nib Group has acquired from Cigna its 50% stake in Honeysuckle Health, effective 1 March 2025, Honeysuckle Health Chief Executive Rhod McKensey said. Cigna and nib have operated Honeysuckle Health as a joint venture since 2019.
Honeysuckle Health’s operations include agreements with private health funds, hospitals, health and allied care providers and insurers. Its continued operations will remain consistent with Honeysuckle Health’s existing joint venture obligations ensuring client confidentiality, privacy and security needs are met.
Mr McKensey said nib intends to merge digital health company, Midnight Health’s₁ operations with Honeysuckle Health, under his leadership. The proposed merger of the two entities’ operations will deliver synergies in health management, particularly digital and telehealth programs, chronic disease management and marketing, along with some cost savings.
“Honeysuckle Health was a first of its kind for Australia, combining the rigor of data science and health management, to deliver outstanding outcomes,” Mr McKensey said. “The relationship has been very fruitful for nib, which brings a wealth of understanding and knowledge back into its core health operations,” he said.
“We thank our Cigna peers for their shared knowledge, vision and contributions, particularly with respect to data science and health management program design.”
Honeysuckle Health has supported almost 50,000 patients since its launch. “Developing better models of care is a critical part of creating better health outcomes for Australians,” Mr McKensey said. “Honeysuckle Health has a track record of creating effective health management programs, delivering better care in different settings, and providing pathways to services."
“Midnight Health has been an innovator and disruptor, providing equity and access to health to thousands of Australians. Our combined businesses have the potential to further deepen the connection between providers, patients and other healthcare workers, and deliver personalised services to Australians.”
₁ As at Feb 2025, nib owns 80% of Midnight Health.
