Universal Health Services agrees to buy Talkspace for $835M
Hospital operator Universal Health Services (UHS) agreed on March 9, 2026 to acquire virtual behavioral health company Talkspace for $5.25 a share, an enterprise value of about $835 million. Talkspace brings about 6,000 licensed clinicians. It says it reaches more than 200 million Americans through employer and health plan contracts. UHS says the deal gives it inpatient, outpatient and virtual mental health care in one company. It expects Talkspace to add about $280 million in revenue. The deal closed on August 18, 2026.
Why it's notable: One of the largest US behavioral hospital operators is buying a national telehealth therapy network. Virtual therapy becomes a referral path into and out of its facilities, as mental health staffing shortages limit in-person capacity.