Business Week is reporting that the Federal Trade Commission may take action on the Express Scripts - Medco merger next month.
Express Scripts is expected to certify to the Federal Trade Commission [tomorrow] that it’s finished providing the necessary information for the antitrust review, said the people, who declined to be identified because the matter isn’t public. Under antitrust law, the agency is required to act on a merger request within 30 days of the certification.
The agency’s options then include clearing the deal, suing to block it or negotiating a settlement. It could also agree with the company to extend the 30-day period. The company and the agency aren’t engaged in discussions about a settlement or extension, the people said. The FTC isn’t expected to decide on the deal until the beginning of March, one of the people said.
America's Health Insurance Plans commented in a press release that health plans need more time and flexibility is needed to implement the summary of benefits and coverage rule that was finalized last week. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners developed the SBC form with individual health insurance in mind. It would be helpful for HHS to recognize, for example, basic differences between group and individual health insurance and fully insured and self funded arrangements in the forms.
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