Insurance Merger Raising Questions In Ill. About Consolidation Of Medicare Advantage Market
Humana and Aetna are the second- and third-largest Medicare Advantage companies in the state. Also in the news, Novartis reports flat sales in its eye-care business.
The Chicago Tribune:
Aetna-Humana Merger Plans Raise Questions For Illinois Medicare Beneficiaries
Aetna's agreement to acquire rival Humana would further concentrate the business of selling private Medicare plans to seniors in Illinois, according to data provided by the Kaiser Family Foundation. In the state, Humana and Aetna are already the second- and third-largest players, respectively, in the Medicare Advantage market. Medicare Advantage plans offer lower out-of-pocket costs than traditional Medicare does, but customers usually have fewer options in choosing doctors and hospitals. (Sachdev, 7/21)
The Wall Street Journal:
Novartis Blurs Vision Of Its Potential
Novartis has taken one in the eye. Flat sales in its eye-care business, Alcon, which accounts for about a fifth of revenues, hit second-quarter results. That sent the stock skidding, despite strong results in its pharmaceuticals and generics units. The result also dashed hopes for an increase in its full-year guidance and emphasizes that the Swiss company’s challenge is to live up to high expectations. (Thomas, 7/21)
