Farmington-based University of Connecticut Health’s contract with Aetna expired Dec. 1.
UConn Health, including John Dempsey Hospital and the UConn Medical Group, will no longer be covered. This status does not apply to retirees of state government employment and Aetna Medicare PPO ESA members, the health system said.
“We are deeply disappointed that an agreement has not been reached,” UConn Health’s website said. “Aetna’s reimbursement rates for UConn Health are unsustainably lower than those offered to other health systems in the state — an unfair and untenable situation for Connecticut’s only public academic medical center that provides gold-standard care and service.”
An Aetna spokesperson confirmed to Becker’s that some commercial members will still be able to access UConn Health hospitals through January.
For its part, the insurer said the health system “continues to demand significantly higher reimbursement rates.”
“Aetna has engaged in good-faith efforts to reach a fair agreement that keeps healthcare affordable for our employers and members, and we continue to await a reasonable proposal from UConn Health and the opportunity to engage in a collaborative dialogue,” Aetna said in a statement shared with Becker’s. “We remain committed to protecting Connecticut businesses and retirees on fixed incomes who cannot absorb excessive price increases.”
