CINCINNATI, Ohio, February 21, 2003 — The Health Alliance of Greater Cincinnati and Aetna (NYSE: ΑET) today announced that they have agreed to extend its contract. The six Health Alliance hospitals and the 80 physicians comprising Alliance Primary Care will continue to be participating providers in health plans provided by Aetna.
"We are pleased to continue to offer our members access for covered services to the prestigious Health Alliance of Greater Cincinnati," said Jay Timm, network head for Aetna’s north central region. "This is yet another example of how we work collaboratively with providers in the best interests of our members and their patients."
This agreement comes after months of negotiations in an attempt to reach an agreement on reimbursement rates, reimbursement methodology and contract language. A letter of agreement was signed on Feb. 17 that extends the agreement, subject to Aetna meeting key deliverables over the next six months.
"We received many calls from Aetna members who use the services of Health Alliance hospitals and Alliance Primary Care physicians. We listened to their requests that we resume negotiations and try work out the issues. We are pleased with the results," says Health Alliance CEO Ken Hanover. "Aetna has committed to resolving the issues in the contract that are most troublesome to us, so that we may continue to provide high quality, cost effective care to patients who are part of Aetna health plans."
As part of a separate contract which expired earlier in February, Health Alliance hospitals will not continue as participating providers of behavioral health services to Aetna members.
Aetna is one of the nation’s leading providers of health care, dental, pharmacy, group life, disability and long-term care products, serving approximately 13.7 million medical members, 11.8 million dental members and 11.7 million group insurance customers, as of December 31, 2002. The company has expansive nationwide networks of more than 552,000 health care services providers, including over 332,000 primary care and specialist physicians and 3,373 hospitals. For more information about Aetna, please visit the company’s website at www.aetna.com.
The Health Alliance is an integrated health care delivery system that includes The Christ Hospital, The University Hospital, The St. Luke Hospitals, The Jewish Hospital, The Fort Hamilton Hospital and the physicians of Alliance Primary Care. To view other Health Alliance news releases, go to www.health-alliance.com/pressroom.
