<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0PwCCA_1H4MBsdx00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0PwCCA_1H4MBsdx00" width="800" height="450" >TULSA, (Okla.) — Hillcrest broke the news at the beginning of the month with the subtlety of a helicopter landing at the hospital. "Hillcrest Healthcare System is now out of network with Aetna...Aetna Leadership has refused to engage with our leadership, despite multiple outreaches over the past six months."Aetna fired back with their own statement, "Hillcrest HealthCare System chose to terminate the Aetna agreement. We have engaged with Hillcrest HealthCare System leaders in good faith and offered them fair rate terms but we remain far apart on terms...""Guys, please get together and figure it out," said Ted Rivera. He's one of the 15,000 Oklahomans caught in the middle, insured by Aetna, healthcare at Hillcrest."Our healthcare providers here in Tulsa are with Hillcrest, not only our GP, but several of our specialists," he said.Ted says at first he wasn't too concerned, since, as he was told by various folks in healthcare..."This will get settled, it happens every year, this will get settled," he said.But here we are two weeks later, still in limbo, and Ted is now out-of-network and facing a big decision."We have to make a Medicare Advantage election by the deadline of December 7th. It’s very hard to tell are they going to negotiate and settle this, or do I need to find new providers and cancel my December, January, February appointments, or do I need to find a new insurance company?" he said.We reached out to Aetna who said there was no new update, but Hillcrest told us, in part, "Aetna has informed us that it does not believe Hillcrest is needed in its network, and despite repeated outreach from Hillcrest and Ardent leadership, including calls to Aetna senior executives, meaningful engagement to continue discussions has not happened.""When you reach out to the parties it’s unclear if they’re actively negotiating or if they’re sitting there waiting for the other side to make the move, or if this is just going to be the way it is," he said.Out of network and worried about being out of time, a healthcare quandary with no quick fix in sight.Initial statement from Hillcrest ---TULSA, Okla. (Nov. 2, 2026) – Hillcrest Healthcare System is now out of network with Aetna following the expiration of our current agreement on November 1, 2026, despite months of good faith negotiations. Hillcrest continues to actively work toward a resolution that ensures patients can access high-quality care close to home.Aetna Leadership has refused to engage with our leadership, despite multiple outreaches over the past six months. Significant issues remain unresolved. Aetna’s below-market rates and payment practices put added pressure on healthcare delivery in Oklahoma. Hillcrest continues to invest in the clinical teams, technology and facilities needed to provide care across northeast Oklahoma. Fair and timely payment is essential to sustaining reliable access to high-quality care across the region.Hillcrest is advocating for changes that help improve access to timely, high-quality care close to home and remains committed to those objectives for our patients and northeastern Oklahoma communities.As of November 1:Hillcrest, its facilities and employed providers are out of network for all Aetna insurance plans.Emergency services continue to be covered at in-network benefit levels.Some patients may qualify for continuity of care protections and should contact Aetna at the number on their insurance card for details.Hillcrest encourages Medicare eligible patients to utilize the annual enrollment period, which began Oct. 15, to consider plans that include Hillcrest as in-network. Aetna Better Health (Medicaid) is not affected by the termination and will remain fully contracted.Hillcrest remains engaged in discussions and will continue working to reach an agreement. More information and updates are available at hillcrest.com/aetna.Initial statement by Aetna ---Hillcrest HealthCare System chose to terminate the Aetna agreement. We have engaged with Hillcrest HealthCare System leaders in good faith and offered them fair rate terms but we remain far apart on terms because Hillcrest HealthCare System is asking for price increases that would raise the costs paid by our members and health plan sponsors significantly. We remain willing to negotiate to reach an agreement that will keep Hillcrest HealthCare System in our networks, but we cannot agree to terms that would burden our members and plan sponsors with significant cost increasesAs of November 1, Hillcrest HealthCare System is no longer part of the network for most Aetna Commercial and Medicare members. We are available to help members who have questions, and they can reach us by calling the number on their membership ID card.Hillcrest statement of 11/13 ---As negotiations with Aetna have broken off, more than 15,000 Oklahomans are now faced with the inability to continue seeing the doctors and caregivers they know and trust. Aetna has informed us that it does not believe Hillcrest is needed in its network, and despite repeated outreach from Hillcrest and Ardent leadership, including calls to Aetna senior executives, meaningful engagement to continue discussions has not happened. Meanwhile, Hillcrest is carrying millions of dollars in unpaid claims while continuing to care for patients. We remain committed to returning to the negotiating table and finding a solution that protects patients' access to care, but that will require Aetna to reengage in good-faith discussions focused on the people who depend on these services every day. These negotiations are for Aetna Commercial and Medicare Advantage products only; Medicaid is not affected and will continue to be in-network.</div></body>

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TULSA, (Okla.) — Hillcrest broke the news at the beginning of the month with the subtlety of a helicopter landing at the hospital. "Hillcrest Healthcare System is now out of network with Aetna...Aetna Leadership has refused to engage with our leadership, despite multiple outreaches over the past six months."

No progress between Hillcrest & Aetna

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TULSA, (Okla.) — Hillcrest broke the news at the beginning of the month with the subtlety of a helicopter landing at the hospital. "Hillcrest Healthcare Sy

No progress between Hillcrest & Aetna

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