New York Times: Terry Stone On Impact Of Cigna And Express Scripts Merger

Oliver Wyman partner Terry Stone was quoted in a New York Times story titled “Merger of Cigna and Express Scripts Gets Approval From Justice Dept.”

The article explored the proposed merger between Cigna, one of the nation’s largest health insurers, and Express Scripts, a major pharmacy benefit manager and the implications for the healthcare industry. These combinations of health insurance companies and pharmacy benefit managers are occurring as established players in healthcare look for ways to fend off potential competitors.

Rising drug prices are forcing the issue for the insurers, said Terry Stone, a managing partner for Oliver Wyman, a consultant. Many were unprepared for the onslaught of new, very expensive medications, she said, and were “caught off guard” when the new hepatitis C drugs were introduced a few years ago at a cost of tens of thousands of dollars to treat a single individual.

She argued the combination of these large insurers, with expertise in managing costs for chronic diseases, and the pharmacy managers offer “a huge amount of synergy.”

To read the entire story, please click here.