Optum has made a big move into population health management, with the Eden Prairie, Minn.-based clinical analytics firm announcing a $600 million acquisition of the Waltham, Mass.-based Alere Health.
Alere Health, a division of the larger Alere company, provides care management software, primarily to payers. The deal allows Optum to provide more comprehensive population health managements software for both the payer and provider side.
“Alere Health’s expert team and proven health management solutions are a strong fit with our focus on empowering consumers to make more informed decisions, achieve healthier lifestyles and take greater ownership of their health,” Larry Renfro, CEO of Optum, said in a statement. “Adding Alere Health’s solutions and expertise allow us to be an even more valuable partner to payers, employers, federal and state governments and consumers in achieving their long-term population health and cost management goals.”
The deal is subject to customary regulatory approval and other closing conditions. It is Optum's second major deal in 2014. In September, the subisidiary of UnitedHealth acquired Irving, Texas-based physician practice management and revenue management software firm, MedSynergies.
A spokesperson for Alere told HCI that Alere Accountable Care Solutions (ACS) was not included in the sale. Alere quietly "disposed" of Alere ACS a few weeks ago. Alere ACS is now a separate and independent company that will rebrand itself in the near future.
