From plans to exit the individual ACA exchange market to naming a new chief medical officer, here are eight updates on Aetna that Becker’s has reported since March 11:
1. The Department of Justice filed a sweeping lawsuit against Humana, Aetna, and Anthem, along with Medicare Advantage brokers eHealth, GoHealth, and SelectQuote, alleging a multi-year scheme involving unlawful kickbacks and discriminatory practices against disabled MA enrollees.
2. Aetna reported an adjusted operating income of $2 billion in the first quarter of 2025, a 172.3% increase year over year.
3. Aetna will exit the individual ACA exchange market in 2026, citing continued underperformance.
4. CVS Health will lay off 55 employees who report to Aetna’s headquarters in Hartford, Conn., due to the closure of the payer’s CareFree insurance plan.
5. CVS Health named Benjamin Kornitzer, MD, as Aetna’s chief medical officer.
6. Aetna clinched a contract to manage healthcare benefits for more than 150,000 Pennsylvania state employees and their dependents.
7. Aetna was named the third-best health insurance company in 2025, according to Insure.com’s annual ranking.
8. Illinois awarded dual special needs contracts to Humana, Molina Healthcare, Centene’s Meridian and Aetna.
