UnitedHealth Acquires Sierra With Help From Humana

UnitedHealth Group Inc., the largest U.S. health insurer, won Justice Department clearance to acquire Sierra Health Services Inc., the dominant medical benefits provider in Nevada, for $2.6 billion.

The Justice Department allowed the deal to proceed after UnitedHealth agreed to divest policies of more than 25,000 elderly customers in Nevada to Humana Inc. of Louisville, Kentucky, the government said today in a statement. The members are enrolled in the U.S.-funded Medicare Advantage program.