The Aetna-Humanamerger has big ramifications for the health careindustry. We asked some industry experts about what the merger—andrumors of subsequent dealings in the health care industry—means forbrokers, consumers and the industry in general. Here's what theysaid:

“Too early to tell what it means for consumers.We should expect more of these announcements. It only makes sense,as carriers are forced to spread their costs over a wider base ofpolicyholders. In this case, bigger really is better. It's the onlyway to meet the regulatory mandates and have any hope of making aprofit. As a lifelong voluntary guy, I always see things throughthat prism. I think these mergers will only prolong the inevitableand rates will continue to climb, no matter what. That means gapswill get bigger and voluntary will remain the best answer. Goodnews, for sure, if you're in that business.”

—Brian Hicks, Benefits Selling columnist and author of “TheTinderbox Tapes”

“I believe choice is good for consumers.

As our industry contracts, fewer choices is a bad thing. But inthis case, considering the big mergers have been predominantly onthe fully insured side, I actually see a bright side. PPACA haslargely homogenized plans and rates. And MLRs reduce runawayprofits of the carriers. However, as we reduce the carriers, wemove more closely to a single payer system, which could have theimpact of full government-run health care occurring without actualgovernment involvement, and could make it an easier argument forthe Feds to do just that.

—David C. Contorno, CEO of Lake Norman Benefits and BenefitsSelling's 2015 Broker of the Year

“I can see where the Aetna and Humana deal makes sense and couldactually be a good thing for consumers. Their core strengthscomplement each other, and a bigger, stronger Aetna will competemore effectively with United, Anthem and other major geographicallyconcentrated Blue plans.

Regarding the rumored United and Aetna merger, I can'tsee that alliance boding well for consumers. And, the samecan be said for Anthem and Cigna. We'll wait and see, but it seemsclear regulators will emerge as key participants in apost-Obamacare marketplace, and if this type of activity is leftunfettered, less competition is a distinct possibility.”

—Mike Sullivan, Executive VP and CMO, DigitalInsurance/Digital Benefit Advisors

“The merger, and rumored additional mergers in the insuranceindustry, has caused me to truly focus on providingvalue-based services that are outside of the insurance carrierrelationship. As we have less carrier choice fromconsolidation, and more regulated pricing, the key to our industry,our relevance and our value to clients is to provide strategicplanning, communications, compliance, technology and wellnessconsulting services in conjunction with our employer and employeeadvocacy service model.”

—Kevin Davis, employee benefits consultant at UnivestInsurance

“The sudden speed with which these proposed and acceptedmergers are occurring is quite surprising. Because thingsare unfolding so quickly, it's not yet clear whether such mergerscould have positive effects such as increasing carrier negotiationpower with providers and hence reducing medical costs on whichpremiums are based, or whether reduced competition could increasethe cost of coverage.”

—Don Goldmann, vice president of the Word & BrownGeneral Agency and president of the National Association of HealthUnderwriters