Americans are getting older, and some healthcare leaders expect this to be a challenge for the healthcare industry. Others, however, think this is an opportunity for the industry to make improvements, such as engaging adults in their care before they turn 65.

Kidney care company Strive Health announced last week that it is collaborating with primary care company Oak Street Health to serve Medicare members with stage 4 chronic kidney disease and end-stage kidney disease.

Oak Street Health teamed up with kidney care management company Interwell Health to create a joint venture called OakWell, which seeks to provide primary care to end-stage kidney disease patients directly in existing dialysis centers. End stage kidney disease patients spend upwards of 12 hours per week in dialysis centers — OakWell is meant to eliminate the barrier of attending separate, additional medical appointments.

Analysts predict that disruptors could own as much as 30% of the $260 billion primary care market by 2030. A recent report from the American Hospital Association outlines major moves the healthcare industry should be watching this year from disruptors like Amazon, CVS and Walgreens — from billion-dollar acquisitions of primary care companies to expanding clinic locations to efforts in the home care space.

Rumors of the deal first surfaced in January, with some dismissing the idea. Several experts say the deal makes sense for CVS Health, as it looks to expand into primary and value-based senior care.

CVS Health announced investments this week in Carbon Health, Monogram Health and Array Behavioral Care. There have also been rumors that the company is exploring a $10 billion deal with primary care company Oak Street Health.

Gil Addo, CEO and co-founder of RubiconMD, is taking part in a discussion on value-based care and access to healthcare in rural communities at the ViVE conference by HLTH and CHIME in Miami Beach March 6-9. In an interview, he discussed behavioral health and rural health initiatives.

In its earnings statement, the company disclosed that it received a civil investigative demand from the Department of Justice. Specifically, the agency was looking for information on Oak Street’s relationships with third-party marketing agents and transportation services. 

Oak Street Health plans to integrate virtual specialty care into its primary care centers for Medicare patients. It struck a deal to acquire RubiconMD for $130 million in cash, with another $60 million in milestone payments.

Seniors in the U.S. are among the hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic and providing them with primary care proved to be a major challenge. But several organizations rose to the occasion, deftly changing their care delivery strategies as the pandemic evolved.

Patient engagement and experience were coming into focus as part of the overall transformation of healthcare, but the advent of Covid-19 has thrust it to the forefront. Hear from patients, providers, retailers, tech disruptors and others about why patient engagement is paramount.

The retailer will partner with Oak Street Health, which operates primary care centers for Medicare patients. The two companies will start with three primary care clinics in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Oak Street Health, which operates primary care centers for Medicare patients, went public on Thursday for $328 million. Its capitation payment model has helped the company continue on where many clinics have struggled during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Oak Street Health, a Chicago-based company that operates primary care centers for Medicare patients, filed initial IPO paperwork on Friday. The company has not yet priced the offering, but it plans to use the proceeds to repay a loan and grow its business.