Aetna Negotiations

Important information for Patients with Aetna Health Insurance

We continue to negotiate for a fair agreement with Aetna. Despite our best efforts, we are still far apart in negotiations for a new contract. If we cannot reach an agreement before January 1, 2025, Aetna may force Loyola Medicine hospitals, facilities and doctors out of network.

Aetna’s current reimbursement does not adequately cover the true cost of the care we provide. Yet, Aetna keeps raising premiums and out-of-pocket costs for its members to boost their profits, which topped $5.6 billion in 2023. We are asking Aetna to put patient health over their wealth. For us, Health Comes First.

We are asking Aetna to do its part to protect the care our patients, Aetna members, deserve. Loyola Medicine is committed to providing high-quality patient care, which depends on fair payment from insurers.

Let Aetna know that your health should come first—not their profits. We're working tirelessly to reach an agreement and we need Aetna to step up and put patients first.

We Believe Health Comes First

We know how important it is for you and your family to receive care from the trusted doctors, nurses and staff at Loyola Medicine. As a not-for-profit local care provider, we work tirelessly to care for our patients and communities. We also continue to reduce costs and implement efficiencies to ensure we can continue providing high-quality care to our patients.

We are asking health insurers to put patients first just like we do. Without them doing their part, access to care is at risk. Loyola Medicine provides high-quality care in our community while doing our part to make health care affordable – in 2023 alone, we've invested over $180 million in our local communities.

Unfortunately, Aetna keeps raising premiums and out-of-pocket costs for its members to boost their profits, which topped 5.6 billion in 2023. We are asking Aetna to put patient health over their wealth. For us, Health Comes First.

Frequently Asked Questions

You deserve access to high-quality health care

At Loyola Medicine, we believe our community members deserve options for high-quality care, and we are proud to be one of Illinois’ most trusted health care providers. That’s why we’re working to protect our ability to serve patients for generations because health comes first.

If you do not find the answers to your negotiation-related questions on this site, please contact us directly via this website through our contact us page or call our patient line at 708-568-1006. This website will be updated as our negotiations continue, so please check back for the most up-to-date information.

Q:        I have an Aetna health plan. What does this mean for me?

A:        For now, nothing changes. You should continue to visit Loyola Medicine facilities and employed physicians as you normally would. If Aetna does not work with us to reach a fair agreement before January 1, 2025, Loyola Medicine will be forced out of network and patients may have to pay more when seeking care with our hospital, clinics and providers.

Q:       What is happening?

A:        Loyola Medicine is negotiating with Aetna for new agreements that appropriately cover the cost of the care we provide patients with Aetna commercial (including employer-sponsored and ACA marketplace), dually-enrolled and Medicare Advantage plans. Our current contract will expire Jan. 1, 2025. Negotiations are a routine part of business and we are doing our best to reach an agreement to minimize impact to patients. What’s not routine is the significant impact inflation has had on our cost to provide the high-quality care you expect and we need Aetna to do their part to ensure you have access to the care you need and deserve.

Q:        Why is this happening?

A:        As a trusted local care provider, we work tirelessly to care for our patients and communities. We also continue to reduce costs and implement efficiencies to ensure we can continue providing high-quality care to our patients. However, Aetna keeps raising premiums and out-of-pocket costs for its members like you to boost their profits, which topped $5.6 billion in 2023. We cannot maintain access to the care and services patients depend on and need without a fair agreement from Aetna.

Q:        When does the contract with Aetna end?

A:        Our current agreements, with the exception of Medicaid, will expire Jan. 1, 2025.

Q:        Which Aetna health plans are affected by the negotiations?

A:        The following health plans are impacted:

Q:        Which providers and facilities are impacted?

A:        All Loyola Medicine facilities and employed providers are impacted by these contract negotiations.

Q:        What can I do to protect my in-network access to Loyola Medicine?

A:        While our negotiations with Aetna continue, you can take these steps to protect your access to in-network care with Loyola Medicine:

Q:        What if I’m in the hospital when the contract ends?

A:        If you are already admitted to the hospital before Jan. 1, 2025, you will be covered at in-network rates through the end of your inpatient stay.

Q:        What if I have an elective procedure scheduled at a Loyola Medicine facility on or after Jan. 1, 2025?

A:        We understand that some patients may have appointments scheduled on or after Jan. 1, 2025. Call your provider’s office to request that the appointment or procedure be rescheduled before Jan. 1, 2025. If you are unable to reschedule your appointment or choose to keep your appointment, you may have to pay higher out-of-pocket costs for your care with Loyola Medicine if Aetna forces us out of its provider network.

Q:        What if I have an emergency on or after Jan. 1, 2025, and Loyola Medicine is out of network?

A:        Patients will always have in-network access to our emergency rooms, regardless of our status with Aetna. If you experience an emergency, you should always visit the nearest emergency room. Patients needing emergency care can receive in-network treatment until the patient is stable.

Q:        How can I stay up to date on the negotiations?

A:        For the most up-to-date information, we encourage you to contact us by visiting LoyolaMedicine.org/Aetna or calling our patient hotline at 708-568-1006.

What You Can Do

There are ways to protect your ability to affordably access Loyola Medicine in 2025, regardless of our status with Aetna. Consider the following: