A year in the making

DEC. 3, 2017

CVS Health announces its plans to buy health insurer Aetna for $69 billion in cash and stock.

FEB. 2, 2018

CVS Health’s fourth-quarter earnings nearly double, led by a $1.5 billion tax windfall. It plans to use the some of the tax break to pay down debt ahead of its proposed Aetna acquisition.

MARCH 13, 2018

CVS and Aetna shareholders approve the proposed merger.

JUNE 6, 2018

CVS chooses the combined company’s executive team, including Karen Lynch staying on as president of the Aetna business. Mark Bertolini will resign as Aetna CEO, but be added to the CVS board of directors. Jon Roberts will serve as executive vice president and COO for CVS.

AUG. 2, 2018

California Insurance urges Commissioner Dave Jones the Justice Department to rebuff the merger, fearing higher prices.

AUG. 8, 2018

The American Medical Association opposes the merger.

SEPT. 28, 2018

Aetna sell its Medicare says it will prescription drug business to WellCare to clear the way for the merger.

OCT. 10, 2018

The DOJ approves the deal.

NOV. 15, 2018

California regulators grant conditional approval, among other things, demanding minimal price increases.

NOV. 26, 2018

New York and remaining states OK the deal, also with conditions.

NOV. 28, 2018

CVS completes its acquisition of Aetna.