With ObamaCare looming, and the expected death and planned extermination of private health insurance carriers in this country by 2014, insurance companies are positioning for continued profits by supplementing government health care programs such as Medicare and Medicaid through niche products. Transitioning strategies include acquisition of urgent care centers (Humana- Concentra), Medicare supplement business, entry into foreign markets (Aetna – China) or a total exit from health insurance to other lines.
[MINNETONKA, MN and BALTIMORE] – Nov. 22, 2011 – UnitedHealthcare, a UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) company, has agreed to acquire XLHealth Corp., a sponsor of Medicare Advantage health plans with a primary focus on Medicare recipients with special needs, such as those with chronic illness, and those also eligible for Medicaid (“dual eligibles”).
XLHealth’s expertise in improving care for Medicare beneficiaries with elevated health risks, which includes its innovative and nationally recognized clinical model of care, will enhance UnitedHealthcare’s already strong Medicare Advantage portfolio. This acquisition will allow UnitedHealthcare to better serve chronically ill and dual eligible members. Ninety percent of Medicare beneficiaries have at least one chronic condition and nearly half of all beneficiaries have three or more conditions. In addition, dual eligible individuals represent a disproportionate share of Medicare beneficiaries with chronic diseases. With this acquisition, UnitedHealthcare will seek to build on the XLHealth model of care to better serve Medicare Advantage members in markets across the country.
The all cash transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals. The acquisition is expected to close during the first half of 2012, and is expected to be accretive to UnitedHealth Group earnings per share.
XLHealth currently serves approximately 113,000 Medicare Advantage members in Arkansas, Georgia, Maryland, Missouri, South Carolina and Texas, and will expand its presence to Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, New Mexico, New York and Wisconsin in 2012. In addition to chronic conditions special needs plans, XLHealth also offers dual eligible special needs plans, and traditional Medicare Advantage plans. The company estimates its 2012 revenues will exceed $2 billion.
“Combining XLHealth’s substantial capabilities and outstanding employees serving high-risk, chronically-ill Medicare beneficiaries with UnitedHealthcare’s breadth in both Medicare and Medicaid will significantly enhance our ability to serve older Americans,” said Gail Boudreaux, CEO of UnitedHealthcare. “As more Americans enter Medicare with multiple chronic conditions, including many who are also eligible for Medicaid, health plans that deliver effective complex care management can make an enormous difference in the quality of care beneficiaries receive. We greatly admire the work of 2 the XLHealth team and look forward to leveraging XLHealth’s clinical management expertise to better serve our membership.”
“We are excited to be joining forces with UnitedHealthcare and look forward to realizing the many benefits of this merger,” said Frederick C. Dunlap, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of XLHealth. “UnitedHealthcare recognizes the value of the outstanding care management model that we have built and offers XLHealth the opportunity to grow as part of the leading health and well-being enterprise in the United States. Importantly, we share a common mission of service as we work to provide solutions that improve quality and reduce health care costs. Together, we can expand our ability to serve our members and physician partners, as well as provide growth opportunities for our employees as part of a larger organization. We look forward to working with the UnitedHealthcare team to ensure a smooth transition.”
About UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people nationwide live healthier lives by simplifying the health care experience, meeting consumer health and wellness needs, and sustaining trusted relationships with care providers. The company offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for individuals, employers and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and contracts directly with more than 650,000 physicians and care professionals and 5,000 hospitals nationwide. UnitedHealthcare serves more than 38 million people and is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified Fortune 50 health and well-being company.
About XLHealth
XLHealth, based in Baltimore, is privately owned by management and affiliates of MatlinPatterson Global Opportunities Partners III L.P. XLHealth is the owner and operator of Care Improvement Plus (http://careimprovementplus.com), a Medicare Advantage health plan committed to delivering quality health care benefits and serving the underserved. Focused on improving patient outcomes and reducing health care spending, Care Improvement Plus provides comprehensive Medicare coverage and a Part D prescription drug benefit, plus additional services such as dental and vision coverage, and care management support.