Aetna Reaches Contract Agreement With Bensalem EMS
BLUE BELL, Pa. ,April 28, 2008 — Aetna (NYSE: ΑET) announced today it has reached agreement with Bensalem Emergency Medical Services (EMS) on a five-year contract to provide emergency 911 services to Aetna members in suburban Philadelphia.
"This is an important development for Aetna members," said Mike Ungvary, Aetna’s head of network operations in Pennsylvania. "Most EMS providers do not belong to managed care networks, but we were able to engage in a constructive dialogue with Bensalem and reach a long-term agreement. We’re hopeful we’ll be able to reach similar arrangements with other providers in the area."
Bensalem EMS is one of the largest ambulance services providers in Bucks County. The agency responds to nearly 6,000 emergencies each year. Bensalem EMS consists of a combination staff of both career and volunteer personnel. Although the ambulance service is supported by tax dollars, nearly 80 percent of its operating budget comes from billing for ambulance trips to the hospital.
"This contract is a win for everybody," Thomas Topley, Executive Director of Bensalem EMS said. "We were concerned Aetna would not be receptive to our needs going into the contract talks. We were very honest with the insurance company and they were very receptive to our needs.
"The rescue squad now can budget its funds better over the next five years, while Aetna can control its cost of service in Lower Bucks County." Topley said he hopes this agreement will be a model for other service providers to join Aetna’s provider network.
Aetna provides and administers health benefits to more than 850,000 members in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Those members have access to a contracted network of 69 hospitals, 3,798 primary care physicians and 13,297 specialists.
Aetna is one of the nation’s leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 37.3 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life and disability plans, and medical management capabilities and health care management services for Medicaid plans. Aetna’s customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and expatriates. www.aetna.com
