‘Exacerbating Decline In Access’: LHC Group, Enhabit, Bayada Sound Off On CMS’ Proposed Rate Cuts

The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) home health proposed payment rule – which would slash rates by 2.2%, or an estimated $375 million less compared to 2023 levels – drew the ire of the industry’s heaviest hitters during the public comment period. The comments were critical of the proposed rule itself. They […]

4 New Insights On The Amedisys, Optum, Option Care Health Saga

On May 3, Amedisys Inc. (Nasdaq: AMED) and Option Care Health (Nasdaq: OPCH) issued a joint press release announcing their intent to merge. By June 5, those plans were complicated, with Amedisys revealing it had received a competing bid from UnitedHealth Group’s (NYSE: UNH) Optum. They were then scrapped entirely when, on the morning of […]

The Most Intriguing Home-Based Care Deals of 2023

Home-based care dealmaking trends generally give a good idea of what’s going on in the space at large. They show you where the money is headed, and where it’s not. They show you where the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) stroke of the pen has impacted investment or transaction activity. The trends show […]

‘We’re Very Strong Believers In The Value Of Home Health’: UnitedHealth Group Affirms Commitment To Home-Based Care, Mum On Amedisys

Although leaders at UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) were relatively quiet about the deal for its Optum arm to acquire Amedisys Inc. (Nasdaq: AMED) during a Friday Q2 earnings call, they did touch on the high-level strategic fit. In fact, UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty doubled down on his company’s focus and investment in the home […]

What Comes Next: Exploring Optum’s Decisive Play For Amedisys

UnitedHealth Group’s (NYSE: UNH) Optum snatched Amedisys Inc. (Nasdaq: AMED) away from Option Care Health (Nasdaq: OPCH) at the end of June. If the $3.3 billion acquisition is finalized, Optum will own about 10% of the home health care market. It would represent a seismic shift for a traditionally mom-and-pop industry. It would represent consolidation, […]

Why Health System-Home Health Joint Venture Activity Could Heat Up

Rising costs, the return of Medicare sequestration, labor shortages and higher patient acuity levels have all contributed to health systems struggling financially over the past 18 months. Since the start of the year, at least half a dozen hospitals have either closed or announced plans to close. To stay afloat, many others have opted to […]