WellPoint said it has acquired Lumenos in a deal worth $185 million. Lumenos, which specializes in consumer driven health plans, offers customers Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRAS). The deal gives WellPoint a strong nationwide position in a market that is expected to pick up over the next several years as Washington pushes for consumer-focused plans. Just over 1 million health savings accounts have been opened since they became available in 2003, according to trade group America's Health Insurance Plans.
For more on the deal:
- see this press release from WellPoint.
PLUS: On the other hand, some critics argue HSAs are unlikely to ever do all that well. The Wall Street Journal reports "a slow start," among customers at federal plans, a group expected to be early adopters. Story (sub. req.)