Aetna vs. Baycare could mean no care.
December 3, 2008 by admin
Filed under Palm Harbor News
Update 12/25/08
The St. Pete Times is reporting a deal has been struck between the two companies. A nice Christmas present to all the members; giving them back the care that they had.
From the Times
December 24, 2008
Aetna, Baycare hospitals settle contract dispute
About 300,000 Tampa Bay area residents with Aetna health insurance got an early Christmas present this week: The company settled its contract dispute with BayCare Health Systems.
The BayCare system, which includes such popular hospitals as Morton Plant, Mease, St. Anthony’s and St. Joseph’s, had a three-year contract to serve Aetna’s members that was due to expire Dec. 31. As is often the case, negotiations on a new deal pushed the deadline, with BayCare wanting more money to treat patients than Aetna was offering, and Aetna wanting to pay less than BayCare thought appropriate.
Update 12/19/08
The company I work for received this letter from Baycare describing the negotiations with Aetna and the lack of progress. To view the letter visit the link below
Please feel free to comment and share your opinions on the Baycare – Aetna battle. There are over 400,000 people that this effects and some of you must have something to say.
Original post
A battle of 2 local giants is going on right now that could mean no local care for over 400,000 Pinellas County insured. Many local companies and even the Pinellas County School System stand to lose the coverage that they signed up for and that Aetna contracted to provide.
Aetna, one of the major insurers in the area have canceled their contract with Baycare. A great New Years Day present. As of January 1st, 2009 these Baycare Hospitals are out and out of plan if you go to one.
- St. Anthony’s Hospital
- St. Joseph’s Hospital
- South Florida Baptist Hospital
- St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital
- Morton Plant
- North Bay Hospital Morton Plant Hospital
- Mease Countryside Hospital
- Mease Dunedin Hospital
Times are bad enough and if the 2 sides don’t man up and hammer out a deal, everyone loses. Aetna will lose many companies and members on renewal (maybe that is what they want), Baycare will lose revenue (perhaps causing layoffs), doctors will lose patients (again the losing revenue thing) and most of we will lose access to some of the best health care in the county and this will affect all of Pinellas county and its health care.
Aetna had this to say in the notice to members.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Please call the Member Services telephone number listed on your Aetna ID card if you questions.Baycare sent this out to members
Baycare’s letter to Aetna members
How do you feel about this and how would it affect you?
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Update – 12/5/08
In today’s email I received this to add insult to injury entitled “get ready for the new year”
Get Ready is right
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