Aetna Beefs Up Before Obamacare's Arrival

Health insurer Aetna , the third-largest insurance firm in the country, made a big splash last year when it announced the acquisition of fellow insurance firm Coventry for $5.7 billion. This week Aetna will close the acquisition and finalize the deal, pushing the company's membership base higher by millions of members.

This comes not a moment too soon for Aetna. A big membership base is a key strength headed into the post-Obamacare future for the insurance industry, as questions still remain about just how insurance reform will alter the landscape of this industry going forward. Motley Fool contributor Dan Carroll and health care analyst Max Macaluso tell you what you need to know about what Coventry's inclusion will mean for Aetna's future -- and how the biggest players in the insurance industry are prepared to face health care reform.

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The article Aetna Beefs Up Before Obamacare's Arrival originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Dan Carroll has no position in any stocks mentioned. Max Macaluso, Ph.D. has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends UnitedHealth Group and WellPoint. The Motley Fool owns shares of WellPoint. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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