Sutter Health/Aetna Contract Negotiations Update

Sutter Health’s agreement with Aetna for commercial HMO, EPO and PPO products in Northern California is set to expire on June 30, 2025. They’ve been actively engaged in good faith negotiations for many months to renew the agreement, and discussions are ongoing. However, they have not yet reached a resolution.  

Unfortunately, Aetna began notifying their HMO members that they will be reassigned to non-Sutter doctors effective July 1, 2025.

This is concerning as the current agreement includes a six-month transition period through Dec. 31, 2025, which is intended to allow patients to continue seeing their Sutter providers while negotiations continue. Aetna’s decision to bypass this transition period will result in unnecessary disruption and confusion for thousands of HMO members — and patients.

Please note:

• This update applies only to Aetna HMO members.
• They are not aware of any action being taken with Aetna EPO or PPO members.
• The existing agreement provides a transition period for EPO and PPO members to continue seeing their Sutter providers as though they are in-network for up to six months, if their provider was in-network as of June 30, 2025. 

Sutter Health remains committed to reaching a fair agreement with Aetna and minimizing any disruption in care. They are preparing to send communications to impacted Sutter patients providing a clear update on the status of negotiations and the steps they can take to keep their Sutter doctor.

For a complete list of the specific products that include Sutter Health's doctors, hospitals and other healthcare services, please check with the health plan directly or visit sutterhealth.org/health-plan. 

The information in this update does not apply to Sansum Clinic serving the Greater Central Coast Division.