Humana Said to Pursue Sale as Supreme Court Ruling Gives Insurers a Lift

A new round of consolidation in the health insurance industry appeared closer as companies seek to grow larger, driven in part by cost-cutting and opportunities that are part of the Affordable Care Act.

In the latest jockeying, Humana, the smallest of the big five insurers, is pursuing a deal to sell itself and could reach an agreement by next week, according to a person briefed on the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Among those in the running to buy it are two bigger competitors, Aetna and Cigna.

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The long-awaited ruling, in the case King v. Burwell, was a major victory for the Obama administration that will greatly benefit large parts of the American health care system. Insurers, especially, had been counting on those billions of dollars in tax subsidies to draw in new customers, particularly as Medicare and Medicaid turn to private health plans to offer coverage. Many insurers, including Humana, issued statements in support of the court’s decision.