UnitedHealth Group Acquires New York-Based Physician Group

UnitedHealth Group has reportedly acquired New York-based Crystal Run Healthcare.

Crystal Run Healthcare is a physician group with a network of 400 doctors, and UnitedHealth Group’s acquisition shows that managed care companies have a growing interest in primary care providers, Seeking Alpha reported Monday (April 10).

The acquisition was effective Feb. 22 but has not been publicly disclosed by either company, according to the report.

Reached for comment by PYMNTS, a UnitedHealth Group spokesperson provided a statement said Crystal Run will continue to serve its patients covered by multiple payers.

“Optum and Crystal Run share a strong commitment to providing patients with high-quality, local care with a focus on value and innovation,” the statement said. “We are excited to be coming together to expand upon the exceptional health care services Crystal Run provides to communities in the Hudson Valley and lower Catskill region.”

This news comes about seven months after it was reported that UnitedHealth Group was moving ahead with its bid for Change Healthcare after a federal judge struck down a Justice Department antitrust challenge to the acquisition.

When announcing the completion of the acquisition on Oct. 3, Optum, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, said in a press release that the combination aims to deliver a simpler, more intelligent and adaptive health system.

“The combination will connect and simplify the core clinical, administrative and payment processes health care providers and payers depend on to serve patients,” Optum said at the time. “Increasing efficiency and reducing friction will benefit the entire health system, resulting in lower costs and a better experience for all stakeholders.”

These acquisitions come amid several other moves in the healthcare field.

For example, Amazon expects that the future of healthcare will look a lot more like retail with customer experience coming first and artificial intelligence (AI) playing a larger role in that transformation.

“I would think of Amazon Clinic as a marketplace, similar to what Amazon does well on its retail site, connecting buyers and sellers to the products they need,” Amazon Clinic Chief Medical Officer and General Manager Dr. Nworah Ayogu said during a recent event. “I think we’re doing the same thing with Amazon Clinic.”

In addition, Walmart is doubling its health center numbers amid continued expansion into the wellness space; Dollar General is piloting a mobile health program for rural customers; and Amazon finalized its purchase of primary care provider One Medical.

Dr. David Carmouche, Walmart’s senior vice president for omnichannel care, said in March, “We know the cost and convenience of healthcare remains a barrier for many Americans, which is why we decided to bring our one-stop model of healthcare to these communities.”