OB/GYN, Aetna Dispute Could Affect 5,000 Arizona Patients

Approximately 5,000 Phoenix women covered by Aetna could be forced to switch physicians because of a dispute between the insurance company and Drs. Goodman and Partridge OB/GYN, according to an AZ Central report.

Drs. Goodman and Partridge OB/GYN said Monday it will no longer contract with Aetna effective May 15 over disagreements about the health insurer's administrative practices and reimbursement rates.

If the contract lapses, the medical practice will no longer be "in-network" with Aetna, forcing Aetna-insured patients to switch physicians or pay cash for the same services.

Goodman and Partridge executives said Aetna has proposed paying approximately the same rates it did 10 years ago, which are substantially less than the rates paid by other insurers. Aetna officials said the physicians are asking for too much.  

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