Effective December 1, 2025, UConn Health, including John Dempsey Hospital and the UConn Medical Group, is no longer an in-network provider with Aetna, except for State of Connecticut Retirees and Aetna Medicare PPO ESA members.
Despite months of good-faith negotiations, Aetna did not present a proposal that adequately supports the cost of delivering high-quality care. As a result, although we still hope to reach a resolution, the hospitals and doctors you trust at UConn Health are no longer part of Aetna’s network.
Delivering patient care to the people of Connecticut is our mission. As such, we are deeply disappointed that an agreement has not been reached. Aetna's reimbursement rates for UConn Health are unsustainably lower than those offered to other health systems in the state – an unfair and untenable situation for Connecticut’s only public academic medical center that provides gold-standard care and service.
If you choose to continue receiving care from UConn Health providers or facilities, your out-of-pocket costs may increase, and your health insurance coverage may be limited to emergency services. Please review your insurance benefits and contact Aetna to understand how this change may affect you.
We remain committed to advocating for our patients and community, and we hope to reach a fair agreement soon. In the meantime, here’s what you can do:
- Call Aetna. Use the number on the back of your insurance card to let Aetna know how important in-network access to UConn Health is for you.
- Apply for Continuity of Care benefits. If you are in active treatment or have a scheduled procedure, you may qualify to continue care at in-network rates for up to 90 days. Contact your provider’s office to learn more.
For the latest updates, check back for additional information, or contact our patient support hotline at 860-679-0199.
Important: Emergency care is always covered at in-network rates. If you or a loved one experiences a medical emergency, please go to the nearest emergency room, including UConn John Dempsey Hospital.
FAQS for Patients
Why is UConn Health negotiating with Aetna?
We have been working with Aetna for several months to secure a fair contract that adequately covers the true cost of delivering high-quality care. Aetna reimburses UConn Health at a rate that is amongst the lowest when compared to other health systems across the state, despite our excellent quality, safety, and outcomes. As Connecticut’s only public academic medical center, we are committed to continuing our service to this community, and we urge Aetna to prioritize its members’ access to the providers they know and trust.
What happens after November 30, 2025?
If an agreement is not reached, UConn Health will be out-of-network with Aetna, meaning your out-of-pocket costs could increase. However, some patients may qualify for Continuity of Care benefits, allowing them to continue treatment at in-network rates for a limited time. Contact Aetna to see if you qualify.
What are Continuity of Care benefits?
Continuity of Care benefits allow patients to continue receiving care at in-network rates for a period of time, even if their provider is out-of-network with their health insurance company. Typically, patients who are either undergoing treatment for cancer or another critical illness, are in their second or third trimester of pregnancy, or who are in their postoperative period, may be eligible for Continuity of Care benefits. Please contact your provider’s office if you have any questions regarding Continuity of Care.
Should I start canceling my appointments now?
We are continuing to negotiate for a new agreement with Aetna. You will continue to have in-network access through November 30 and should keep any appointments you have scheduled through that date. There may be a need to cancel appointments for dates on or after December 1 if we have not reached an agreement with Aetna in the coming weeks.
Why was my appointment canceled?
We are in ongoing negotiations for fair rates with Aetna. However, if we are unable to reach an agreement, starting December 1, UConn Health—including UConn John Dempsey Hospital and UConn Medical Group—will be considered out-of-network with Aetna. Because of this change, appointments scheduled on or after that date for patients with affected Aetna plans may not be covered at in-network benefit levels. This could increase your out-of-pocket costs or, in some cases, make you fully responsible for the cost of care.
To help avoid unexpected expenses, we are rescheduling or canceling impacted appointments. If you have out-of-network benefits and wish to continue care at UConn Health, we recommend contacting Aetna to confirm your coverage. Once verified, you can call us to reschedule—just let our scheduling team know your out-of-network status.
