Dive Brief:
- Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini circulated an internal memo Thursday telling employees that the Humana deal is generally being well-received even though it is also resulting in some "noise."
- According to The Courier-Journal, Bertolini reiterated the positive points of the plan, including that a merger will broaden the Aetna's reach and offerings of products and services.
- Bertolini specifically noted that Humana will make a good partner due to its Medicare Advantage membership of 3 million, ranking second only to United.
Dive Insight:
The memo appeared to have been sent to reassure employees against analysts' comments suggesting that the deal raises possible antitrust issues for federal regulators.
"With more than 10,000 people becoming eligible for Medicare every day, the opportunity in Medicare Advantage is especially compelling," The Courier-Journal quotes Bertolini.
Location will be among employee concerns, with some likely to be expected to shift between Hartford, CT as the HQ for commercial insurance operations and Louisville, KY as the HQ for government-related business, Aetna executives had said during a July 6 conference call.