The $34.1 billion blockbuster deal between Aetna Inc. and Humana Inc. is seen as complementary to both health insurers in terms of helping grow their involvement in private and public health insurance exchanges.
Tucker Sharp, global chief broking officer with Aon Health, points out the two carriers participate in a number of different private exchanges, including Aons own fully insured HIX. While Aetna serves actives and retirees, Humana is primarily focused on the latter. The merger would not alter any of Aetnas strategy around participation in exchanges theyre going to be a big player in both active and retiree exchanges, he says.
