McKesson To Acquire Portico Systems

Julie Ritzer Ross | | Radiology Business | Business Intelligence
In a move seemingly reflective of new directions in payment-bundling and risk-sharing among payors and providers, McKesson announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Portico Systems, a vendor of systems and software to health plans. The pending acquisition will allow McKesson to assemble a suite of products and services to designed to aid providers and payors as they strive to configure new payment and care delivery models in line with health care reform. Among major initiatives for the new entity will be helping to provide the information capabilities necessary for effective management of accountable care organizations (ACOs). While ACOs are not really official networks of providers, McKesson and Portico expect to leverage the latter’s network management tools in an ACO setting.imageRepresentatives of McKesson and Portico declined to announce the agreed sale price. However, Safeguard Scientifics, which holds a significant stake in Portico, pegs this figure at $90 million. Of that total, $5 million will be contingent on Portico attaining certain performance milestones. The acquisition is expected to close within 45 days, pending regulatory approval. Roughly 140 U.S.-based employees of Portico will continue to operate from its Blue Bell, Pa. headquarters as well as its office in Beaverton, Ore.To read the press release, click here.

Julie Ritzer Ross,

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