UnitedHealth gets military health contract worth up to $21.8B, Aetna wins $16.7B pact

The Pentagon has awarded military health care contracts worth tens of billions of dollars to managed care providers Aetna & UnitedHealth Group, deciding not to renew deals with current contractors Humana & Health Net after a more than year-long bidding process. Tricare is the Defense Dept.'s health care program for military members, families and survivors. Hartford, CT.-based Aetna received the support contract for the northern U.S., & will provide health care & adm services for 2.8M members of the military based in the 21 states in the area. Aetna's contract, which can be worth $16.68B, includes a 10-month transition period & one option period worth $2.84B, plus 5 one-year options & a transition-out period. Woodland Hills, CA-based Health Net said it