Nov 24 2009
OptumHealth Inc., a UnitedHealth Group company (NYSE: UNH), announced today that it has acquired leading global employee assistance program (EAP) provider PPC Worldwide. As workforces become more global, the acquisition responds to increasing demand around the world for essential services such as employee counseling, work-life balance support and crisis intervention.
Adding PPC Worldwide and its EAP network allows OptumHealth to further elevate the service it provides to employers on a global level. The two companies have partnered since 2005, and today provide international EAP services to more than 40 Fortune-ranked multinational companies.
“Fostering a culture of health and wellness is especially challenging for employers that manage complex multinational workforces,” said Dawn Owens, OptumHealth chief executive officer. “By adding PPC Worldwide, we expand our ability to serve those employers wherever they do business, and support their people wherever they live. This is a significant step for OptumHealth, as we continue to work with our customers overseas to enhance their employees’ health, well-being and productivity.”
The acquisition creates the leading global EAP provider, with offices and employees on five continents and a worldwide network of nearly 90,000 behavioral health providers.
“The combination of PPC Worldwide and OptumHealth establishes the first truly global EAP provider that can provide multinational companies with a complete solution across borders,” said Ed Radkiewicz, managing director of PPC Worldwide. “Having a physical presence everywhere we serve can help create implementation and cost efficiencies for employers, and helps ensure both consistent and culturally appropriate services for their employees.”
PPC Worldwide’s capabilities and global network provide new opportunities to develop and deliver solutions that combine core EAP services with advanced OptumHealth behavioral health programs.
“As business and industry become increasingly multinational, our clients are moving toward the globalization of their employee benefits and services,” said Gregory A. Bayer, Ph.D., chief executive officer of OptumHealth Behavioral Solutions. “Expanding our footprint helps us deliver important and needed services today, and will accelerate our ability to deliver integrated solutions that support their employees’ overall well-being.”