Study notes critical gaps in care and services that must be addressed to meet the growing demands of the aging population in the U.S.
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Evernorth Announces Acquisition of Long-Term Partner, MDLIVE
BLOOMFIELD, Conn. and MIRAMAR, Fla., February 26, 2021 – Evernorth, the leading health services portfolio of Cigna, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire MDLIVE, a privately held, leading 24/7 virtual care delivery platform. Upon completion, this transaction will provide Evernorth with a highly complementary platform that will rapidly expand Evernorth’s capabilities to deliver a more affordable, convenient and connected patient care experience.
“Customers expect more convenient care interactions, and COVID-19 has rapidly accelerated this need. We see an immediate opportunity to build a new model of care delivery, one that delivers a connected experience with greater affordability, predictability and simplicity. With the opportunity to serve millions more people, and with more personalized ways to deliver care, we will have an even greater impact on our customers, clients and partners,” said Tim Wentworth, Chief Executive Officer of Evernorth. “Combining MDLIVE’s platform and strong network for virtual providers with our comprehensive care solutions, we will be better positioned to optimize the care journey to improve affordability and accessibility, and to deliver superior support to health plans as they advance their own care delivery models for the future.”
“Becoming part of the Evernorth portfolio is an opportunity for MDLIVE to join an organization that complements our work, and has been a long-time partner and investor in our business,” said Charles Jones, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MDLIVE. “Together, we can accelerate MDLIVE’s growth strategy and ability to serve more customers, while also building new services that will benefit our existing stakeholders, including employees, partners, patients, customers, health plans and providers. With this transaction, Evernorth will gain an industry-leading platform, and a passionate and pioneering workforce that made virtual care a reality, and an essential and life-saving service during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
With high customer and provider satisfaction ratings, it is clear patients and providers value their experience with MDLIVE. MDLIVE also has a sizable and forward-thinking client base, a class-leading provider network, brand recognition among customers and consumers, and experience in medical and behavioral health. Together, we imagine a new end-to-end care experience to complement – not replace – the way customers and patients interact with their existing providers to achieve:
earlier identification and diagnosis of critical care needs;
faster and more seamless referrals to high-performing providers, including specialists and behavioral health; and
more convenient access to appropriate, affordable sites of service, and pharmaceutical fulfillment.
“From cost to complexity to quality, there is tremendous potential for progress in health care. As one, Evernorth and MDLIVE can accelerate meaningful change,” said Eric Palmer, President and Chief Operating Officer of Evernorth. “MDLIVE will be part of the new, differentiated and future-state care solutions that improve the patient experience, close the patient-provider accessibility gap, and bring providers opportunities to augment the services they currently offer. We’ll also have the opportunity to expand the reach of MDLIVE’s capabilities to Evernorth’s clients, as well as Cigna’s U.S. Medical customers and clients.”
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2021, subject to receipt of required regulatory approvals.
Advisors
BofA Securities acted as exclusive financial advisor to MDLIVE, and Davis Polk & Wardwell served as legal counsel.
Greenhill & Co., LLC served as exclusive financial advisor to Cigna. Wachtell Lipton Rosen & Katz served as legal counsel, and Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton acted as regulatory counsel to Cigna.
About Evernorth
Evernorth is Cigna’s high-performing health services portfolio. The Evernorth brand is anchored by Evernorth Health, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cigna Corporation, and the parent company of the Express Scripts, Accredo and eviCore companies. Evernorth brings together and coordinates premier health services offerings to deliver innovative and flexible solutions for health plans, employers and government programs. All Evernorth solutions are serviced and provided by or through operating affiliates of Evernorth Health or third-party partners. To learn more about Evernorth, visit https://www.Evernorth.com/.
About MDLIVE
MDLIVE offers convenient, affordable and contagion-free virtual healthcare services to over 60 million members nationwide. Our network of board-certified physicians, dermatologists, psychiatrists and therapists are specially trained in virtual care and are committed to the highest quality treatment and the best possible patient experience. We leverage technology and artificial intelligence to simplify and streamline, connecting providers and patients whenever and wherever it’s most convenient, often within just minutes. To learn more about our expanding product suite and our partnerships with major health plans, hospital systems and employers, visit www. MDLIVE.com, download our app, or text “Sophie” to MDLIVE (635483) to register.
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