Rite Aid acquires Health Dialog Services Corporation

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid on Tuesday announced it has acquired Boston-based Health Dialog Services Corp., a provider of health coaching, shared decision making and healthcare analytics from Bupa, a London-based international healthcare services group. Through the acquisition, Health Dialog will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Rite Aid. 

Rite Aid's acquisition of Health Dialog will also support and advance Rite Aid Health Alliance, a health management collaboration among various healthcare providers who deliver comprehensive care and support to individuals with chronic and poly-chronic health conditions. Health Dialog has been working closely with Rite Aid over the past year as the program has been developed, and currently provides care coaches for Rite Aid Health Alliance. 

"This acquisition will provide Health Dialog with an expanded footprint to grow its existing business as well as further leverage the company's coaching services' expertise as we work to bring Rite Aid Health Alliance to more Rite Aid markets and customers," stated John Standley, Rite Aid chairman and CEO. "Additionally, we will benefit from Health Dialog's industry-leading analytics and shared-decision making tools, helping us to better serve the health and wellness needs of our customers and further develop our pharmacy services as a growing retail health care company."  

Through Rite Aid Health Alliance, patients with chronic and poly-chronic conditions, like congestive heart failure, COPD, high cholesterol and diabetes, are recommended to the program by their primary care physician. Rite Aid pharmacists and specially trained care coaches, located in Rite Aid pharmacies, work with the physician and patient on an on-going basis to improve the patient's overall health and self-management abilities. The care team members collaborate with the patient to establish health goals, eliminate barriers and create a personalized health care action plan in coordination with the patient's physician.  

Rite Aid Health Alliance is currently offered to patients recommended by their physicians to participate in the pilot program at select Rite Aid pharmacies in Buffalo, N.Y., Greensboro, N.C., and the greater Los Angeles area. 

Details of the transaction were not disclosed.