Wakefield, Massachusetts-based Optum, owned by UnitedHealth, has agreed to a $2.3 billion cash and stock deal to buy Surgical Care Affiliates (SCA) and its 190 surgical hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers.
Optum’s press release said SCA serves around 1 million patients annually in 30 states, giving the combined company a much larger provider footprint.
“Combining SCA and OptumCare will enable us to continue the transition to high-quality, high-value ambulatory surgical care, partnering with the full range of health systems, medical groups and health plans,” said Larry Renfro, vice chairman of UnitedHealth and Optum’s CEO. “We have an incredibly high regard for SCA’s leadership and people, so we look forward to working with them and our payer partners to implement care models that reward independent surgeons and specialists for quality and care efficiency.”
Optum’s goal has been to expand to enough markets to offer ambulatory and primary care services to two-thirds of the U.S. population. In recent years, it’s announced many new partners and acquisitions, like pharmacy care services company Catamaran, health management solutions company Alere and revenue cycle manager MedSynergies.
The transaction is expected to close by the end of the second quarter of 2017.
John joined TriMed in 2016, focusing on healthcare policy and regulation. After graduating from Columbia College Chicago, he worked at FM News Chicago and Rivet News Radio, and worked on the state government and politics beat for the Illinois Radio Network. Outside of work, you may find him adding to his never-ending graphic novel collection.