OptumRx’s three-year contract with New Jersey will commence Jan. 1, 2018. By shifting its pharmacy benefit manager from St. Louis-based Express Scripts to OptumRx, the state expects to save about $350 million in the agreement’s first year. Savings are projected to reach $1.6 billion during the life of the contract, state officials said.
UnitedHealth has worked to expand its technology, consulting and healthcare delivery subsidiary Optum. Deerfield, Ill.-based Surgical Care Affiliates and Optum declared their merger earlier this year. In addition, UnitedHealth plans to acquire The Advisory Board’s healthcare division, which provides consulting and research services.
More articles on payer issues:
Children’s Minnesota back in network with BCBS
11 payer-provider contract disputes, resolutions in June
Why Geisinger stays in the ACA exchanges, Aetna and Medtronic team up & more — 13 payer key notes
