Aetna is First National Health Plan to Contract with the Department of Veterans Affairs

One big question - how do the recognized in-network providers handle referrals, claims, etc. How does this work with the in-house VA system? It appears the VA physicians might now get some exposure to some additional administrative functions with claims and encounter information, which has all been handled in house by the VA for years. BD

HARTFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aetna (NYSE:AET) announced today that it is the first national health plan to sign a participating provider agreement with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for Aetna members who are also enrolled and receiving health care services from the VA. Health care providers participating with the VA now are recognized as in-network participating providers for all health plans administered by Aetna.
VA has 153 hospitals, 881 outpatient clinics, and 135 Nursing Home Care units and is the largest integrated health care system in the United States. The agreement also includes employed and contracted physicians, including dental and behavioral health providers, in the United States and Puerto Rico.
“Aetna is committed to helping our members achieve optimal health and access cost-effective, quality care,” said Allen Karp, Aetna’s vice president of Health Care Delivery. “We are pleased that through this agreement with VA, we can offer members greater choice of health care options and in particular, services that are relevant to veterans.”