Aetna hired integration expert to smooth Humana merger transition

Aetna is working to align its corporate culture with that of Humana, in hope of the much-ballyhooed merger.

Discussing at Barclays Global Healthcare Conference in Miami, Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini stated that ironing out cultural differences now will make sure that things run smoothly after the merger is completed.

Federal antitrust regulators still require approving the $37 million deal between Connecticut-based Aetna and insurance heavyweight Humana.

Both industries share certain common goals, like self-based governance and greater staff engagement and trust. The devil is in the details, though, when it comes to real integration, Bertolini claimed.

Because cultural differences have hampered integration with other industries Aetna has gained, the idea with Humana was to deal any sticking points early on. To help ease the transition, Aetna has hired an integration expert who reports directly to Bertolini.

The insurance exec also made a plug for Medicare Advantage, claiming the plans could prove a lifeline for Medicare, Modern Healthcare reported. Aetna presently has more than 1.36 million Advantage enrollees and will participate in markets comprising more than 90 percent of the eligible Medicare population when it joins with Humana.