Anthem Inc. (NYSE: ANTM) isn’t sitting still while other managed care companies scoop up physician practices and post-acute services. The Indianapolis-based health insurer announced on May 23 that it will acquire Aspire Health, the nation’s largest non-hospice, community based palliative care provider. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Aspire Health was founded in 2013 by former U.S. Senator and physician William Frist (R-TN) and Brad Smith. The latter serves as CEO of the company.
Aspire currently provides services under contracts with more than 20 health plans to consumers in 25 states. The company uses proprietary predictive clinical and claims-based patient algorithms to identify patients with a serious illness who may benefit from an extra layer of support.
Once patients are identified, Aspire assigns a comprehensive care team that includes physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers and chaplains. The team works in an integrated approach to address symptom management, patient-family communication, advance care planning and to coordinate care with other medical professionals including primary care, specialty care and in-home care providers. The company also offers 24-7 support to patients, including nurse practitioner home visits any time if necessary.
Aspire joins Anthem’s other clinical care assets, such as CareMore Health and AIM. This transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2018.
