via Wall Street Journal

Health insurer Humana Inc. is exploring a possible sale of the company, a move that could trigger a round of mergers in an industry grappling with challenges and opportunities the federal health-care overhaul has created.

Faced with pressure to cut costs and find ways to profit from the potential new customers the Affordable Care Act is generating, the big health insurers have long been expected by analysts to turn to mergers that will give them the heft to better compete as the industry evolves.

Humana, based in Louisville, Ky., gets the bulk of its revenue from its business administering the private version of the federal Medicare program. The company is seen as a prize because of its powerful Medicare franchise, which is growing rapidly as baby boomers age into eligibility and opt for these plans, known as Medicare Advantage.

Humana has received indications of takeover interest and is working with advisers at Goldman Sachs Group Inc. on the possible sale, according to people familiar with the matter. Aetna Inc. and CignaCorp. are among those that have held preliminary discussions with Humana, some of the people said..

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