The Trickle Down Of Health Plan Mergers

Last month there was some big consolidation news in the world of health care – on July 3, 2015, Aetna and Humana announced a definitive agreement in which Aetna will acquire Humana for $37 billion (see Aetna To Acquire Humana For $37 Billion) and Anthem announced their pending acquisition of Cigna (see Anthem To Acquire Cigna In Largest Ever Health Insurance Deal).

The Aetna team characterized the Humana deal as one to create a company that holds a majority of the Medicare Advantage market and leverages Humana’s chronic care capabilities. On paper, the combined company will have more than 33 . . .