Documents submitted by UnitedHealth (UNH.US) and Amedisys (AMED.US) on Friday show that the two companies have agreed to extend the deadline for completing the $3.3 billion merger agreement until next year, mainly due to the fact that the Trade is under review by the USA Department of Justice.

Earlier, the Department of Justice and three states in the USA filed a lawsuit to block the Trade, concerned that it would reduce competition in the home Veterinary Services market.

The documents indicate that the two companies have reached a new waiver agreement, extending the merger deadline to 10 days after the court makes a final ruling in the lawsuit, or until December 31, 2025.