Cigna to Anthem: we’re calling it off too–and we want $13 bn in damages!

Breaking News  Not quite so tuneful or amicable is today’s other Funny Valentine, which is now in Divorce Court. Cigna officially wants out, out, out of its merger with Anthem in a big, big, big way. In addition to the contractual breakup fee of $1.85 bn, Cigna is suing for additional damages exceeding $13 bn.

The action versus Anthem in the Delaware Court of Chancery seeks to lawfully terminate the merger (already denied in the DC District Court, TTA 9 Feb) and to stop Anthem’s current move to extend the agreement to 30 April. The additional $13 bn in damages would recoup the unrealized premium that shareholders did not earn as a result of the merger failure.

Anthem stated last week following the District Court decision’s release that it would appeal. Healthcare Dive reported that filing took place yesterday in the District of Columbia Federal Court of Appeals.

The Cigna release is intriguing for its careful air-clearing and positioning. In their view, the merger “had the potential to expand choice, improve affordability and quality and further accelerate value-based care”. Then a wicked backhand to Anthem: “Anthem contracted for and assumed full responsibility to lead the federal and state regulatory approval process, as well as the litigation strategy, under the merger agreement. Cigna fulfilled all of its contractual obligations and fully cooperated with Anthem throughout the approval process.’

Financially, Cigna stresses its positive outlook of 12 to 18 percent growth and ‘significant capital available for deployment’, as well as touting that their “approach of focusing on health care services over sick care financing has never been more critical.” There is also an updated statement about their share repurchasing authority: “Cigna is also announcing that its Board of Directors has expanded the company’s share repurchase authority to an aggregate amount of $3.7 billion. Management has determined that it is prudent to cap the amount of the repurchase to $250 million per quarter until there is more clarity with respect to the litigation with Anthem.”

No press response yet from Anthem. Stay tuned. Also CNBC

Earlier today: Aetna’s Bertolini to Humana: Let’s call the whole thing off