$13B deal unites UnitedHealth with Change Healthcare

UnitedHealth Group is acquiring Change Healthcare for about $8 billion cash, the companies jointly announced Wednesday morning.

The managed healthcare and insurance giant will fold Change into its Optum business unit.

Optum will assume more than $5 billion of Change’s debt, bringing the deal’s total valuation close to $13 billion.

In an announcement, the companies state their main aim is to connect and simplify core clinical, administrative and payment processes to achieve “better health outcomes and experiences for everyone, at lower cost.”

Dave Pearson

Dave P. has worked in journalism, marketing and public relations for more than 30 years, frequently concentrating on hospitals, healthcare technology and Catholic communications. He has also specialized in fundraising communications, ghostwriting for CEOs of local, national and global charities, nonprofits and foundations.

Around the web

The tirzepatide shortage that first began in 2022 has been resolved. Drug companies distributing compounded versions of the popular drug now have two to three more months to distribute their remaining supply.

The 24 members of the House Task Force on AI—12 reps from each party—have posted a 253-page report detailing their bipartisan vision for encouraging innovation while minimizing risks. 

Merck sent Hansoh Pharma, a Chinese biopharmaceutical company, an upfront payment of $112 million to license a new investigational GLP-1 receptor agonist. There could be many more payments to come if certain milestones are met.