As of Aug. 1, non-emergency, scheduled elective services provided by Oklahoma-based Norman Regional Health System are no longer in network for Aetna members.
The update affects commercial, Medicare Advantage and administrative-services-only plans, with Medicaid excluded. Norman Regional said negotiations had been ongoing “for months.”
“Across the country, healthcare providers are experiencing rising costs related to staffing, supplies and technology,” a Norman Regional news release shared with Becker’s said. “It is important that payer contracts remain aligned with these realities so hospitals can continue to invest in services and care for their communities.”
Aetna and Norman Regional said they are willing to continue discussions to reach an agreement.
“We negotiated with Norman Regional Health System in good faith with the goal of reaching a fair agreement,” an Aetna spokesperson told Becker’s. “However, they continued to ask for rate increases that would exceed current market rates and drive up health plan costs for Aetna’s Oklahoma commercial and Medicare members and local Oklahoma employers.”
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