Fresenius Medical Care closes three-way merger and creates premier value-based kidney care provider in the U.S.

Fresenius Medical Care, the world's leading provider of products and services for individuals with kidney diseases, has closed the three-way merger including Fresenius Health Partners, the value-based care division of Fresenius Medical Care North America. The transaction, first announced in March 2022, has satisfied customary closing conditions and received regulatory clearance in the U.S. 

The new company, which will operate under the InterWell Health brand, brings together Fresenius Health Partners’ expertise in kidney care value-based contracting and performance, InterWell Health’s clinical care models and strong network of 1,700 nephrologists and Cricket Health’s tech-enabled care model that utilizes its proprietary informatics, StageSmart™️ and patient engagement platforms to create an innovative, stand-alone entity poised to transform kidney care. 

With the completion of the merger, the new company expects to engage and manage the care of more than 270,000 Americans living with kidney disease with more than $11 billion in costs under management by 2025, an increase from 100,000 covered lives and $6 billion currently under management. The strategic expansion along the Renal Care Continuum significantly expands InterWell Health’s total addressable market in the U.S. from approximately $50 billion to $170 billion.

Helen Giza, Deputy CEO of Fresenius Medical Care, said: “I am enthusiastic to see this merger being completed which will support our sustainable profitable growth. InterWell Health will be the premier value-based kidney care provider in the U.S., combining and leveraging innovative new tools, vast experience, and a deep nephrologist network. By further expanding into the strategically important chronic kidney disease stage-3-to-5-market, we will be able to support even more patients throughout the Renal Care Continuum, including earlier interventions to prevent disease prior to kidney failure. This is good for patients, the payers, and our shareholders.”

Bill Valle, CEO of Fresenius Medical Care North America and of the future Care Delivery segment for Fresenius Medical Care, said: “We are excited to see the transformative impact we will have on patient outcomes and kidney care delivery in the U.S. as we bring together three leading value-based kidney care entities. InterWell Health is well positioned to improve patient outcomes with fewer hospital admissions, slow disease progression, increase transplant referrals and rates, and continue our transition to home dialysis. We expect results to be a higher quality of life for patients, improved health equity, and lower total costs for the healthcare industry.”

Any potential book gains arising with closing of the transaction are not expected to be material on Fresenius Medical Care’s earnings and will be treated as a special item.