14 behavioral healthcare M&A deals in 2026. By: Ella Ruder Behavioral healthcare M&A activity climbed in 2025, and transactions in 2026 suggest continuing activity across the sector. Deal volume rose more than 42% in 2025 with 104 publicly announced transactions, compared to 73 in 2024 and 83 in 2023. Here are 14 transactions to know in 2026: * Temecula, Calif.-based Terra Behavioral Health entered into an agreement Sept. 16 to acquire Latitude Recovery Center in Carlsbad, Calif., marking its first acquisition. Latitude provides care for individuals with substance use and co-occurring mental health needs. The agreement will expand Terra Behavioral Health's Southern California continuum of care. The organizations said the combination will provide greater access to care and expanded services for military members, veterans and first responders. * Red Bank, N.J.-based PAX Health acquired Ho-Ho-Kus, N.J.-based Makraf IME, a statewide psychology and neuropsychology independent medical examination (IME) provider group operating across 17 counties. Makraf IME provides independent medical examination opinions on causality, need for treatment, maximum medical improvement, permanency and fitness for duty. The practice also provides psychology and neuropsychology IMEs, disability evaluations, permanency evaluations and fitness-for-duty evaluations. * Tulsa, Okla.-based Family and Children's Services and Oklahoma City-based Hope Community Services completed their merger. The combined organization forms a $208 million behavioral health system with nearly 1,800 employees providing more than 70 programs across 12 locations and more than 30 co-located sites. * Lewiston, Maine-based Common Ties Mental Health Services merged with Sweetser, a Maine-based nonprofit behavioral health organization, as smaller providers face growing operational and financial pressures. The merger creates the largest certified community behavioral health clinic in Maine and aims to expand behavioral health services in Androscoggin County. * Curio FZ, a behavioral health company focused on clinical care, digital therapeutics and care navigation, acquired Nora Mental Health, a multi-state network of community-based mental health clinics. Founded in 2018, Nora provides therapy and medication management services through in-person and telehealth visits. * Asheville, N.C.-based Vaya Health and Gastonia, N.C.-based Partners Health Management will consolidate to form Vaya Partners, effective Oct. 1, 2026, creating what the organizations said will be North Carolina's largest publicly governed behavioral health organization. The combined organization will serve more than 222,000 members across 47 counties and focus on care for individuals with mental health conditions, substance use disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and traumatic brain injuries. * The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the Jed Foundation plan to consolidate into a single organization, with the transaction expected to be complete this fall. The combined nonprofit will focus on suicide prevention across youth and adult populations, integrating the AFSP's national chapter network, research investment and policy work with JED's youth-focused mental health programs. * Hamilton, Ohio-based Primary Health Solutions acquired Moraine, Ohio-based South Community Behavioral Health in a deal that closed July 1. The transaction aims to expand access to behavioral health services and strengthen integrated, community-based care across the Greater Miami Valley region. * Waterbury, Conn.-based Wellmore and Hartford, Conn.-based the Village for Families and Children merged operations July 1. Both nonprofit organizations offer mental and behavioral healthcare, including programs for school readiness, early childhood education, home-based counseling, substance use prevention and recovery, and crisis care. * Farmington, Conn.-based UConn Health acquired and integrated Middletown, Conn.-based Solnit Hospital into a satellite location of UConn John Dempsey Hospital in Farmington. Solnit Hospital is a children and adolescent psychiatric facility. The integration will expand UConn Health's behavioral health services through its academic medical center. * King of Prussia, Pa.-based Universal Health Services acquired Talkspace, an online behavioral healthcare provider. The acquisition aims to expand access and offer flexible solutions to address increasing demand for behavioral healthcare services. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026. * Wheeling, W.Va-based Orchard Park Hospital signed a letter of intent to merge with Morgantown, W.Va.-based WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital. Orchard Park, a 30-bed inpatient pediatric psychiatric hospital, will work with WVU Medicine Golisano Children's and the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute to continue providing pediatric and adolescent mental healthcare services. * Concord, Calif.-based Center for Social Dynamics acquired Alamogordo, N.M.-based Behavior Change Institute to expand access to autism and behavioral health services, and accelerate development of new treatment models that blend in-person, virtual and immersive technologies. * Frisco, Texas-based Magellan Health entered into an agreement to be acquired by Madison Health Group. The transaction will allow Magellan to operate as an independent managed behavioral healthcare company, the investment group said. Magellan was acquired by Centene in January 2021 in a deal valued at the time at $2.2 billion. At the Becker's Fall Behavioral Health Summit, taking place November 4-5 in Chicago, behavioral health leaders and executives will explore strategies for expanding access to care, integrating services, addressing workforce challenges and leveraging innovation to improve outcomes across the behavioral health continuum. Apply for complimentary registration now. Friday, September 25 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT Presenters: Sara Gotheridge, Array|Dominique Dietz, OSF HealthCare|Earl E. Walker, Jr., Ed.D., MBA, FACHE, PMP, CSSGB, Behavioral Health, Bayhealth|Tracey Izzard, Enterprise Behavioral Health, Sentara Health|Julie Swann MBA, MHA, BSN, RN, NEA-BC, Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital Next up in investment & transactions. * Loma Linda University Health cuts ribbon on EmPATH unit Loma Linda (Calif.) University Health held a Sept. 15 ribbon-cutting for its Emergency Psychiatric Assessment, Treatment, and Healing (EmPATH) Unit... By: Ella Ruder * The new 4-in-1 mental health screening tool A 13-item Mental Wellness Tool detected common or severe mental disorders, substance use disorders and suicide risk among patients receiving... By: Ella Ruder * 9 behavioral health partnerships to know | 2026 Behavioral healthcare providers and systems are increasingly turning to partnerships with the goal of expanding access to mental health and... By: Ella Ruder

Primary Health Solutions opens new Infusion Center to expand access to specialty care. Primary Health Solutions (PHS) is pleased to announce the opening of the Primary Health Infusion Center, a new specialty care service designed to provide patients with convenient access to infusion and injectable therapies for chronic and complex health conditions. Located at 210 South Second Street, Suite 220, Hamilton, Ohio, the Primary Health Infusion Center will begin serving patients on September 21, 2026. The new center has been established through a partnership between Primary Health Solutions and Junction Health, a nationally recognized provider of infusion services and patient support solutions. Together, the organizations will bring advanced infusion care closer to home for patients throughout Butler County and surrounding communities. "The Primary Health Infusion Center is an important investment in the health of our community," said Stephen Roller, President & Chief Executive Officer of Primary Health Solutions. "Many patients requiring infusion therapy face significant challenges navigating treatment, insurance requirements and travel to distant facilities. By bringing these services closer to home through our partnership with Junction Health, we are making specialty care more accessible, more convenient and more connected to the trusted providers patients already know." The Primary Health Infusion Center will offer infusion and injection therapies used to treat a variety of chronic, autoimmune, neurological, gastrointestinal, and inflammatory conditions, including: * Rheumatoid Arthritis * Crohn's Disease * Ulcerative Colitis * Multiple Sclerosis * Lupus * Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis * Severe Asthma * Chronic Migraine * Iron Deficiency Anemia * Osteoporosis * High cholesterol (hyperlipidemia) * And other qualifying conditions The Center will be led by Dr. Anubhav Mital, who will serve as Medical Director while continuing to provide care as a Primary Health Solutions provider. "Our goal is to ensure patients have access to the therapies they need in a setting that is both convenient and compassionate," said Dr. Mital, Medical Director of the Primary Health Infusion Center. "Many patients require ongoing specialty treatments to manage chronic conditions. By bringing these services into the community, we can help make care more accessible and support patients throughout their treatment journey." "Infusion therapy can be an important part of managing complex and chronic conditions, and having access to these treatments in a community-based setting can make a meaningful difference for patients," said Brandi Ballantyne, Chief Health Officer at Primary Health Solutions. "By adding infusion services to the care we provide, we are creating another opportunity to coordinate care, reduce barriers and help patients receive the treatment they need while remaining connected to their broader healthcare team." In addition to clinical care, the Primary Health Infusion Center will provide comprehensive patient support services, including insurance verification, prior authorization assistance, scheduling coordination and patient education. The Center is designed to deliver a comfortable, patient-focused experience while maintaining close communication with referring providers and specialists. "Expanding access to quality healthcare services is central to our mission," said Ben Widerhold, CEO of Junction Health. "We are excited to partner with Primary Health Solutions to bring high-quality infusion care to the Butler County community. Together, we can help ensure patients receive timely treatment and personalized support throughout every step of their care journey." Healthcare providers will be able to refer patients directly to the Center for evaluation and treatment. The opening of the Primary Health Infusion Center reflects Primary Health Solutions' continued commitment to removing barriers to care and improving health outcomes across the communities it serves. About Primary Health Solutions Primary Health Solutions (PHS) is a non-profit healthcare provider serving Southwest Ohio with locations in Hamilton, Fairfield, Middletown, Oxford, Dayton, and Trenton. Each year, PHS provides compassionate, patient-centered medical, dental, pharmacy, behavioral health and specialty care to more than 40,000 people, ensuring high-quality care is accessible to all members of the community. For more information, visit www.myprimaryhealthsolutions.org. About Junction Health Junction Health partners with healthcare organizations to deliver comprehensive infusion services, including clinical coordination, patient support, operational management, and access to specialty therapies. Through innovative care models, Junction Health helps expand access to high-quality infusion care in community-based settings.

Stephen Roller named finalist for 2026 C-Suite Awards. Primary Health Solutions is excited to announce that President & CEO, Stephen Roller, has been named a finalist for the 2026 C-Suite Awards presented by The Cincinnati Business Courier. This recognition celebrates Stephen's leadership, vision and ongoing commitment to expanding access to comprehensive, high-quality healthcare throughout the communities Primary Health Solutions serve. Under his leadership, PHS continues to grow innovative services and strengthen its ability to meet the evolving healthcare needs of patients and families. The C-Suite Awards recognize accomplished executives who demonstrate strong leadership, vision and a commitment to making a meaningful impact within their organizations and communities. Being named a finalist is a significant honor and reflects Stephen's dedication to both the patients Primary Health Solutions serve and the PHS mission. Primary Health Solutions is proud to celebrate Stephen for this well-deserved recognition and grateful for the leadership he provides each day. His vision and commitment continue to help PHS build innovative care where it matters most.