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January 24, 2026
Kirkland Represents WellCare on Combination with Centene for $17.3 Billion
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AI-made summary
- Kirkland & Ellis advised WellCare Health Plans, Inc
- on its merger agreement with Centene Corporation, valued at $17.3 billion
- The combined entity will focus on government-sponsored healthcare programs and become a leader in Medicaid, Medicare, and the Health Insurance Marketplace
- The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions, with completion expected in the first half of 2020
- The Kirkland team included partners and associates from transactional, executive compensation, and antitrust practices.
Kirkland & Ellis advised WellCare Health Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) on its merger agreement to combine with Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) for a total enterprise value of $17.3 billion. The transaction will create a premier healthcare enterprise focused on government-sponsored healthcare programs and a leader in Medicaid, Medicare and the Health Insurance Marketplace. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions and is expected to be completed in the first half of 2020. Read the company press release
The Kirkland team was led by transactional partners Sarkis Jebejian, Michael Brueck and Keri Schick Norton and associate Romain Dambre; executive compensation partners Michael Krasnovsky and Kate Coverdale and associate Malhar Naik; and antitrust & competition partners Mark Kovner and Jeffrey Ayer.
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