CVS Health to Acquire Aetna

[craig_ritter]

It's official that the boards of CVS Health and Aetna officially announce their intention to merge.

CVS Health to Acquire Aetna; Combination to Provide Consumers with a Better Experience, Reduced Costs and Improved Access to Health Care Experts in Homes and Communities Across the Country | CVS Health

CVS Health to Acquire Aetna; Combination to Provide Consumers with a Better Experience, Reduced Costs and Improved Access to Health Care Experts in Homes and Communities Across the Country - The Health Section

The deal is valued at $69 billion in cash and stock and is subject, of course, to regulatory approvals.

 

[WCMason]

After the initial news story about this broke last month I got a few hand wringy client emails and calls wondering whether they should change plans because the CVS merger could make their plan worse.

Sure enough, after today’s news confirming the deal I already got an email from a client tonight worried that her supplement quality would get worse and the price skyrocket. It is an interesting thing about how some people are wired that an announcement like this would have them jump to “the sky is falling” conclusions based on nothing other than a change is coming.

I’ll no doubt get more calls this week. The final days of AEP are hard enough...

 

[somarco]

Interesting how some people get upset about a proposed merger and wonder about a a decline in quality or expect prices and premiums to rise.

Yet they have no problem with a HUGE lobbying firm (AARP) working in collusion with a Medicare insurance carrier (UHC).