CVS Health to Acquire Aetna for $69B

CVS Health, a company at the forefront of changing the healthcare landscape, and Aetna one of the nation’s leading diversified healthcare benefits companies, today announced the execution of a definitive merger agreement under which CVS Health will acquire all outstanding shares of Aetna for a combination of cash and stock.  Under the terms of the merger agreement, which has been unanimously approved today by the boards of directors of each company, Aetna shareholders will receive $145.00 per share in cash and 0.8378 CVS Health shares for each Aetna share.  The transaction values Aetna at approximately $207 per share or approximately $69 billion¹. Including the assumption of Aetna’s debt, the total value of the transaction is $77 billion.
 
This transaction fills an unmet need in the current healthcare system and presents a unique opportunity to redefine access to high-quality care in lower cost, local settings—whether in the community, at home, or through digital tools.
 
CVS Health president and CEO Larry J. Merlo said, “This combination brings together the expertise of two great companies to remake the consumer healthcare experience. With the analytics of Aetna and CVS Health’s human touch, we will create a healthcare platform built around individuals. We look forward to working with the talented people at Aetna to position the combined company as America’s front door to quality healthcare, integrating more closely the work of doctors, pharmacists, other healthcare professionals and health benefits companyes to create a platform that is easier to use and less expensive for consumers.”
 
This is a natural evolution for both companies as they seek to put the consumer at the center of healthcare delivery. CVS Health has steadily become an integrated healthcare company, and Aetna has moved beyond being a traditional insurer to focus more on consumer well-being.
 
“This is the next step in our journey, positioning the combined company to dramatically further empower consumers. Together with CVS Health, we will better understand our members’ health goals, guide them through the healthcare system and help them achieve their best health,” said Mark T. Bertolini, Aetna chairman and CEO. “Aetna has a proud tradition of continually innovating to address unmet consumer needs and providing leading products and services to the marketplace.”
 
Bertolini continued, “Aetna has a talented and dedicated group of employees working to build a healthier world every day. Our combined company will be more competitive in the marketplace and accelerate progress toward achieving this mission.”
 
Today, increasing numbers of consumers are taking on more and more responsibility for paying for their healthcare as the burden of costs is being shifted to them. Together, CVS Health and Aetna will be a trusted community partner who will help consumers better manage the cost of the healthcare they need. The combined company will also be well positioned to more effectively meet the health needs of many more people, especially the 50 percent of Americans with chronic conditions that account for more than 80 percent of all healthcare costs. Finally, capabilities developed following this transaction will directly benefit clients of both companies and enable them to better manage their healthcare costs.
 
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¹Based on 5-day Volume Weighted Average Price ending December 1, 2017 of $74.21 per share.