CVS Health names former Humana exec the new president of Aetna

CVS Health has announced that Brian Kane is now an executive vice president with the company and the new president of Aetna.

Kane, who will also become a member of the company’s executive leadership team and report to CEO Karen S. Lynch, will start his new role Sept. 1, 2023. CVS Health acquired Aetna, one of the nation’s largest health insurers, in 2018. Kane most recently served as a strategic consultant to several leading private equity firms focused on healthcare services. He also formerly served as CFO of Humana and oversaw its primary care businesses, as well as playing a critical role in strategy. Prior to his career at Humana, Kane spent 17 years at Goldman Sachs in the investment banking division. 

“CVS Health has a unique collection of assets––including the Aetna business––that provide the opportunity to improve access to quality healthcare for all Americans,” Kane said in a statement. “My focus will be working with talented colleagues across the organization to help build on existing efforts to make healthcare simple, personalized and affordable.”

The appointment comes after CVS Health ran into some trouble after it attempted to hire an executive from another rival, Cigna, which is also one of the largest health insurers in the United States. Cigna sued CVS Health after CVS appointed Amy Bricker as its new executive vice president and chief product officer of consumer health. Cigna was successful in stopping Bicker from joining CVS Health earlier this year after a judge granted the insurance giant an injunction. Cigna argued that Bicker could share corporate secrets with CVS Health that could damage the company, and that Bicker was bound by her agreement with Cigna not to work for competitors.

At CVS, Kane will replace Daniel Finke, who is stepping down for health reasons, the company said. Finke has been with Aetna for nearly 10 years and has helped in the growth and success of the company, CVS Health said. Finke will work with Kane to ease the transition in September.

Amy Baxter

Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."

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