Important Announcement Regarding Aetna Health Plans

The information below provides important updates regarding Lexington Medical Center patients with Aetna commercial or Aetna Medical Advantage plans.

What Is Changing?

Lexington Medical Center has been negotiating commercial and Medicare Advantage agreements with Aetna for several months. In these conversations, Lexington Medical Center has asked to renew the existing Medicare Advantage agreement under the current terms.  Last week Aetna demanded a rate decrease and notified us they cannot continue our Medicare agreement as is. Therefore, beginning February 1, 2025, Aetna will no longer consider Lexington Medical Center or its affiliated physician practices as in-network for its Medicare Advantage or commercial plans.

What Does This Mean for Aetna Members?

Even though Lexington Medical Center’s network status may change, we hope to continue to care for you and your family. If you have Aetna Medicare or commercial health insurance, you can still come to Lexington Medical Center, our urgent care facilities, our surgery centers, and our physician practices for care, but you will want to confirm if your health plan has out-of-network benefits which generally result in higher out-of-pocket costs to you. As you choose where to receive your health services on or after February 1, 2025, please consider the following:

• If you are currently receiving ongoing treatments at Lexington Medical Center, you may qualify for continuity-of-care benefits that provide a transitional period for certain conditions. This means that your financial responsibility for care at Lexington Medical Center would not change for a period while you find another provider. If you have questions about the availability of continuity-of-care benefits, please contact Aetna or your employer.
• Visits to our Emergency department for emergency services will always be treated as in-network care for Aetna patients.
• If the change to our participation status with Aetna causes a financial hardship, Lexington Medical Center has financial assistance programs that may be able to help.

Can Aetna Members Choose Another Plan?

Yes. We are aware that open enrollment for Medicare ended December 7, 2024. However, there will be an additional open enrollment period between January 1, 2025, and March 31, 2025. During this time, you will have the opportunity to switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or return to original Medicare.

What Medicare Plans Are Accepted by Lexington Medical Center?

Lexington Medical Center and its affiliated physician practices participate with all Medicare supplemental plans and with the following Medicare Advantage plans:

• Blue Cross Blue Shield^® Medicare
• Humana^® Medicare
• United Healthcare^® Medicare
• Allwell^TM Medicare
• Wellcare^TM Medicare
• Molina^® Medicare