DaVita Dumps Its Doc Group for $4.9 Billion

DaVita Dumps Its Doc Group for $4.9 Billion

Kidney care specialist DaVita (NYSE: DVA) made good on its statement that it was exploring strategic alternatives for its DaVita Medical Group (DMG). It found a buyer in UnitedHealth Group’s (NYSE: UNH) Optum, which agreed to pay $4.9 billion for DMG, the highest publicly announced price it has paid for a physician group. In January, Optum announced its take-out of Surgical Care Affiliates, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCAI) for $3.2 billion. The company partners with health plans, medical groups and health systems to develop and optimize surgical centers. At the time of the announcement, it operated 205 surgical facilities, including ambulatory surgery centers and surgical hospitals, in partnership with... Read More »
CVS, Aetna Lead a Potential Big-Deal Parade

CVS, Aetna Lead a Potential Big-Deal Parade

The fourth quarter, and the month of December in particular, are usually busy times for mergers and acquisitions, and often when big deals are announced. With one month to go in Q4:17, the pace may be picking up. Deal volume through December 1 stood at 231 transactions (-39% to last year’s 379), and $19.6 billion (-49% vs. $38.6 billion in Q4:16). But late on December 3, CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) and managed care giant Aetna (NYSE: AET) announced their $69 billion merger. More mega-deals are in the offing. Possibly. The CVS/Aetna deal was first reported in October by The Wall Street Journal, with talk of $200 to $205 per share for Aetna. The final price is $207 per share in cash and... Read More »