Key Stats
- Founded in 1986 in Nashville, Tennessee by Phil Bredesen and Joseph P.
- Acquired by Aetna in May 2013 for approximately 5.7 billion dollars in one of the largest healthcare mergers.
- Served 5 million members nationwide before acquisition with presence in all 50 states.
- Generated 14.1 billion dollars in annual revenue in 2012 before the completion of the acquisition.
- Operated three main divisions including Health Plan, Specialized Managed Care, and Workers Compensation services.
Coventry Health Care was a diversified managed healthcare company based in Bethesda, Maryland that operated health plans and insurance companies across the United States. The company provided comprehensive risk and fee-based managed care products including HMO, PPO, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D, Medicaid, and workers compensation services.
Through strategic acquisitions and organic growth, Coventry established a significant footprint in government-sponsored programs and became a major player in the managed healthcare industry. The company served approximately 5 million members before its acquisition by Aetna in 2013.
Coventry Health Care History
Coventry Health Care Co-founders
Coventry Health Care Revenue
Coventry Health Care demonstrated consistent revenue growth throughout its operational history. In 2012, the company reported total operating revenues of 14.1 billion dollars.
Coventry Health Care Market Cap
The market capitalization of Coventry Health Care grew substantially during its years as a publicly traded company. At acquisition, the deal was valued at 7.3 billion dollars.
Coventry Health Care Acquisitions
Coventry Health Care pursued an aggressive acquisition strategy throughout its history, completing more than 30 major transactions from 1987 to 2012. The strategy focused on expanding geographic presence, adding specialty services, and increasing membership in government-sponsored programs.
Early acquisitions included American Service Life Insurance Company in 1987 and HealthAmerica Pennsylvania in 1988. These transactions established the foundation for regional expansion. The 1998 merger with Principal Health Care marked a transformational moment, creating a 2.4 billion dollar company with 1.9 million members across 18 markets.
In the 2000s, Coventry accelerated its acquisition pace with notable transactions including First Health Group Corporation in 2005, which significantly enhanced network rental capabilities. The company also acquired Concentra Workers’ Compensation Managed Care Services in 2007, establishing dominance in the workers compensation market with an estimated 65 percent market share.
Major acquisitions during the final years included Mercy Health Plans in 2010, adding 180,000 members in Missouri and Arkansas, and Children’s Mercy’s Family Health Partners in 2012. These transactions strengthened Medicaid operations and positioned the company for government program expansion.
The acquisition strategy proved successful in building scale and diversification. By 2012, Coventry had grown to serve 5 million members nationwide with balanced revenue streams across commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid segments. This growth attracted attention from larger competitors, ultimately leading to the company’s acquisition by Aetna in 2013.
The Aetna transaction represented one of the largest managed care mergers in history. Under the agreement, Coventry stockholders received 27.30 dollars in cash and 0.3885 Aetna shares for each share owned. The combined entity created significant scale in Medicare Advantage and Medicaid markets, increasing Aetna’s government business revenue share to over 30 percent.
Coventry Health Care Competitors
Coventry Health Care competed in the highly competitive managed healthcare market against several large national carriers. Primary competitors included major health insurance companies operating in similar geographic markets and product segments.
| Competitor | Headquarters | Primary Focus |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealth Group | Minnetonka, Minnesota | Diversified health and well-being services |
| Aetna | Hartford, Connecticut | Health insurance and related services |
| Humana | Louisville, Kentucky | Medicare Advantage and health benefits |
| Elevance Health | Indianapolis, Indiana | Blue Cross Blue Shield licensee |
| Cigna | Bloomfield, Connecticut | Global health services company |
| Centene Corporation | St. Louis, Missouri | Medicaid and government programs |
| WellCare Health Plans | Tampa, Florida | Government-sponsored programs |
| Molina Healthcare | Long Beach, California | Medicaid managed care |
| Health Net | Woodland Hills, California | Health plans and insurance |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield Plans | Various locations | Regional health insurance |
FAQs
When was Coventry Health Care founded?
Coventry Health Care was founded in 1986 as Coventry Corporation by Phil Bredesen and Joseph P. in Nashville, Tennessee. The company later changed its name to Coventry Health Care following the 1998 merger with Principal Health Care.
Who acquired Coventry Health Care?
Aetna acquired Coventry Health Care in May 2013 for approximately 5.7 billion dollars. The acquisition added nearly 4 million medical members and 1.5 million Medicare Part D members to Aetna’s membership base.
What services did Coventry Health Care provide?
Coventry Health Care provided comprehensive managed care products including HMO, PPO, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D, Medicaid, workers compensation services, and network rental services to individuals, employers, and government agencies nationwide.
Where was Coventry Health Care headquarters located?
Coventry Health Care headquarters was located in Bethesda, Maryland after the 1998 merger with Principal Health Care. The company was originally founded in Nashville, Tennessee in 1986 before relocating operations to Maryland.
How many members did Coventry Health Care serve?
At the time of acquisition by Aetna, Coventry Health Care served approximately 5 million members nationwide. This included 3.7 million medical members, 1.5 million Medicare Part D members, and 900,000 Medicaid members across all states.
