UnitedHealth to Acquire DaVita Unit

UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) announced it will purchase the primary and urgent care unit of DaVita (NYSE: DVA) for $4.9 billion. 

DaVita Medical Group, one of the nation’s leading independent medical groups, will join Optum, an information and technology-enabled health services business that operates under UnitedHealth Group. The combination is intended to improve care quality, cost and patient satisfaction through integrated ambulatory care delivery systems enabled by information technology and supportive clinical services.

DaVita Medical Group serves approximately 1.7 million patients per year through about 300 medical clinics. Following the transaction, DaVita Medical Group will become part of Optum’s OptumCare division.

​DaVita will use the proceeds for share repurchases, pay down outstanding debt, and general corporate purposes.