Aetna, one of the largest health care insurance providers in the U.S., and Munster-based Community Healthcare System have failed to reach an agreement over new contracts.
“Community Healthcare System is presently in negotiations with Aetna to resolve our differences, but have not come to agreement,” Kevin Mybeck, vice president of Managed Care for Community Healthcare System, said in a Dec. 2 news release.
If an agreement for the new contract is not met by the deadline on Jan. 15, patients insured by Aetna will no longer be in network to one of the area’s largest hospital systems, which includes Community Hospital in Munster, Community Stroke and Rehabilitation Center in Crown Point, St. Catherine Hospital in East Chicago and St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart.
A breakdown of the contract will affect Aetna commercial and Aetna Medicare Advantage plans, the release stated. Aetna-insured patients already receiving treatment at Community Healthcare System facilities may still be covered for a period of time following the contract’s expiration, according to Community Healthcare System.
Aetna did not immediately respond to a request for comment before publication.
