Economy

The proposed acquisition is more about vertical integration and combining data streams, including employee benefit plan information.

As the specter of Amazon.com looms over the healthcare industry, it’s easy to see the tech giant’s threat as a major factor behind the megadeal between CVS and Aetna.

The deal is among the biggest healthcare mergers of the past decade, combining the largest U.S. drugstore chain with the third-biggest health insurer.

Industry experts say the resulting rise in costs is likely to shift to employers and other stable health insurance consumers.

Driven by new CEO Rob LaHayne, the company is focused on health advocacy to bring lower costs to both employers and employees.

Express Scripts Holding Co.’s chief executive said he’s open to a deal with a health insurer or partnering with Amazon.com.

CVS Health Corp. is nearing an agreement to acquire health insurer Aetna Inc. for more than $65 billion, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.

In addition to a charge for doctor’s services, patients are frequently asked to cover use of the hospital-owned clinic.

Getting back to basics — eat right, exercise and don’t smoke — will move the needle on insurance costs.

The expansion aims to make it easier for workers to spend HSA and FSA dollars, and name their prices on services like MRIs.