A PYMNTS Company

US: Aetna said to meet with DOJ on Friday about Humana Deal

By  |  July 7, 2016

Shares in health insurer Humana fell nearly 10 percent on Thursday following a report that antitrust regulators were due to discuss “significant concerns” over its proposed buyout by rival Aetna.

Antitrust trade publication MLex said officials from both insurers were due to meet with U.S. Department of Justice reviewers on Friday about their proposed merger.

Justice Department investigators are mainly concerned whether the deal will limit consumer choices for Medicare Advantage health plans for the elderly.

Reuters previously reported that Aetna has begun a process to divest about $1 billion of Medicare Advantage assets to address antitrust concerns.
Aetna announced plans to buy Humana, which specializes in Medicare Advantage, a year ago for about $34 billion.

The Justice Department is also reviewing Anthem Inc’s proposed acquisition of Cigna Corp, and is weighing whether it will sue to block the deals.

Full Content: CNBC

Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.