BlackRock replaces WCAS in joint venture with Humana for senior clinics

Oct 13 (Reuters) - Health insurer Humana said on Tuesday that investment manager BlackRock would replace private equity firm WCAS as its partner in a venture that owns nearly 150 senior primary care clinics in a deal valued at about $2.8 billion.

Under the structure, BlackRock will acquire the majority ownership stake previously held by Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe in the joint venture. Humana's CenterWell division will retain a minority ownership stake and continue to manage and operate all clinics.

Humana said the new arrangement will provide growth capital and lower its cost of capital. It also expects a significant reduction in the liabilities on its balance sheet.

"The $2.8 billion represents the value of WCAS's stake rather than announced proceeds to HUM," said Evercore ISI analyst Elizabeth Anderson.

"The main benefit of the transition is that it grants HUM more time to further develop the portfolio of clinics (and raise profitability) and further delay the date they have to exercise their option," Anderson added.

Starting in 2028, Humana's CenterWell will have the option to purchase clinics from the joint venture.

If CenterWell has not acquired all of the joint venture's clinics by the end of 2033, BlackRock can exit through a sale process, with CenterWell having the right to submit the first offer.

The transaction marks Humana's second strategic deal with BlackRock this year, following an agreement to divest its minority stake in Gentiva, a provider of hospice and palliative care services, to an investor consortium that includes BlackRock.

The latest BlackRock transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals.

Humana said the deal is not expected to have a material impact on its 2026 adjusted earnings guidance.

(Reporting by Kamal Choudhury in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli)