Nov. 5, 2021 — Not-for-profit vision benefits company VSP Vision Care has acquired iCare Health Solutions, an integrated specialty network and administrator of comprehensive ocular care services, from Pine Tree Equity Partners, a private equity firm focused on the investment in and expansion of health care services businesses.
 
VSP Vision care shares that the iCare Health Solutions management team members will continue in their roles and the company will operate independently while leveraging VSP Vision Care’s resources.
 
“As Florida’s largest integrated eyecare provider, iCare Health Solutions further strengthens our presence in the Southeast through their exceptional delivery of patient-centered care for health plans and their members,” says Kate Renwick-Espinosa, president of VSP Vision Care. “Together, we remain committed to preserving and enhancing the relationship between doctors and their patients.”
 
Founded nearly 40 years ago, iCare Health Solutions specializes in comprehensive eyecare management, combining routine eye care, medical eye care, and surgical care to maximize efficiency and deliver improved health outcomes, shares the company. Through partnerships with health plans and multispecialty clinics, the company serves nearly three million members through a network of optometrists and ophthalmologists, including nearly 60 held practices and ambulatory surgical centers throughout Florida.
 
“With VSP’s support, we’ll continue our work to simplify vision care delivery while offering more opportunities to our providers and expanded services to our members,” says Lee Stern, CEO of iCare Health Solutions. “We’re excited to help more people see better, feel better, and live healthier lives.”
 
Separately, VSP Ventures recently announced the acquisition of nine eyecare locations throughout California.
 
The acquired locations include five practices in Northern California: Auburn Family Optometry, Inc., in Auburn; Axis Eye Optometric Group in Elk Grove; Dr. Thomas A. Aller in San Bruno; and the practices of Dr. Alexander Goncalves and Dr. Marvin Nakamoto in Sacramento. The other locations are in Southern California: Dr. Bass Vision Center with locations in Orange County and Los Angeles County, Del Amo Optometry in Torrance, Freestone Optometric Center in Rialto, and LaFont Family Eyecare Optometry in Buena Park.
 
“We’re honored to be the choice of so many successful and well-respected doctors of optometry,” says VSP Ventures president Tiffanie Burkhalter, who EB recently interviewed. “We continue to provide unique options that respond to the practice transition needs of eye doctors while carrying forward their legacy of great patient care.”