Aetna ready for 'dual eligibles' despite commercial focus

Aetna Inc. (AET) believes it can ably serve health-challenged patients covered by both Medicare and Medicaid, even though the company doesn't have a major stake in those markets. The commercially-focused health insurer doesn't need acquisitions to win business for "dual eligible" patients, according to Chief Financial Officer Joseph Zubretsky. Some of Aetna's big competitors have recently made deals with an eye on dual patients, and Aetna has faced questions about whether it has the right make-up for the market. Managed-care companies could be big beneficiaries, but questions abound about which firms are best positioned to win state-by-state contracts.