Anthem Finalizes Beacon Health Acquisition

Anthem said the acquisition creates an opportunity to combine existing behavioral health capabilities "with Beacon's successful model and support services in order to enhance whole person care."

Anthem, Inc. on Monday said it has finalized its previously announced acquisition of Beacon Health Options, the nation's largest independently held behavioral health organization.

Financial terms were not disclosed for the sale of Boston-based Beacon, which had been held by Bain Capital Private Equity and Diamond Castle Holdings. The newly acquired BHO will move into Anthem's Diversified Business Group.

Beacon serves 36 million peopel and almost 3 million individuals in comprehensive risk-based behavioral programs. Indianapolis-based Anthem said the acquisition creates an opportunity to combine existing behavioral health capabilities "with Beacon's successful model and support services in order to enhance whole person care."

"We are pleased to complete the acquisition of Beacon Health Options and are excited to expand our critical behavioral health services to more people across the country as part of our focus on true whole person care," Anthem CEO Gail K. Boudreaux said in a media release.

"Consumers and health plan customers alike will benefit from our ability to scale and integrate physical and behavioral capabilities in new and meaningful ways to improve lives," she said.  

When the deal was first announced last June, Beacon CEO Russell C. Petrella said the acquisition would provide Beacon will scale to expand service options.

"Together, we will expand access and enhance the quality of care for our mutual members," Petrella said in a statement. "I am proud of the talented and committed team at Beacon, and we look forward to our future with Anthem."