UnitedHealth unit acquires large PE-backed physician group
U.S. Digestive Health, a large gastroenterology practice in
Southeastern Pennsylvania, has been sold by private equity firm
Amulet Capital Partners to SCA Health, a subsidiary of
UnitedHealth Group under the Optum umbrella.
The deal, completed in January with little public notice, shifts
a network of about 150 physicians and 24 ambulatory surgery
centers across Pennsylvania and Delaware to the nation’s largest
health insurer. Financial terms were not disclosed. Amulet,
based in Greenwich, Connecticut, formed U.S. Digestive in 2019 by
consolidating three regional practices.
Optum subsidiary SCA Health, one of the largest ASC chains in the
country, acquired one of the country’s largest gastroenterology
physician groups in early 2025 from a private equity owner.
UnitedHealth subsidiary SCA Health acquired one of the largest
gastroenterology physician group practices in the U.S. in early
2025 from a private equity firm,
<https://www.inquirer.com/health/unitedhealth-optum-bought-us-dig
estive-health-usdh-20250819.html> The Philadelphia Inquirer
reported Aug. 19. SCA acquired Exton, Pa.-based U.S. Digestive
Health from Amulet Capital Partners in January without an
announcement, according to the report. The Inquirer learned of
the sale from a retired physician. UnitedHealth Group confirmed
the deal and said SCA’s acquisition will “allow U.S. Digestive
Health to continue providing digestive care excellence in every
community they serve, while advancing our shared efforts to
provide quality-driven, high-value and innovative care.”
U.S. Digestive Health employs more than 149 physicians and
provides services at 24 ambulatory surgery centers in
Pennsylvania and Delaware, according to the report. The sale
price was not disclosed. U.S. Digestive Health was formed in
2019 by Amulet in partnership with member practice partner
physicians.
Here are five things to know:
1. Exton, Pa.-based U.S. Digestive Health was purchased by SCA
Health from Amulet Capital Partners in January, according to The
Philadelphia Inquirer. The transaction was completed quietly
without a formal announcement.
2. The Inquirer reported the sale after being tipped off by a
retired physician. UnitedHealth Group later confirmed the
acquisition, stating that the deal will “allow U.S. Digestive
Health to continue providing digestive care excellence in every
community they serve, while advancing our shared efforts to
provide quality-driven, high-value and innovative care.”
3. The purchase price has not been made public.
4. U.S. Digestive Health encompasses more than 250
gastroenterology providers, operating across 40 sites and 24 ASCs
in Pennsylvania and Delaware. The organization was originally
formed in 2019 through the consolidation of three regional GI
practices.
5. The group recently finalized a five-year agreement with
Highmark Health, a Blue Cross Blue Shield affiliate.
The M&A market for healthcare companies continues to build on STRATEGIC opportunities and a fragmented market. Consolidations along with unprecedented demand are driving scale across the continuum of care. The strategic corporate buyers and private equity investors remain committed to acquiring strong businesses that are well prepared for a transaction. Across the continuum of care, these buyers and investors are looking for well established, profitable businesses and offering prime valuations and options for management.
Do you know the current market value of your business? We do! We are here to help you plan, prepare, explore and succeed in executing your strategic options.
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