“We’ve completed the review with no objection,” said Donna Tommelleo, a spokeswoman from the Connecticut Insurance Department, according to the report.
Connecticut marks another state in which Aetna has gained approval. Thus far, Aetna has secured 15 of the 20 state approvals required for its acquisition of Humana.
However, not everyone in Connecticut is on board with the merger. The Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut, the Connecticut Citizen Action Group and the Connecticut State Medical Society have all openly criticized both the Aetna-Humana and Anthem-Cigna deals.
“Past experience suggests that these mergers will result in higher costs and reduced access to care for Connecticut patients,” said Matthew Katz, CEO of the Connecticut State Medical Society, according to the report.
Connecticut’s approval follows the Missouri Department of Insurance’s issuance of a preliminary order that would ban Aetna and Humana from selling certain products in the state should the merger go through. The order is not yet finalized, and Aetna and Humana have 30 days to submit a correction plan.
More articles on payer issues:
Aetna CEO offers no word on headquarters staying in Connecticut
Missouri bars Aetna-Humana merger for certain insurance products
Anthem CEO: Insurer ‘working extremely well’ with Cigna; merger decision expected in July
