United Health Buys Sierra Health Plans--The Consolidation Begins Again--But What's the End Game?

After a period of quiet on the merger and acquisition front, it seems to be beginning again.Today, UnitedHealth announced an agreement to acquire Sierra Health Plans for $2.4 billion.With little in the way of growth in the commercial health insurance markets, and the recent surge in Medicare products about to settle down as the new Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage opportunities reach a