The $4.3 billion acquisition was first announced in December 2017 and has faced roadblocks from the Federal Trade Commission over concerns it would create a monopoly in Las Vegas. To settle any issues, DaVita Medical Group will divest its primary care practice in southern Nevada, which will become part of Intermountain Healthcare over the next 40 days.
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser also filed a complaint citing anti-competitive concerns about how the merger would affect access to care in Colorado Springs, according to a report from The Denver Post. UnitedHealthcare provides the most Medicare Advantage plans in the Colorado Springs area and DaVita Medical Group also owns two large physician groups in the community. According to a consent judgement, UnitedHealthcare reportedly will remove exclusivity from its contract with Centennial, Colo.-based Centura Health for at least the next 3.5 years and DaVita Medical Group extended its current agreement with Humana through December 2020.
Post-acquisition, OptumCare will serve more than 80 health plans and provide care to 16 million patients. DaVita will continue to own and operate its kidney care business in the U.S. and abroad.
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