An official from Aetna said the insurance provider hopes to reach a solution with the Lehigh Valley Health Network, which announced its intention to stop accepting Aetna insurance next year.

“Aetna is dedicated to providing our members with access to affordable care that is local, convenient and helps achieve better health. Lehigh Valley Health Network is a valued partner to us in this endeavor,” Aetna spokesman Alex Kepnes said in a statement. “For our clients and members, we will continue to negotiate in good faith with Lehigh Valley Health Network with an eye toward reaching a mutually satisfactory resolution for all.”

On Thursday, LVHN announced that those insured by Aetna will no longer be able to get “in-network” care at LVHN beginning March 13. They will have the option to continue care at LVHN facilities on an out-of-network basis or by paying out of pocket. Patient responsibility amounts, however, are often higher when care is accessed out of network.

While LVHN officials declined to comment on the matter, an advertisement in today’s Times News from LVHN and addressed to Aetna patients reads, “Aetna has routinely denied coverage and delayed payments for medically appropriate patient care, leading to the decision.”

Following the announcement, LVHN created a website to answer patients’ questions. It noted that the situation has been ongoing for five years.

“We have observed Aetna taking steps behind the scenes to delay or even deny coverage for the care you need,” Dr. Robert X. Murphy Jr., LVHN executive vice president and chief physician executive, said in a video message posted to the page. “The situation has gone on since 2017 and as a result, LVHN informed Aetna we will terminate our agreements with them effective March 13, 2023. It’s not just administrative delays. Aetna has continuously denied coverage for the services our doctors, nurses and caregivers provide for a significant amount of important patient care over the years. This makes it very hard for LVHN or any health care system to continue working with Aetna under those conditions.”

LVHN stated that the proposed termination is a “fluid situation and a lot can change in 120 days.” It promised to keep patients updated.

“For now, we are only certain the notice of termination we have sent Aetna will go into effect on March 13, 2023,” it notes.

Because patients’ coverage won’t be impacted until March, LVHN advises them to keep their scheduled treatments and appointments.

“Importantly, LVHN is committed to ensuring continuity of care for patients whose care cannot, and will not, be interrupted, like those battling cancer or those trusting LVHN to care for them through their pregnancy,” according to the network.

Those who have Aetna as a supplement to their Medicare will likely not be impacted but are encouraged to contact Aetna for clarification.

Furthermore, those whose children have CHIP health insurance under Aetna Better Health Kids will not be impacted and can continue to receive care in-network after the proposed termination date.

Aetna will also be obliged to cover emergency room visits to Lehigh Valley, even if it is no longer in-network.

Lehigh Valley noted that it did not “take this decision lightly and recognize this news will likely impact your relationship with and ability to receive care at LVHN. We are committed to doing everything in our power to avoid disrupting your care.”

St. Luke’s Health Network, which also serves many in the region, plans to continue its relationship with Aetna.

“St. Luke’s has long accepted Aetna and continues to accept Aetna,” said Samuel Kennedy, a St. Luke’s spokesman.

More information is available at https://www.lvhn.org/aetna-participation or by calling 888-402-5846. Lehigh Valley noted it will be in touch with patients with updated information.

An estimated 39 million people have coverage with Aetna, a CVS Health company.