The healthcare landscape is always changing. And one of the major changes that residents in the Carson City, Nevada area need to be aware of is with the Carson Tahoe Health contract negotiations with Aetna and United Healthcare. If they don’t reach an agreement, it could mean that Carson Tahoe Health services will no longer be covered by Aetna or United Healthcare Medicare Advantage plans. Here’s what you need to know.
Who are the parties involved?
Carson Tahoe Health is a full-service healthcare provider in Northern Nevada. They are a not-for-profit, locally owned healthcare system and an affiliate of Utah Health that provides high-quality medical services for everyone from newborns to seniors in a tranquil, healing environment.
At the moment, Carson Tahoe Health is in-network for members of Aetna and United Healthcare Medicare Advantage plans. Aetna is a large health insurance provider, owned by CVS Health Company, that offers comprehensive Medicare Advantage plans to members all over the United States. United Healthcare is a nationwide company offering Medicare Advantage plans across the United States.
What happens if Carson Tahoe Health, Aetna and United Healthcare can’t reach an agreement?
Every contract expires at some point. And when it does, the parties involved need to renegotiate terms. Carson Tahoe Health, Aetna, and United Healthcare are currently at this point. If they don’t reach an agreement, Carson Tahoe Health would terminate their contract effective April 1, 2025 with Aetna. United Healthcare would terminate May 30th, 2025.
If you have an Aetna or United Healthcare Medicare Advantage plan, Carson Tahoe Health would no longer be in network for you, meaning you wouldn’t get the in-network pricing for their services.
What to do if you’re affected by Carson Tahoe Health contract negotiations
If you are a member of Aetna or United Healthcare Medicare Advantage and use Carson Tahoe Health as your primary healthcare provider, the first thing you should do is not panic.
Contract negotiations are completely normal and happen all the time. The parties are still talking, and an agreement could still be reached, keeping Carson Tahoe Health in-network for your Aetna or United Healthcare Medicare Advantage plan.
The best thing to do is contact Health Benefits Associates to make sure your doctors and drugs will be covered in 2025. If you decide to stay with Aetna, we can provide the details of your 2025 Medicare plan along with the doctors and drugs covered. If you decide to switch, we can provide additional resources and other plan options.
In the event Carson Tahoe Health and Aetna can’t reach an agreement, or if you have any questions about the current happenings, feel free to reach out to a Health Benefits Associates agent by calling 775-828-1216 or emailing info@healthbenefits.net. We’d be happy to help you find a plan that works for your unique needs.