Three-year deal keeps four Westchester County Hospitals in Aetna’s network

New York City, NY (November 2011)- Stellaris Health Network and Aetna (NYSE: AET) today announced a new multi-year agreement that will keep all four of the Stellaris Health Network’s Westchester County hospitals in Aetna’s network.  Aetna’s commercial and Medicare health plan members will be able to continue receiving covered inpatient and outpatient health care services, at preferred, in-network rates.

The new agreement involves the Lawrence Hospital Center, Northern Westchester Hospital, Phelps Memorial Hospital Center and White Plains Hospital Center.  The agreement also keeps the employed and voluntary physicians and health care providers at the Stellaris hospitals as participating network providers. 

Under the new agreement, Aetna will provide performance-based incentives to the Stellaris Network for both quality of care and efficiency, such as reductions in readmissions for the same injury or illness.  Models for rewarding demonstrated quality and outcomes will serve as a framework for Aetna’s partnerships with other community hospitals and systems.

“Retaining the Stellaris Hospitals and reaching a new contract that rewards the hospital for quality of care is a win not only for Aetna and Stellaris, but also for our customers and members in Westchester County,” said David Kobus, senior vice president, Aetna New York Network.  “We look forward to working in cooperation with Stellaris to help achieve positive health outcomes for our members who are Stellaris patients.”

“We are very pleased to have reached this new agreement which will provide Aetna’s members with continued access to Westchester’s preeminent network of community hospitals and physicians. We are especially proud to be leading the market in partnering on innovative performance-based and risk-sharing arrangements.  We look forward to our ongoing relationship with Aetna,” said Arthur A. Nizza, President and CEO of Stellaris.