Lehigh Valley Physician Hospital, Aetna reach agreement on new four-year contract for LVHN

Aetna announced that it has reached agreement on a new four-year contract for Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) with Lehigh Valley Physician Hospital Inc., DBA Valley Preferred. Under the agreement, the Lehigh Valley Hospital facilities in Allentown and Bethlehem will continue to provide covered benefits, at in-network rates, to Aetna members in the Lehigh Valley area.

Members also will have access to the more than 500 members of the Lehigh Valley Physician Group.

"Aetna is very pleased to reach agreement on a contract that extends our affiliation with Lehigh Valley Health Network for an additional four years," said Robert Kleman, vice president of network operations for Aetna's Southeastern Pennsylvania market. "The hospital occupies a prominent health care delivery position in the Lehigh Valley. We're hopeful our continued relationship will aid Aetna's efforts to grow membership in the area."

"Valley Preferred is delighted to extend contractual terms through Lehigh Valley Health Network with Aetna," said Dr. Jack Lenhart, executive director of Lehigh Valley Physician Hospital Inc., DBA Valley Preferred. "We also are encouraged by a shared interest to grow membership in a manner that strengthens our relationship and enhances the value of improving outcomes and the health status of the population we serve."

Aetna provides health benefits to more than 1 million people in Pennsylvania. In Southeast Pennsylvania, members have access to a network that includes 67 contracted hospitals and more than 18,000 primary care physicians and specialists.