On Jan. 6, news broke that Nashville, Tenn.-based data analytics firm Change Healthcare will combine with OptumInsight in a deal amounting to about $13 billion. The merger, which is expected to close in the second half of 2021, includes the refinancing of about $5 billion in Change Healthcare debt.
UnitedHealth will fund the deal with debt issuance across many maturities, Fitch said in its affirmation of the healthcare organization’s “AA-” (very strong) rating.
“The [UnitedHealth] management team has a successful record of acquisitions and there appears to be a sound strategic fit with the [Change Healthcare] merger,” Fitch said. “[Change Healthcare] will join with OptumInsight to provide software and data analytics, technology-enabled services and research, advisory and revenue cycle management offerings targeted at improving healthcare outcomes.”
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