DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) — After months of negotiations, a new contract agreement has been reached between Duke Health and Aetna, the health system said Friday.
According to the health system, the new agreement will provide Aetna members continued access to all Duke Health locations and providers.
Duke Health described the agreement as “multi-year”, but did not specify how long it will be for.
The new agreement comes after a months-long contract negotiation between Duke Health and Aetna.
In July, Duke Health announced a new deal had not been reached, which would have caused patients covered by Aetna to lose access to the health system.
Duke Health and Aetna’s new contract was established before the current one expires on Oct. 16, allowing access to remain uninterrupted.
“Throughout this negotiation, we have remained committed to our nonprofit mission of serving the best interests of our patients and community,” said Dr. Thomas A. Owens, the executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Duke University Health System. “We came to the table together to reach an agreement that covers the cost of care. Our agreement with Aetna prioritizes efficiency, promotes high quality care and helps drive down health care costs.
“We came together to do what is best for patients and worked together to make this positive outcome possible,” he continued in his statement. “Our agreement with Aetna prioritizes efficiency, promotes high quality care and helps drive down health care costs.”
Amelia Lee, Aetna vice president of Network, Southeast Region, said in a statement, “Duke Health is a valued partner in delivering high-quality, convenient care to Aetna members in North Carolina. We look forward to continuing to work together to meet the needs of our shared members and patients.”
Aetna has 1.5 million members in North Carolina, including with the State Health Plan.
The new agreement received praise from the State Health Plan, which thanked Owens and Aetna for helping negotiate and implement it.
“We appreciate the steps Duke has taken to keep costs down for the plan,” State Treasurer Brad Briner said in a statement. “This deal with Duke is a major step forward to keeping our costs under control while also allowing our members to keep the doctors they have chosen for care.”
State Health Plan Executive Administrator Thomas Friedman said in a statement, “Our priority has always been the health of our Plan members. This deal with Duke is a major step forward to keeping our costs under control while also allowing our members to keep the doctors they have chosen for care.”
Matthew Sockol
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