Optum Acquires Amedisys for $3.4 Billion Amid Regulatory Approval

Optum has acquired Amedisys for $3.4 billion. The acquisition was completed after the Amedisys board approved the merger agreement. The transaction was subject to approval from Amedisys stockholders, expiration of the Hart-Scott-Rodino waiting period, and other regulatory approvals. As of September 8, 2023, Amedisys stockholders approved the transaction, and the deal is expected to be completed.

UnitedHealth Group has completed its acquisition of Amedisys, a leading home health and hospice care provider, for $3.3 billion. The deal, which was first announced in June 2023, has now been finalized following approvals from Amedisys stockholders and regulatory authorities.

The acquisition was subject to several conditions, including the approval of Amedisys stockholders and the expiration of the Hart-Scott-Rodino waiting period. Amedisys shareholders overwhelmingly voted in favor of the merger, with nearly 77% of stockholders supporting the UnitedHealth offer [1]. The deal was initially expected to close in the second half of 2024 but faced legal challenges from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) due to concerns about competition in the home health and hospice market.

To resolve these concerns, UnitedHealth Group and Amedisys agreed to a settlement with the DOJ, which required them to divest 164 home health and hospice facilities across 19 states. The divestments, valued at approximately $528 million in annual revenue, will be transferred to BrightSpring Health Services or The Pennant Group, both of which are home health companies [2]. The DOJ also imposed a $1.1 million penalty on Amedisys for falsely certifying it had fully responded to federal document requests.

UnitedHealth Group's Optum subsidiary will continue to operate Amedisys as a wholly-owned subsidiary, with an office in Baton Rouge and operations in Nashville, Tennessee. The acquisition aims to enhance UnitedHealth Group's offerings in the home health and hospice care space, a vital part of its value-based care approach [3].

The completion of this acquisition marks a significant milestone for Amedisys, which has been growing and evolving its services for years. The merger with Optum is expected to bring innovative solutions and exceptional care to even more patients and families [3].

References:
[1] https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/business/33-billion-deal-for-baton-rouge-based-amedisys-completed/article_875b8089-3a1a-4d38-910e-90a861ef8268.html
[2] https://hospicenews.com/category/ma/
[3] https://medcitynews.com/2025/08/doj-uhg-amedisys-divest-acquisition/