Page 24 - Express Scripts News Today

CVS Health announced plans to acquire health insurer Aetna for $69 billion in the largest-ever healthcare merger. The companies said they would save administrative and patient care costs, in part by steering Aetna customers to walk-in clinics in CVS stores for less expensive medical services. October 2017: Anthem announced that it would not renew its pharmacy benefit management relationship with Express Scripts and subsequently entered into a new contract with CVS Health.

This move comes six years after regulatory authorities thwarted previous attempts to consolidate the U.S. health insurance sector through mega-deals.

Cigna Group and Humana Inc. are in talks about a potential cash and stock combination to create another giant of the health insurance industry, people familiar with the matter said.

Over the past 20 years, the price of insulin in Arizona has increased faster than prices for other consumer goods and services in the state.

US health insurer Cigna is in talks to merge with peer Humana, a deal that could exceed $60 billion in value and would be certain to attract fierce antitrust scrutiny.

"This is one of the most ill-advised deals I've ever heard," Jim Cramer said, after The Wall Street Journal reported Cigna and Humana were discussing a merger.

Kroger reported operating profit of $912 million; EPS of 88 cents.

A reported tie-up of Cigna and Humana would face harsh scrutiny from the Biden administration.

While Cigna has been rebuffed for acquisitions in the past due to antitrust concerns, experts say a potential deal between the two private payers has some legs this time.

Attorney General Kris Mayes filed suit Monday against manufacturers and distributors of insulin accusing them of conspiring to raise prices and keep them high.