Important: If you are a State of Connecticut retiree with Aetna Medicare, or if you have an Aetna Medicare PPO ESA plan, you are not affected by this change and may continue to receive care at in-network benefit levels.
What if I have out-of-network benefits?
You will maintain in-network coverage through November 30. If an agreement is not reached by that date and you wish to seek care after November 30, please contact Aetna to inquire about your out-of-network benefits. After November 30, seeking care at UConn Health may result in higher out-of-pocket costs to you. To continue using services at UConn Health with your out-of-network benefits, please call your doctor’s office as soon as possible to let them know you would like to continue care using these benefits.
Can I still go to UConn John Dempsey Hospital in an emergency?
Yes! Emergency care is always covered at in-network rates and is not affected by the negotiation. If you or a loved one experiences a medical emergency, please go to the nearest emergency room, which includes UConn John Dempsey Hospital.
How can I help?
You can help by calling Aetna and letting them know how important it is to keep UConn Health in-network. Their phone number can be found on the back of your insurance card.
For more details and updates, call us at 860-679-0199.
We appreciate your trust in us and remain committed to providing you with the highest quality care.
Can I continue to receive services and pay for them directly without using my Aetna insurance?
Yes, if you would like to continue to receive services and pay for them out-of-pocket without utilizing your insurance, please call your doctor’s office as soon as possible to let them know you would like to continue care without the use of your insurance.
State of Connecticut Aetna Medicare Retiree and Aetna Medicare PPO ESA Plans
We are aware that Aetna has begun contacting members regarding our ongoing contract negotiations. If you are a State of Connecticut Aetna Medicare retiree or an Aetna Medicare PPO ESA patient, please be assured that these negotiations will not affect your care at UConn Health. These plans allow you to see any provider who accepts Medicare. UConn Health, including UConn John Dempsey Hospital and UConn Medical Group, continues to accept Medicare and remains available for all your healthcare needs.
FAQS for Providers
Does Aetna’s possible contract termination with UConn Health impact both its inpatient and outpatient providers?
Yes, this would impact all providers across UConn Health inpatient and outpatient facilities, as negotiations with Aetna relate to our managed care contracts for both UConn John Dempsey Hospital and UConn Medical Group. As a result, our hospital and all our UConn Health providers would be deemed out-of-network for Aetna health plan patients starting November 30, 2025.
Could I still admit my Aetna patients in need to UConn John Dempsey Hospital?
Without an agreement by November 30, 2025, any admissions on or after December 1 would be out of network, and Aetna patients should not be admitted. In rare exceptions, patients may give us written consent to use their out-of-network benefits. Out-of-network benefits must be confirmed in advance prior to admission.
The remaining exception to this exclusion is if your patient has been approved for Continuity of Care; in that case, the patient would remain in-network at UConn Health on or after December 1 for a limited period of time.
Providers who have admitting rights at other hospitals will still be considered out-of-network at those facilities on or after December 1 and would need to obtain advanced patient consent for use of their out-of-network benefits to perform services at those facilities. If the patient has no out-of-network benefits, those admissions should be declined, as there will be no source of payment for services rendered.
What could contract termination mean for my current patients with Aetna insurance?
Out-of-network benefits depend on the health insurance plan, but typically, patients can expect to pay more for care, up to and including 100% of the costs out of their pockets. In the event we do not reach an agreement before November 30, patients should reach out to Aetna to learn more about their out-of-network benefits before seeking care with UConn Health.
What if my patients still need my care?
If we are unable to reach an agreement with Aetna, Patients who are not qualified for continuity of care and who do not choose to use their out-of-network benefits should be transitioned to a non-UConn Health provider. A limited number of patients may be eligible to remain at UConn Health for continuity of care at in-network rates, including those in active treatment of a serious or life-threatening condition, their second or third trimester of pregnancy, or their post-operative period. Should the need arise for your patient to initiate a continuity of care request with Aetna, they can visit the Aetna website and navigate to their Contact us page or call Aetna at the Member Services number listed on their Aetna ID card.