With an eye toward the "irreversible transition" toward value-based care, EHR analytics firm Arcadia Healthcare Solutions has acquired Sage Technologies, which develops implementation tools and managed services for ACOs.

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Sage has a nearly two-decade track record of outsourced managed care operations, third party claims administration, analytics and quality improvement programs. Arcadia officials say it will bolster its offerings for health organizations looking to manage in a value-based world.

The shift away from fee-for-service means "unlocking the value of EHR data is the key to success," said Sean Carroll, CEO, Arcadia Healthcare Solutions, in a press statement announcing the acquisition. "Sage brings differentiated operational expertise in supporting organizations well into this journey, and a deeply engaged client base with a strong presence in the Midwest."

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Arcadia's analytics technology helps its customers – some 3,000 provider practices nationwide, serving 20 million patients, officials say – aggregate and harmonize clinical data from more than 30 EHR vendors and multiple health insurance claims systems. For its part, Sage Technologies will ensure a consistently high-quality data asset and help presenting analyses in a more actionable way, according to Arcadia.

The firm plans to leverage Sage's expertise to help physician groups pursue value-based care, with support of ACO/shared risk; integration and harmonization of EHR, claims and operational data; population health management; and other analytics for patient to help inform decision-making.

"With 20 years of experience in managed care and operations for healthcare providers and insurance companies, we have seen the industry go through a dramatic shift," said Sage Technologies CEO Brian Croegaert in a statement. "With Arcadia's ability to provide technologies that support provider groups' health system and health plan partners as they manage the transition to value-based care, the decision to drive this transformation together is a natural progression for our company."

The acquisition, terms of which were not disclosed, is being funded by Arcadia investors, alongside Peloton Equity, with participation by Morgan Stanley Alternative Investment Partners, Zaffre Investments and Escalate Capital Partners.