Private Equity Firms Explore UnitedHealth Optum UK Acquisition

UnitedHealth Group's UK division of Optum, which includes the electronic patient record system EMIS, is attracting interest from private equity firms including Blackstone. Optum UK was acquired by UnitedHealth in 2023 for approximately £1.2 billion, a purchase the company now seeks to recoup amid a significant valuation decline of UnitedHealth's stock. Blackstone, the world's largest alternative-asset manager with $1.211 trillion in assets under management, is among several bidders assessing the opportunity to expand its healthcare investment portfolio. Bank of America is advising on the potential sale process, which has garnered attention due to Optum's approval by British competition regulators following a thorough review. The sale reflects broader strategic moves by UnitedHealth to address its decreased market capitalization and optimize its holdings in the UK healthcare technology sector. Optum and Blackstone have not commented on the potential transaction amid ongoing market speculation.