Aetna to Acquire Mercy Care Stakes From Ascension, CommonSpirit
CommonSpirit's Dignity Health and Ascension have each agreed to transfer their combined ownership stakes in Arizona's Mercy Care health plan to CVS Health subsidiary Aetna. CommonSpirit held a 49.75% stake in the plan as of mid-2026, and Ascension co-owns the remainder with Dignity Health. Aetna has run Mercy Care's daily operations and administrative services for more than 20 years, and the companies describe the ownership transfer as a natural evolution of that existing partnership. Mercy Care serves Medicaid and dual-eligible members through Arizona's Medicaid program and Medicare Special Needs Plans; the deal is expected to close in fiscal year 2027 pending regulatory review.
The ownership change consolidates full control of a major Arizona Medicaid and dual-eligible managed care plan under a national insurer, which will require state regulatory approval and could reshape local governance and community accountability structures.
Managed Care
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