Important Update on Your Aetna Insurance Coverage
We’re committed to innovating, expanding, and maintaining financial health. Now, it’s time for health insurers like Aetna to do their part. Join us in encouraging Aetna to agree to a fair contract for both us and the people of Connecticut.
At UConn Health, our priority is providing high-quality care to our patients and community.
Aetna still isn't acknowledging that our rates are much lower than those of others in the market, despite our ongoing negotiations. As a Hartford-based company with a national footprint, Aetna has both the scale and responsibility to be a fair partner, one that recognizes the value of the care UConn Health provides to Connecticut families. Their refusal to address this unfair gap is holding us back from making meaningful progress, putting patients at risk of losing in-network access to UConn Health, including UConn John Dempsey Hospital and UConn Medical Group, if no agreement is reached by November 30.
As the state’s only public academic medical center, we are proud to deliver advanced care, train future physicians, and serve patients regardless of complexity or circumstance. Like health systems across the country, we face rising costs in labor, supplies, and infrastructure. Fair and sustainable agreements with insurers are critical to ensuring we can continue to serve our patients and communities without interruption.
We remain committed to finding a resolution, but we also want to ensure you have the information you need to plan for your care.
What You Can Do
- Call Aetna. Using the number on the back of your insurance card, call Aetna directly and, with a sense of urgency, ask them to negotiate to protect your access to care—just as we are doing. Let Aetna know how vital it is to have in-network access to your trusted providers at UConn Health.
- Apply for Continuity of Care benefits. If you are in an active course of treatment for a serious or life-threatening illness, are in your second or third trimester of pregnancy, or are in your postoperative period, you may be eligible to continue receiving care at in-network rates beyond November 30. We urge you to contact Aetna to ask about your options to start the Continuity of Care process.
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
How does this impact me?
Right now, nothing changes. You can continue to see your UConn Health doctors, receive services at UConn John Dempsey Hospital, and receive care as you normally would. If an agreement is not reached by November 30, UConn Health will become out-of-network with Aetna.
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. Contact Aetna by calling the number on the back of your insurance card to learn more.
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.
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.
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.
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.