Behavioral healthcare merger and acquisition activity climbed in 2025, and transactions in 2026 suggest continuing actively 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 three transactions to know in 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 $2.2 billion.
