Bigger may be better for health insurers but doubts remain

New York

DEALS among the largest health insurers in the United States in recent weeks have been almost head-spinning. But whatever the details, if the combinations are finalised, the result will be an industry dominated by three colossal insurers.

Consumer advocates, policy experts and former regulators say that what may be good for the insurers may not be good for consumers, especially in the wake of a similar frenzy of dealmaking among hospitals and doctors' groups.