CVS-Aetna Complete Merger, Start Work on Integrating Data

It took nearly a year to complete the transaction, but CVS Health has closed on its acquisition of Aetna, creating what many analysts believe will be a transformational force in health care. Valued at about $70 billion, the deal will enable the companies to start tackling their three key priorities: making health care local and accessible, simplifying how consumers access care and lowering costs. In a statement about the merger closing, CVS President and CEO Larry Merlo said that by fully integrating Aetna’s medical information and analytics with CVS Health’s pharmacy data, the company can develop new ways to engage consumers in their health and wellness through personal contacts and deeper collaboration with their primary care physicians.