Press Release: 2024-03-28

Statement From HPC Executive Director, DAVID SELTZ on Notices of Material Change Regarding Steward Health Care/Optum Care

 

3/27/2024

BOSTON — “The HPC received Notices of Material Change (MCN) today regarding the proposed sale of Stewardship Health, Inc., the parent of Stewardship Health Medical Group, Inc., which employs primary care physicians and other clinicians across nine states, and Steward Health Care Network, Inc., a contracting network, to OptumCare, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group.

“As described in the notice, this is a significant proposed change involving two large medical providers, both in Massachusetts and nationally, with important implications for the delivery and cost of health care across Massachusetts. Details of the proposal will be reviewed by the HPC to examine potential impacts on health care costs, quality, access, and equity. The sale cannot be completed until after the HPC’s review and any concurrent review by state or federal antitrust authorities.

“The HPC is committed to rigorous, data-driven oversight of health care market changes to bring important information to the public.

Information on Market Oversight and Proposed Transaction Review Process:

• 
  

  Notices of Material Change filed by both parties can be found on the HPC’s Material Change Notice Transaction List.

  
  


• Once all required information has been provided about the sale, the HPC will have 30 days to assess potential impacts of the transaction. If the sale is anticipated to have a significant impact on health care costs and market functioning, the HPC can initiate a full review in the form of a Cost and Market Impact Review (CMIR).


• More information on the HPC’s role in market oversight, including timelines for review and details on Material Change Notices (MCNs) and Cost and Market Impact Reviews (CMIRs), can be found in this overview.