IBMÂ (NYSE: IBM) plans to buy cloud-based health data and analytic tools provider Truven Health Analytics from Veritas Capital for $2.6 billion in a bid to further expand its Watson Health business unit’s platforms for value-based care.
IBM said Thursday it plans to integrate Truven’s cloud-based platforms and health claims data with the Watson Health Cloud and expects the transaction to be completed later this year, pending regulatory reviews.
The company added the acquisition will allow IBM Watson Health to gain access to Truven’s over 8, 500 clients in the life sciences industry, healthcare sector and federal government.
The deal comes after IBM agreed to acquire medical imaging services provider Merge Healthcare (Nasdaq: MRGE) for $1 billion in August 2015.
Value-based care is a healthcare model that seeks to improve patients’ health outcomes at reduced cost through the use of payment incentives for medical providers that offer evidence-based medicine.
