Several Health Insurer Merger Talks Are In Progress.

[ARus]

LOL Somarco, I was sleep when you posted the above message early this morning! We could say the same thing about you, since you're one of the most insightful, seasoned, and knowledgeable agents in this country. Was it magic? No. You read and have experienced many facets of the business.

Once again Somarco, you've pointed out something that most of the media and many agents have overlooked, because it happens so gradually. Carrier compression isn't just via mergers and acquisitions. It's also occurring because companies have left the market. Carriers will do what's in their best financial interest, regardless of the DOJ. The DOJ approves the merger, or they bail.

Come to think of it, Obama, Sanders and many others would LOVE to see them all get out of IFP... and probably group too. There's probably a secret Medicare for All group working behind the scenes right now at HHS..getting ready for the next "big phukin deal".

Yep, I see it exactly this way. After fey years or decade we will sale supplemental products. Let think what else we can do till than?

 

[FLM2]

All BCBS's are part of the mothership. Anthem is a BCBS. They are not allowed to market or sell outside their areas. What happens in IL or TX? We have Cigna and BCBS. Its a major issue and the one the Cigna CEO used to walk away from the table a few months ago.

We may not like the answer Anthem must have a plan, why else would they spend $54B for another company when there could be major antitrust issues as well as the overall BCBS relationship.

Here is a wild ass complete guess probably having no basis in fact-does Anthem use the Cigna national platform to remove itself from the BCBS alliance?

 

[Yagents]

We may not like the answer Anthem must have a plan, why else would they spend $37B for another company when there could be major antitrust issues as well as the overall BCBS relationship.

Here is a wild ass complete guess probably having no basis in fact-does Anthem use the Cigna national platform to remove itself from the BCBS alliance?

Must read article about BCBS licensing

Why Blue Cross Hates Anthem's Cigna Deal

 

[kgmom219]

Must read article about BCBS licensing

Why Blue Cross Hates Anthem's Cigna Deal

Wow.

This is going to be a mess. And Anthem is going to get their hand slapped. It wouldn't surprise me if the Blues is keeping their mouth shut "on the advice of counsel"

 

[AllenChicago]

July 27, 2015

Something to think about before assuming that Aetna/Humana & Anthem/Cigna mergers are a done deal for 2016...or ever.

"Earlier this morning antitrust lawyer David Balto, who is also the former Policy Director of the FTC, joined Bloomberg TV to discuss the mergers. Balto made a great point in saying that these mergers are unlikely to gain regulatory approval due to the basis for which the Affordable Care Act was approved. According to Balto, the Affordable Care Act was approved to create competition in an insurance industry that lacked it. With only five large national insurance providers, if these mergers are complete, the U.S. is left with just three super insurers -- Anthem would then have over 50 million members and Aetna with 35 million. That's not good for consumers or the free market. Further, it wouldn't be good for politicians who are desperately trying to defend the purpose and benefits of Obamacare, thereby making these mergers as much a political concern as regulatory."

Source: Why Insurance Mergers Have A Tough Road Ahead With Regulators | Seeking Alpha

 

[FLM2]

Must read article about BCBS licensing

Why Blue Cross Hates Anthem's Cigna Deal

My WAG was just that since I hadn't taken the time to find a relevant artice (thanks, Bill)-Anthem already competes with Blue in 19 states under the Amerigroup name (mostly Medicare), they will most likely do the same thing in states like Florida by either keeping the Cigna name or putting them under the Amerigroup product line.