Health Management Associates buys Wakely Consulting Group

Health Management Associates (HMA), a national healthcare research and consulting firm, has acquired Wakely Consulting Group, a Tampa, FL-based healthcare actuarial consultancy.

Founded in 1999, Wakely Consulting’s actuaries have experience across all facets of the healthcare industry, from payers to providers and government agencies. The firm has deep expertise in Medicare and Medicaid, risk adjustment, rate setting, forecasting, strategy development, and market analysis.

Wakely has more than 130 employees across six US offices, and is a certified Women’s Business Enterprise.

"Wakely is widely recognized for its exceptional healthcare actuarial expertise, providing clients with pivotal insights and tools to better understand their business and the environment in which they operate. Such services are a critical component for any organization's sustained success," Jay Rosen, founder, president, and co-chairman of Health Management Associates said. "I am excited to welcome such talented and accomplished professionals to the HMA team as we continue to expand upon the ways we can help our clients thrive."Wakely will operate as “Wakely Consulting Group, an HMA Company.” Financial terms of transaction were not disclosed.

The deal builds on HMA’s July 2021 acquisition of Erdington Health Consulting, another healthcare actuarial firm.

"We are thrilled to be joining forces with the HMA team,” said Julia Lambert, president of Wakely. "Over the years, Wakely consultants have worked closely with HMA in navigating the evolving healthcare landscape. I look forward to the new solutions, expanded services, and deeper expertise that the combined companies will be able to deliver to our clients and the industry."

HMA was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Lansing, MI. The firm advises on publicly funded healthcare and human services policy, programs, and financing, and works with health plans, health systems, government agencies, and public and private providers, among other clients.

HMA's consulting services span analytics, behavioral health, clinical services, Covid-19 support, public health, delivery system redesign, government programs, healthcare IT, opioid crisis response, and long-term services and support.

The firm has more than 300 multidisciplinary consultants across over 20 US offices.