NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Emdeon Inc. plans to acquire Altegra Health, a provider of health care payment and analytics solutions, in a $910 million cash deal.

Emdeon said Monday that the acquisition will combine its Intelligent Healthcare Network revenue cycle management and payment solutions with Altegra Health’s risk adjustment and quality analytics to enable the delivery of innovative products that help health care organizations bolster care quality, optimize financial performance, and improve the member and patient experience.

One of the largest financial and administrative networks in the United States health care system, Emdeon’s Intelligent Healthcare Network reaches 700,000 doctors, 105,000 dentists, 60,000 pharmacies, 5,000 hospitals, 600 vendors, 450 laboratories, and 1,200 government and commercial payers. The network processed about 8.1 billion transactions last year.

Miami Lakes, Fla.-based Altegra is a national provider of technology-enabled, next-generation payment solutions that allow health plans and other risk-bearing health providers to generate, analyze and submit the data needed to manage member care and ensure proper reimbursement.

“Our health plan, provider and pharmacy customers look to Emdeon for innovative solutions to their most challenging problems,” stated Neil de Crescenzo, president and chief executive officer for Emdeon.  “Altegra Health has created leading end-to-end solutions that provide health plans and other risk-bearing organizations with the data, insights and related services they need to expertly manage care, ensure appropriate reimbursement and engage individuals in improving their use of the health care system.  By adding these capabilities and leveraging our Intelligent Healthcare Network, we can further expand the products and services we provide our customers as they address the needs of value-based health care.”

The acquisition is expected to close in the third quarter of this year, pending customary closing conditions.