Here are five key notes:
1. According to the state department, the $33 billion merger would be anti-competitive for several types of insurance, including individual Medicare Advantage plans.
2. In 2015, Aetna held a 36.88 percent share in the comprehensive individual insurance market, while Humana held 1.93 percent, according to the state regulator. In the individual Medicare Advantage market, Aetna and Humana currently have more than 70 percent market share in 33 county markets.
3. The state department also said if the acquisition moves forward, “the companies would need to stop selling individual insurance, small group and certain Medicare Advantage plans in its state,” according to Reuters.
4. Missouri is the first state to pushback against the deal. Aetna has filed for regulatory approval in the 20 states, of which 15 have approved the deal, Connecticut being the most recent.
5. The U.S. Department of Justice is also reviewing the Aetna-Humana.
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