NORTH JERSEY, NJ — Hackensack Meridian Health’s hospitals and offices may be dropped from Aetna’s health insurance network if the two companies can’t agree on a contract to continue by July 1, the health care company told customers Thursday night.
This means that patients who use Hackensack’s facilities and doctors at low in-network Aetma insurance rates may have to change to higher out-of-network rates.
The large healthcare non-profit, which runs Hackensack Medical Center and many other facilities, urged consumers to contact the insurance company.
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They sent a letter late Thursday saying, “Like most providers across the country, we’re facing significant financial challenges that include the rising inflation, and rising staffing and supply costs to provide patient care…
“If we are unable to reach a resolution by July 1, 2024, Hackensack Meridian Health will be considered an out-of-network provider for patients with Aetna health insurance. That means that patients who depend on us may have to pay more out-of-pocket or choose to find a new provider for their care. Aetna has many different Plans which could have varying terms relating to continuity of care beginning July 1st so you should contact Aetna relating to your specific circumstances.”
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A spokesperson for the health care company, Ben Goldstein, released a statement to Patch Thursday night. “HMH is resolute in our commitment to work with Aetna to reach an agreement that prioritizes patient care,” he said. “However, we cannot ignore the urgency of the situation.”
The full statement is below, followed by the letter the health care company sent to consumers:
Statement from Hackensack Meridian Health
Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH), New Jersey’s leading healthcare provider and home of the #1 ranked adult’s and children’s hospitals in the state according to US News & World Report, is requesting fair rates from Aetna to keep patients out of the middle and ensure access to high-quality, compassionate healthcare for New Jerseyans.
HMH has contracts with all other major payers in New Jersey, demonstrating our commitment to providing high-quality, compassionate care to all patients and the collaborative relationship we have with these payers. We believe that the rates proposed to Aetna are necessary to offset the rising cost of care, including addressing physician, nursing, and other caregiver shortages. Innovation, advances in integrated care, and delivering care closer to home for our patients require investment in people and technology.
Not only does HMH invest in people and technology, but The Lown Institute, an independent healthcare think tank, recently recognized us as the top nonprofit health system in the nation for giving back $358 million to the communities we serve.
HMH is resolute in our commitment to work with Aetna to reach an agreement that prioritizes patient care. However, we cannot ignore the urgency of the situation. We urge Aetna to reconsider its position and negotiate in good faith to ensure continued access to high-quality care for our patients.
Ben Goldstein
Director of Public Relations
Letter From Hackensack To Customers:
Hackensack Meridian Health is the leading not-for-profit healthcare organization in New Jersey, offering the most comprehensive, life-enhancing care and innovative research. We’re nationally known for clinical excellence, ranking #1 in New Jersey by U.S. News & World Report. We’re here for you and your family when and where you need us, which is one of the many reasons patients trust
our 7,000+ doctors, 18 hospitals, and dedicated care teams with their health every day.
As healthcare providers across the nation face unprecedented financial challenges, we must receive fair payments from our insurance partners to protect our ability to continue to invest in exceptional healthcare for people and families across New Jersey, and preserve access to the doctors and care you rely on. To that end, Hackensack Meridian Health is negotiating our contract with Aetna.
WHY ARE AETNA AND HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH NEGOTIATING THEIR CONTRACT?
Like most providers across the country, we’re facing significant financial challenges that include the rising inflation, and rising staffing and supply costs to provide patient care. Hospital costs per patient across the U.S. have risen 21% between 2019 and 2022 alone, and costs to provide patient care continue to climb. Not-for-profit health care organizations like Hackensack Meridian Health are feeling the economic impacts most acutely.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH PATIENTS COVERED BY AETNA PLANS?
It’s important to note that for now, nothing has changed. You should continue to visit your Hackensack Meridian Health doctors and all locations and services as you normally would.
If we are unable to reach a resolution by July 1, 2024, Hackensack Meridian Health will be considered an out-of-network provider for patients with Aetna health insurance. That means that patients who depend on us may have to pay more out-of-pocket or choose to find a new provider for their care. Aetna has many different Plans which could have varying terms relating to continuity of care beginning July 1st so you should contact Aetna relating to your specific circumstances.
Aetna indicated that no later than May 15th it would begin notifying patients like you about the July 1, 2024 termination date.
IF KEEPING IN-NETWORK ACCESS TO HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH IS IMPORTANT, YOU MAY WISH TO MAKE YOUR POINT OF VIEW KNOWN BY:
Talking to your former employer or broker. If you have benefits through an Aetna plan offered by your employer (or you secure such insurance directly through a broker), consider letting them know it’s important to you to have in-network access to your Hackensack Meridian Health doctors and the locations that are convenient for you.
Calling Aetna. Let Aetna know how important it is to you to keep Hackensack Meridian Health in-network without paying more to continue seeing your current providers by calling the phone number on the back of your insurance card.
STAY INFORMED
Click Here: FC Bayern Munich Jersey SaleHackensack Meridian Health will continue to keep you informed on the status of the negotiation by letter and email. For questions about your individual plan benefits, please call Aetna using the phone number on the back of your insurance card. Hackensack Meridian Health is also available to help answer questions at 848-245-8241 .
Please know we will continue to advocate for our Aetna patients to preserve their in-network access.
Thank you for trusting us with your health and wellness.
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