The Behavioral Health Care sector has seen plenty of mergers and acquisitions this year. Deal volume is currently up 38% (33 deals) compared with 2014’s full-year total of 24 transactions. With six deals announced in December, the sector will close out the year on a high note.
One deal has been in the works almost all year, and will become effective on January 1, 2016. WellSpan Health, a five-hospital system based in York, Pennsylvania, and Philhaven, a mental and behavioral health agency of the Lancaster Conference of the Mennonite Church USA, finalized their affiliation plans on December 17. Philhaven provides services throughout Lancaster, Lebanon, Dauphin, and York counties.
The deal will create the region’s most complete continuum of behavioral health services and south central Pennsylvania’s most comprehensive not-for-profit health system. WellSpan was already moving in this direction in 2014, when it added behavioral health providers to seven of its primary care physician offices. The initiative has expanded to 10 offices. Philhaven’s 55 progams and 1,100 employees will add significantly to the effort.
