Mergers & Acquisitions

Consolidation of managed care businesses has been steady going back to 1994.

Presbyterian Healthcare Services, an integrated delivery system with eight hospitals, 700 physicians, 100-plus clinics and a 300,000-member health plan, will take on care coordination and prevention for more than 12,000 members in UnitedHealthcare's employer-sponsored plans in New Mexico.

Customers and healthcare providers are accusing Blue Cross Blue Shield companies of exploiting the franchising model to inflate premiums and unfairly control market share, according to lawsuits that threaten Anthem's M&A strategy and could empower health systems and other insurers across the country.

As hospitals see revenue squeezed, many also face pressures to raise prices even though consumers watch costs closely, Ernst & Young consultants tell a crowd at the Healthcare Financial Management Association 2015 Annual National Institute.

Cigna's leaders thought the deal was rife with corporate governance problems and lacked security in the face of Anthem's own uncertainties.

National insurers think they need to get bigger or risk losing out, so payers like United and Aetna are looking expand their core health plan businesses and take new services to market.

Amid increasing financial challenges, Parkview could no longer survive as a stand-alone hospital.

The June agreement paves the way for both NYU Langone and NYU Langone Huntington to adapt to the changing healthcare environment from hospital-based to local ambulatory care, according to the health system.

The alliance will centralize certain services relating to purchasing and electronic health records and extend physician networks.

The facilities cover more than 3,000 beds, employ nearly 4,000 professionals and pulled in $280 million in revenue in 2014.