American Health Insurance Company Anthem, Inc. announced that the company has signed an agreement to takeover Aspire Health, the nation’s largest non-hospice, community-based palliative care provider.  

Aspire was founded in 2013, based on patient algorithms Aspire identifies patients with serious health issues who can profit from an extra layer of support. Once patients are identified, Aspire appoints clinicians to give a better treatment. The company provides services under contracts to 25 consumers’ states with more than 20 health plans. The company also offers 24-7 support to patients.

“Several studies have repeatedly demonstrated how advanced illness programs can provide high patient and family satisfaction, reduce hospitalization, and decrease costs,” said Brad Smith Chief Executive Officer Aspire. “As part of Anthem, we believe we will be able to further scale our model and positively impact the lives of even more consumers and families, making home-based advanced illness care available to patients who need it.”

The acquisition is expected to close by the 3^rd quarter of 2018 under standard closing conditions and customary approvals required for the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act. The transaction is expected to be neutral to earnings in 2018 and accretive to earnings in 2019. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.