After months of negotiations, the North Carolina State Health Plan (Plan) is pleased that Duke Health prioritized continued service to its members. The deal reached between Duke Health and Aetna, which serves as the Plan’s third-party administrator, will deliver high-quality care with a focus on better outcomes and efficiency. We particularly want to thank Dr. Tom Owens of Duke Health for his role in seeking an innovative solution to these negotiations, and our partners at Aetna for their steadfast commitment to affordability.
“We appreciate the steps Duke has taken to keep costs down for the Plan,” said Treasurer Brad Briner. “We have worked hard to dig ourselves out of a massive deficit and needed the help from all providers in the state to get that done. This deal represents Duke’s commitment to serve North Carolina and our members.”
Duke and Aetna have been negotiating a new contract agreement since this summer with little to no movement. The Plan took unprecedented steps last week to prepare a contingency plan in case talks failed. With this new agreement, all Plan members will be able to keep their current care with Duke and will not need to find new in-network providers.
“Our priority has always been the health of our Plan members,” said Thomas Friedman, State Health Plan Executive Administrator. “This deal with Duke is a major step forward to keeping our costs under control while also allowing our members to keep the doctors they have chosen for care.”
The Plan will continue to work with Aetna and all providers across the state to find ways to keep members from facing continued increases in health care costs.