Indianapolis-based Anthem and Bloomfield, Conn.-based Cigna will appeal a judge's decision to block their merger in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on March 24.
Here are 11 key events to know ahead of the payers' appellate argument.
Feb. 8 – Feb. 28
1. Judge blocks $54B Anthem-Cigna deal, Anthem plans to appeal order
Anthem said Feb. 9 it will appeal the District Court's order to block the payer's proposed merger with Cigna.
2. Cigna ends merger agreement, sues Anthem for $14.85B
Cigna motioned to terminate its merger agreement with Anthem Feb. 14 and filed a lawsuit against the insurer for roughly $14.85 billion.
3. Anthem sues Cigna to halt insurer from ending merger agreement
Anthem countersued Cigna Feb. 15 in an attempt to block the insurer from terminating their agreement.
4. Judge temporarily stalls Cigna from terminating merger with Anthem
A Delaware Chancery Court judge ruled in favor of Anthem Feb. 15, momentarily banning Cigna from motioning to end the two payers' merger agreement.
5. Cigna says it will abide by Anthem merger agreement terms until court reviews case
Cigna said Feb. 15 it will operate under the terms of its merger agreement with Anthem following a court order temporarily blocking Cigna from unilaterally terminating the transaction.
6. Court grants Anthem expedited appeal of merger block
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia expedited Anthem's appeal of a district court's order to block its proposed $54 billion merger with Cigna.
7. AMA urges DOJ to refrain from 'politically-driven settlement negotiations' over Anthem-Cigna deal
American Medical Association Executive Vice President and CEO James Madara, MD, penned a letter to Acting Assistant Attorney General Brent Snyder, illustrating the organization's concern over how the new Republican administration may lead the DOJ to settle with Anthem and Cigna.
March 2 - 20
8. Cigna defers to Anthem in merger appeal
Cigna will defer to Anthem in its appeal of the judge's decision to block the payers' proposed merger.
9. DOJ urges appeals court to uphold decision to block Anthem-Cigna deal
The Department of Justice and attorneys general from 11 states and the District of Columbia recommended the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia uphold the decision to block Anthem's merger with Cigna.
10. AHA urges appeals court to stand with decision to block Anthem-Cigna deal
The American Hospital Association pressed the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to affirm a district court's decision to halt Anthem's merger with Cigna ahead of the insurers' appeal.
11. Anthem says it's 'more successful' than Cigna at cutting medical costs
Although the Justice Department has said a merger between Anthem and Cigna would impede Cigna's innovative physician contracts, Anthem argues it has more value-based agreements.
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