March 19 (Reuters) - Amedisys ( AMED ) said on Tuesday

Oregon's health authority has started a review of UnitedHealth

Group's ( UNH ) $3.3 billion acquisition of the home health and

hospice caregiver.

UnitedHealth ( UNH ) had announced the acquisition in June, after

competing with Option Care Health ( OPCH ).

The acquisition was meant to help expand UnitedHealth's ( UNH )

presence in home healthcare, a business it bolstered through a

$5.4 billion deal to buy Amedisys' ( AMED ) rival, LHC Group, last year.

Oregon's notice said it expects to complete the review

within 180 days within receipt of a transaction form, which the

agency had confirmed in December, according to Amedisys ( AMED ).