Anthem's definitive agreement to acquire Boston-based Beacon Health Options aligns with the importance of behavioral healthcare and provides opportunities to improve patient care, an Anthem leader told Becker's.
"Anthem firmly believes in the critical importance that behavioral health services play in supporting the overall health and well-being of the consumers we serve. The need for, and value of, mental health and substance use disorder care and services is recognized throughout the healthcare industry," Prakash Patel, MD, executive vice president and president of Anthem's diversified business group, said via email.
The move also fits "perfectly with Anthem's diversified business group's strategy to provide integrated solutions and care delivery models that personalize care for those with complex and chronic conditions," said Dr. Patel.
Anthem announced the definitive agreement to acquire Beacon, the nation's largest independently held behavioral health organization, on June 6. The value of the transaction was not disclosed.
Under the deal, which is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2019, both entities' behavioral health business will operate within Anthem's diversified business group.This allows for the integration of physical and behavioral care, as well as building solutions and services to improve care for high-risk specialized populations, said Dr. Patel.
"The acquisition will offer Anthem the opportunity to fully scale integrated behavioral and physical health capabilities to customers and consumers nationwide," he said. "Collectively, both businesses will be able to enhance whole person care and improve overall health outcomes with a stronger portfolio of specialized products, more clinical expertise, improved analytics and health data, and broader provider networks and relationships."
Dr. Patel said the acquisition will also establish a comprehensive behavioral health network that is able to offer more accessible and affordable care for U.S. patients.
Anthem's rivals are also growing their health networks through vertical integration, but in different areas. For example, the Federal Trade Commission gave conditional approval earlier this month of UnitedHealth Group's $4.3 billion acquisition of DaVita Medical Group. Additionally, Cigna merged with Express Scripts, and CVS Health acquired Aetna in a $69 billion deal, though the details of the transaction are being examined in federal court.
Beacon declined to provide any additional comments about the Anthem transaction, which comes as Beacon faces accusations from mental health providers and New York state officials of untimely payments.
Beacon told Becker's of the allegations: "Beacon Health Options is focused on ensuring that providers are compensated accurately and timely for the vital behavioral health services they provide to our members in New York. We have been working closely and collaboratively with the Department of Health and related agencies, the Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare and our clients to fully address these issues and prevent them from happening in the future. Beacon's commitment to the health and sustainability of the mental health safety net is unwavering."