Health benefits provider Anthem agreed on Wednesday to acquire US-based palliative care provider Aspire Health for an undisclosed sum, providing an exit for internet and technology conglomerate Alphabet.
Founded in 2013, Aspire Health offers non-hospice care to patients suffering from serious illnesses. It works with each patient’s physician to create a personalised care plan and has partnered more than 20 health plans across 25 US states.
Aspire employs doctors, nurses, social workers and chaplains to deliver services such as symptom and disease management, coordinating with other medical professionals, caregivers and family members, and round-the-clock home visits from nurses as required by patients.
The company’s services are expected to complement Anthem’s existing clinical care offerings, CareMore Health and AIM.
Aspire has raised $57.5m in total funding, most recently closing a $32m round in late 2016 led by GV, a corporate venturing subsidiary of Alphabet. Oak HC/FT had led a $15m round the year before.
BlueCross BlueShield Venture Partners, the investment arm of health insurance group Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, took part in a $5.5m round for Aspire in 2014 that included Sandbox Industries, FCA Venture Partners and Clayton Associates.