CVS-AETNA MERGER GETS NY APPROVAL, TO BE FINALIZED THIS WEEK
Health Leaders by BY JOHN COMMINS | NOVEMBER 26, 2018 The approval from New York comes with a boatload of conditions, including enhanced consumer and health insurance rate protections, privacy controls, cybersecurity compliance, and a $40 million commitment to support health insurance enrollment. KEY TAKEAWAYS CVS files notice with SEC stating that the merger will be finalized "on or about Nov. 28." Approval comes two weeks after California gave stipulation-laden approval. Feds approved the deal last month. The $69 billion deal has the potential to fundamentally change healthcare delivery. The megamerger of CVS Health Corp. and Aetna Inc. got the go-ahead Monday from New York state officials, clearing its last hurdle in a $69 billion deal that is expected to be finalized on Wednesday.The approval of New York's Department of Financial Services comes with a boatload of conditions, including enhanced consumer and health insurance rate protections, privacy controls, cybersecurity compliance, and a $40 million commitment to support health insurance education and enrollment and other consumer health protections, DFS said in a media release. "DFS listened to the concerns of the public and has obtained significant commitments from CVS and Aetna to address those concerns, ensuring that the companies hold to their promises of reduced costs and improved health care for New Yorkers, not pass on the costs of this acquisition to New Yorkers, enhance data privacy, and not act in an anti-competitive manner going forward," Financial Services Superintendent Maria T. Vullo said. "DFS will use its full regulatory authority to ensure that the companies adhere to these robust commitments and that both CVS and Aetna are held accountable for promises made to New Yorkers," she said. The approval comes two weeks after the deal cleared another [...]