Optum in the headlines: 4 recent updates

Hospitals are closely watching UnitedHealth Group's health services arm Optum as it steadily expands its physician workforce to shield itself from competitors and hospitals.

Here are four recent updates concerning the company, reported by Becker's since July 30:

1. Optum, VC firms invest $33M in AI company
IDx, a developer of artificial intelligence-based diagnostic tools, secured $33 million in its most recent financing round, led by venture capital firm 8VC with participation from Optum's venture arm Optum Ventures, venture capital firm Alpha Edison and Northridge, Calif.-based Heritage Provider Network.

2. Optum co-creator named COO of Amazon, Berkshire, JPMorgan venture
The healthcare venture launched by Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway and JPMorgan Chase picked a former Comcast and Optum executive to be its COO. The venture, led by CEO Atul Gawande, MD, selected Jack Stoddard to fill the position beginning Sept. 4.

3. Ohio Medicaid terminates contracts with Optum, CVS Caremark
Ohio's Department of Medicaid immediately canceled the contracts it has with two pharmacy benefit managers — CVS Caremark and Optum Rx — over pricing practices that cost the state tens of millions of dollars.

4. Atlantic Health System partners with Optum's urgent care business on 11 centers
Morristown, N.J.-based Atlantic Health System is partnering with Optum's MedExpress to coordinate care with 11 of the company's urgent care centers in northern New Jersey, the organizations said June 28.

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UnitedHealth buys pharmacy company Genoa Healthcare for $2.5B
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