Two Of The State’s Biggest Health Insurers Hope To Merge

Harvard Pilgrim Heath Care and Tufts Health Plan say they want to merge their two enterprises to become one health plan. Even with a merger, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts will still have the largest market share.

Experts say that with major changes in the health care marketplace, including changes in federal legislation as well as in how doctors and hospitals are paid, many health insurers face tougher competition.

What will a merger of two of the state’s major health plans mean for patients, hospitals and the health care marketplace?

Guest:

• Stuart Altman, professor of National Health Policy, Brandies University
• Tim Gens, executive vice president, Massachusetts Hospital Association

More:

CommonHealth: Reaction to health insurance shakeup