Aetna announces collaboration with Providence in Los Angeles

Aetna announced this week its collaboration with Providence Health & Services.

The new product, Aetna Whole Health – Providence Health & Services, rolls out to self-insured customers immediately, effective July 1. Service to fully insured customers will be available on Nov. 1, effective Jan. 1, and to small group customers in 2017.

“This is an exciting time for not only Aetna and Providence Health & Services, but also for members and employers in Los Angeles County,” Aetna’s President of Southern California Richard Lee said. “Aetna is already working with Providence on an accountable care collaboration in Washington and we look forward to joining forces with them again to improve health care delivery and affordability in Southern California.”

Aetna members will have access to care from Providence's hospitals, urgent care centers and health providers, including specialists, in the Los Angeles area. The collaboration will provide a coordinated health care experience for Aetna patients and lower costs for employees enrolled in employer-provided plans.

“We are very pleased to work in partnership with Aetna to bring this type of product to the market,” Providence Southern California Medical Foundations CEO Jim Slaggert said. “It aligns with our continued efforts to foster innovation in the delivery of value-based care to our communities, with a focus on customer service, wellness and care coordinated across the continuum of services.”