Quick Take
Sutter Health and Aetna have reached a multi-year agreement, ensuring that more than 11,000 Northern California and Central Coast patients will retain access to their Sutter providers. The deal averts a planned July 1 reassignment of Aetna members to non-Sutter doctors after months of contentious negotiations.
Sutter Health patients with Aetna insurance will remain with their Sutter doctors after the hospital system and insurance company reached an agreement following months of negotiations.
The companies jointly announced a multiyear contract Thursday for its Northern California and Central Coast members, including those with HMO, PPO and EPO plans.
The agreement comes after Aetna sent 11,302 commercial HMO members, including 273 in Santa Cruz County, notifications telling them they’d be reassigned to non-Sutter doctors starting July 1 if the two sides didn’t reach an agreement.
Bonny Doon resident Jacob Metcalf previously told Lookout that Aetna’s letters were causing his family stress. They’ve seen the same providers for about 20 years and the shift to Dignity Health Dominican Hospital – his only other option – would have disrupted their care.
The agreement means that Metcalf and the other members can stay with their Sutter providers.
Warner Thomas, President and CEO of Sutter Health, said in a statement that the agreement “reflects our shared commitment to the communities we serve” and they’re “making sure patients maintain seamless access to the physicians and clinicians they know and trust.”
Cathy Hughes, Aetna vice president of network, Western region, said in the statement that Sutter Health “is a valued partner” and they “look forward to working together to meet the health care needs of our shared members and patients.”
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