Dignity Health, Aetna Agree on Contract for In-Network Access

On April 25, Dignity Health and Aetna, a CVS Health company, announced an agreement on a multi-year contract that allows Aetna members to maintain in-network access to Dignity Health services, facilities and providers in California, Arizona, and Nevada.

The new agreement is effective April 1 and health care services received by Aetna members since April 1 will be covered at the members’ in-network benefit levels. The length of the agreement was not revealed.

“This is a win for our patients who deserve access to local high-quality care,” said Robert Quinn, MD, president of Dignity Health Medical Foundation. “Our goal in working with Aetna has always been about ensuring we can meet the needs of our patients today and in the future.”

Dignity Health posted this message for patients: “We know these negotiations were stressful for our patients, the communities we serve, and our own team.”

Aetna members are directed to call the number on their Aetna member card for more information.

“We are committed to serving Aetna members with access to quality, convenient, affordable care through our network of providers,” said Cathy Hughes, Aetna vice president and chief network officer for the Western and South Central region. “We are pleased to reach an agreement with Dignity Health that enables us to continue working together to meet the health care needs of our members.”

During negotiations, Aetna sent a statement to the Sacramento Bee: “We are focused on avoiding unsupportable increases in reimbursement rates that would raise costs for our members and plan sponsors in the Sacramento community…We have a responsibility to our members and health plan sponsors to negotiate fair reimbursement rates.”