About 30,000 Aetna beneficiaries are at a risk of losing coverage at Portland-based Oregon Health & Science University if the sides are unable to agree on a new contract by Dec. 31, the Lund Report reported Oct. 24.
OHSU has been negotiating with Aetna since January 2022, according to the report. The health system's chief payer strategy officer, Jeff Conklin, told the news outlet that a recent discussion showed promise but there is not yet a resolution.
Mr. Conklin said OHSU needs its payer partners to "close the gap between their rates, which traditionally go up (in the) low single digits, and the costs we are incurring that are going up in the double digits," according to the report. He said about 10 other insurers have renewed their contracts.
Aetna told the news outlet it is hopeful that the negotiations "will result in a fair agreement that keeps OHSU Health in our network and serves the needs of Portland-area members and employers."