LHC Group Expands Joint Venture in Texas; Anthem completes the myNEXUS acquisition
The LHC Group announces the expansion of the joint venture
LHC Group Inc. (Nasdaq: LHCG) and partners Texas Health Resources and Methodist Health System are expanding their joint venture in Texas.
The three health organizations announced Thursday that they are acquiring and sharing Regent Home Health, a provider currently serving patients and families in Fort Worth, Texas. Upon completion, the agency will be renamed “DFW Home Health” and relocated to McKinney.
Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
“We are very excited about this latest opportunity to work with our partners at Texas Health Resources and Methodist Health System to expand home health services for Dallas-Fort Worth and the Metroplex,” said Keith Myers, LHC Group Chairman and CEO, in an explanation. “Together, we continue to fulfill our mission to reach as many people as possible with high-quality care that is both in demand and is gaining in importance for our entire healthcare system.”
The Regent deal is expected to close on June 1st. At this point, the renamed Regent will join the LHC Group’s existing JV activities in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
DFW Home Health is a separate legal entity jointly owned by the LHC Group, Texas Health Resources, and North Texas Health Facilities Management Inc., a subsidiary of Methodist Health System. The provider has been in operation since 2012 and currently operates four agencies on its market.
The upcoming expansion is just the latest example of the LHC Group’s JV strategy. Based in Lafayette, Louisiana, the home health, hospice, and personal care provider is the primary joint venture partner for nearly 400 US hospitals and healthcare systems.
Anthem completes the purchase of myNEXUS
Indianapolis-based health insurer Anthem Inc. (NYSE: ANTM) has completed the acquisition of myNEXUS, a comprehensive home care management company for payers. The transaction was originally announced towards the end of March.
Anthem and its subsidiaries serve more than 116 million people nationwide. MyNEXUS now offers integrated clinical support services for around 1.7 million Medicare Advantage members in 20 states.
Upon completion, myNEXUS will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Anthem and join the company’s Diversified Business Group. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
“We are excited to combine the power of myNEXUS in terms of digital and advanced analytics to expertly manage and coordinate home health care with the offerings of the Diversified Business Group, including a deeper set of clinical pathways and member navigation as well as social driver of health and behavioral health to create truly integrated solutions, ”said Dr. Prakash Patel, President of Anthem’s Diversified Business Group, in a press release. “The addition of myNEXUS fits in with Anthem’s strategy of ensuring full-person care and providing a seamless end-to-end experience that helps improve outcomes, reduce readmission, and improve the wellbeing of members and their families. “
myNEXUS was previously owned by WindRose Health Investor, a New York-based private equity firm specializing in healthcare.
“We are very pleased to have had the opportunity to work with myNEXUS and its management team,” said Oliver Moses, managing partner of WindRose, in a statement. “The incredible growth myNEXUS has achieved over the course of our investment is testament to the company’s ability to deliver improved clinical outcomes for patients at home, enable high quality providers, and improve the cost of care for its paying customers. “
Amedisys, Sound Physicians, join forces
Amedisys Inc. (Nasdaq: AMED) and Sound Physicians are jointly launching a new pilot project for home health in the southeastern United States
Sounds Physicians is a physician-led partner for hospitals, health plans, post-acute care providers, and others. Baton Rouge, Louisiana-based Amedisys and Sound Physicians are working together to launch the Home Health Advanced Program, which is expected to begin in May.
As part of the new program, Amedisys and Sound Physicians will care for Medicare patients who meet certain diagnostic criteria and severity levels. The pilot will combine Amedisys’ personal care skills with telemedicine services through Sound Physicians and add a level of enhanced care coordination in the first two to three weeks of a home health episode.
“This long-awaited innovation will further demonstrate the value of home care for patients and caregivers with improved visual acuity,” said Paul Kusserow, chairman and CEO of Amedisys, in a statement. “The combination of the highest quality home health care in the industry and coordinated personal care support to assist patients and caregivers with daily living activities is key to future innovations like this and has a huge impact on the future of health care. “
There are no additional costs for patients receiving services under the Home Health Advanced Program.
Medical Mutual, WellBe opens up new markets
Medical Mutual and WellBe Senior Medical are launching a new home health care program in both Cleveland and Columbus. With the launch, WellBes home care services will be made available to thousands of additional patients in Ohio.
WellBe Senior Medical is a doctor-led medical group that provides special care in the home environment for people with multiple chronic conditions. Medical Mutual is the oldest and one of the largest health insurance companies in Ohio.
“The ability for Medical Mutual members to have access to home care is an important step in helping vulnerable patients with serious illness take control of their health,” said Dr. Jeff Kang, CEO and Founder of WellBe Senior Medical issued a press release. “WellBe’s team-based approach to home health care provides geriatric care to the patient rather than the patient going to where the care is provided.”
Eden Health takes care of the hospital’s home health care
Eden Health – the home services division of Vancouver, Washington-based EmpRes Healthcare Management LLC – has reportedly acquired the Whidbey Island Hospital District’s home health program.
The deal is a cost-cutting opportunity for Whidbey Island Hospital District, also known as WhidbeyHealth, according to local Whidbey News-Times. Eden Health plans to enroll the hospital’s current patients and hire hospital staff to work in the home health department.
Eden is an employee owned company.