U.S. District of Columbia Judge Amy Berman Jackson is expected to block the pending merger between Indianapolis-based Anthem and Bloomfield, Conn.-based Cigna, the New York Post reports.
Here's what you need to know.
1. Sources reported to the Post that Judge Berman Jackson plans to rule against the merger "on antitrust concerns. The DOJ sued Anthem last July, alleging the merger was anti-competitive. Judge Jackson could rule as early as Jan. 19, 2017.
2. In a public filing on Jan. 19, 2017, Anthem extended the expiration of its merger agreement from Jan. 31 to April 30, 2017. The extension could be a bid to "get head of the judge's smackdown," according to the report.
3. Anthem has the ability to repeal Judge Berman Jackson's decision.
4. Cigna is due a $1.85 billion breakup fee if the merger falls through. Anthem agreed to pay Cigna the fee in the initial merger agreement, according to a New York Times report.
5. Additionally, Anthem has been working on a post-merger integration plan without seeking Cigna participation.