Doctor writing prescription, Adobe Stock image
Fresno Unified School District (FUSD) on Wednesday evening announced a temporary reprieve to the disruption of Aetna insurance coverage for teacher retirees at Community Health Centers.
Community has agreed to an extension of retiree access to physician office visits and to receive prescription refills through Feb. 20. Community and Aetna have been locked in a contract dispute since Dec. 31 that affects about 1,500 FUSD retirees on Medicare who receive care primarily at Community.
As a result, the retirees suddenly found their existing Community-affiliated physicians and caregivers outside of their Aetna coverage network.
FUSD officials and members of the Fresno Teachers Association (FTA) have been critical of Community during the dispute, saying the retirees were being used as pawns.
Community Health System is actively negotiating with Aetna to provide “high-quality care at a fair rate,” said Aldo De La Torre, president of Community’s insurance services and managed care division, in a statement.
“Our ability to provide high-quality, accessible care to the entire community depends on contracts that fairly reimburse physicians, nurses, and care teams for the services they deliver.”
The Joint Health Management Board , the body that ensures FUSD’s employee-benefits plan meets FTA collective bargaining agreements, was scheduled to meet on Thursday to vote on alternative options to provide care to retirees, said FUSD Superintendent Misty Her.