Humana set to acquire Enclara Healthcare, extend comprehensive care strategy

Humana has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire privately held Enclara Healthcare, one of the nation's largest hospice pharmacy and benefit management providers, from Consonance Capital Partners and Enclara management.

Enclara is a pharmacy solutions provider focused on simplifying care delivery in complex populations in an effort to improve patient experience, quality and cost. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

WHAT'S THE IMPACT

The Enclara acquisition provides Humana with the opportunity to extend its comprehensive care continuum strategy to cover the pharmacy-related needs associated with hospice care, simplify the mail order pharmacy experience, and advance its technology for in-home pharmacy through areas such as enhanced mobile medication management and improved connectivity of electronic health records.

Enclara serves more than 450 hospice providers and 97,000 hospice patients per day through multiple, scalable models designed to fit unique customer needs.

The Enclara transaction, which includes acquisition of Enclara Pharmacia, GuidantRx and Avanti Health Care Services, is anticipated to close during the first half of 2020 and is subject to the usual state and federal regulatory approvals, as well as other customary closing conditions. The transaction isn't expected to have a material impact on earnings in 2020.

THE LARGER TREND

Humana has been entering into a number of different partnerships as of late, though the Enclara deal is the only outright acquisition on its current slate.

In October, Humana announced a strategic partnership with Microsoft focused on building healthcare solutions for Humana members that improve outcomes and simplify patients' care experiences.

Using Microsoft's Azure cloud, Azure AI, and Microsoft 365 collaboration technologies, as well as interoperability standards like FHIR, Humana's plan is to develop solutions and automation to help doctors provide a holistic view of their patients -- ensuring preventive care, keeping up with medication schedules and refills, and offering perspective on social determinants of health, such as food insecurity, loneliness and social isolation.

Also in October, Humana partnered with Doctor on Demand to launch a new virtual care model called On Hand. Members and employers are able to opt into this new plan, which will let patients access an in-network primary care doctor with no copay. Users will also have access to urgent care providers and behavioral health clinicians.

Twitter: @JELagasse

Email the writer: jeff.lagasse@himssmedia.com