Not all Chicago insurer frightens a united Advocate-NorthShore

Not every Chicago-area insurers oppose a potential merger between Advocate Health Care and NorthShore University HealthSystem, in accordance to testimony Monday in the Federal Trade Commission's case against the proposed deal.

UnitedHealthcare supports the potential tie-up, stated Joanne Beck, vice president of network management for its parent company, UnitedHealth Group. United considers the merger will lower the cost of care by expanding Advocate's population health management program and the quality measures it has applied, Beck stated during testimony in U.S District Court in the state of Chicago. The FTC is seeking a preliminary injunction to block the deal pending the result of its administrative challenge.

United plays a distant 2^nd place in the Chicago place to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois. United has about 15 percent to 16 percent of the market and Blue Cross has about 65 percent to 70 percent, Beck claimed.