Optum Everycare CEO Jennifer Phalen announced the closure of the Optum Virtual Care unit in an internal conference call on April 18, with layoffs expected in July. There are no details on integrating Virtual Care capabilities into other Optum units. This is the second announcement of layoffs and closures within two weeks for Optum. The sudden growth and consolidation of telehealth are evident as Optum opened the unit in April 2021. Even though Optum had recorded a significant increase in telehealth visits, the closure of the unit reflects a shift away from specialized virtual care units towards integration with other services.
Advocate Health is selling PERS provider MobileHelp as it no longer aligns with their strategic priorities. The sale of MobileHelp, acquired by Advocate Aurora Enterprises in April 2022, is expected to close later this year. The Department of Veterans Affairs has alerted veterans about the Change Healthcare data breach and disclosure of PII/PHI, offering free credit monitoring and identity theft protection. HHS has not received notification from Change Healthcare or UHG regarding the breach. Larry Ellison announced plans to move Oracle’s headquarters to Nashville due to its prominence in the healthcare industry.
In conclusion, the closure of the Optum Virtual Care unit signifies a shift in the telehealth landscape towards integration with other services. The sale of MobileHelp by Advocate Health reflects changing strategic priorities. The Change Healthcare data breach has raised concerns at the Department of Veterans Affairs, while HHS awaits notification from the companies involved. Larry Ellison’s decision to move Oracle’s headquarters to Nashville emphasizes the city’s healthcare industry prominence.
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