Here are five key points:
1. The two-and-a-half week trial ended with Aetna’s lawyer saying the DOJ did not prove the deal would violate antitrust laws in any region, while the DOJ attorney argued it would.
2. The payers have said the deal would not significantly reduce competition in the Medicare Advantage market and the deal would also not increase prices or decrease coverage options for consumers.
3. DOJ’s attorney challenged their claim, saying seniors do not readily switch between Medicare and MA plans. While MA plans cover physician and hospital visits, they usually have a limited network of providers while traditional Medicare plans give their patients a more extensive list of providers.
4. Molina previously confirmed the company would buy 290,000 Medicare Advantage customers in areas where the Aetna-Humana deal would lower competition. However, the DOJ said Molina doesn’t have the ability to service these policies as Molina has attempted to enter the MA marketplace twice and failed, serving less than 400 MA customers. Aetna’s lawyer said Molina will provide “excellent” competition in those markets.
5. Next week, the attorneys will have a chance to make final arguments in front of the judge on Dec. 30, 2016.
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