into the breach comes Omnicell, Inc. (NASDAQ: OMCL), which provides automation and business analytics software solutions for medication and supply management worldwide. The company announced its acquisition of privately held Ateb, Inc. and its affiliate, Ateb Canada Ltd. on November 29. The... Read More »

The Market for PBMs Slows in 2016

Magellan Health, Inc. (NASDAQ: MGLN), a healthcare management company specializing in special populations and pharmacy benefits management, has just acquired privately held Veridicus Holdings, LLC. The sellers are Gauge Capital, company management and other unnamed backers. Based in Salt Lake City, Veridicus is a pharmacy benefit management (PBM) company that uses proprietary software to integrate pharmacy, medical and lab data to drive targeted interventions for complex patient populations. The $74.5 million deal gives Magellan access to Veridicus’ 225,000 members. Veridicus also owns and operates a fully licensed insurance company which serves members enrolled in the Medicare Part D... Read More »

Community Health Systems Starts Divesting Hospitals

It’s no secret that Community Health Systems (NYSE: CYH) has a $15 billion debt load, and that despite its spin-off of Quorum Health Corp. (NYSE: QHC) last April, its financial performance hasn’t improved. During the company’s third-quarter earnings call on November 1, CEO Wayne Smith said the company was in discussions to shed 17 of its 157 hospitals, as well as home health services and non-hospital real estate. The most recent deal following that call was announced on November 17. Community Health’s Spokane, Washington-based Rockwood Health System will become part of Tacoma, Washington-based MultiCare Health System, a not-for-profit system that operates five... Read More »

WellCare Health Adds Universal American for $800 Million

WellCare Health Plan (NYSE: WCG) breathed a little life into the lethargic Managed Care sector, which has experienced a lull in M&A this year. WellCare provides government-sponsored managed care services, and its target, Universal American Corp. (NYSE: UAM), provides health insurance and managed care products and services to Medicare and Medicaid customers in the United States. The purchase price is $800 million, or $10.00 per share, representing a 34% premium to Universal American’s 60-day volume-weighted average closing stock price as of November 16, 2016, and includes the retirement of Universal American’s preferred shares and its convertible debt. WellCare expects the... Read More »