Norman Regional Health System Updates on Aetna Insurance Contract Discussions

Norman Regional Health System is currently engaged in routine negotiations with our insurance partners to ensure our agreements reflect the true cost of delivering high-quality care. This is a normal part of healthcare operations and other healthcare systems in our region have experienced this as well.

Like many healthcare organizations across the country, we are experiencing rising costs related to staffing, supplies, and technology. It is important that our payer contracts remain aligned with these realities so we can continue to invest in our services and care for our community.

Recent Updates for Aetna Policyholders 

For months now, Norman Regional Health System has worked to negotiate an updated agreement with Aetna on new contracts for 2026. However, despite Norman Regional’s best efforts, Aetna rejected an agreement that would allow for sustainable provision of healthcare for Aetna’s policyholders.

Starting August 1, 2026, non-emergency, scheduled elective services provided at NRHS will no longer be in-network for Aetna policyholders.

This issue expands beyond Norman and our community. Across the country, healthcare providers are experiencing rising costs related to staffing, supplies, and technology. It is important that payer contracts remain aligned with these realities so hospitals can continue to invest in services and care for their communities.

This is not the outcome we wanted for our patients. We believe our community deserves access to its local healthcare system, and we want Aetna to do better for the patients who rely on Norman Regional for their care.

Policyholders with Aetna, can call Aetna at 1-800-872-3862 and urge Aetna to ensure patients have access to expert healthcare by resuming Norman Regional’s network partnership.

Aetna Better Health Medicaid, including SoonerSelect, is not affected by this change.

We Love Caring for You

We thank Aetna policyholders trusting Norman Regional with their care. We want to continue to care for you and encourage you to let your insurance provider know you value our expert physicians, compassionate nurses and convenient facilities.

Please call and urge Aetna to ensure patients have access to expert healthcare by resuming Norman Regional’s network partnership.

Aetna: 1-800-872-3862

What Patients Need to Know

• By law, emergency room visits, hospital admissions through the emergency room, and associated emergency ambulance transfers (ground and air) are generally covered by health plans regardless of network status when a patient has an emergency medical condition as defined by the prudent layperson standard.
• NRHS and NHealth are out-of-network for Aetna policy holders for elective lab, imaging, wound care, sleep visits, and surgery as well as physical, speech, and occupational therapy.
• Some physicians and advanced practice professionals only have medical staff privileges at NRHS facilities. As such, they may not be able to perform procedures at other facilities that are in-network for Aetna policyholders. Please consult with your physician before scheduling a procedure.
• Aetna policyholders who seek services (other than emergency care) at NRHS will likely incur higher out-of-pocket expenses than if they used an in-network facility or physician. Some insurance plans will pay a portion of out-of-network costs. Patients can contact Aetna for specific questions regarding their benefit plan and out-of-network services.

Frequently Asked Questions

As of August 1, 2026, Norman Regional Health System (NRHS) is out of network with Aetna. Our previous agreement was extended through July 31, 2026, but despite our good-faith efforts, we were not able to reach a new agreement by that date.

Being “out of network” means Aetna no longer has a contract that sets agreed upon rates for what the insurance company reimburses our health system, for care at our hospitals and facilities. We remain committed to reaching a fair agreement with Aetna.

This change affects patients who use Norman Regional facilities and employed providers and who are covered by the following Aetna plans:

• Aetna commercial plans (including employer-sponsored plans)
• Aetna Medicare Advantage plans
• Applicable Aetna administrative-services-only (ASO) plans

Not sure if you’re affected? Check your member ID card or call the number on the back of your card to ask Aetna directly.

The change applies to Norman Regional Health System hospitals, facilities, and employed providers under the affected Aetna agreements. If you receive care from an independent physician who is not employed by NRHS, that provider’s network status may be different — please confirm with your provider’s office and with Aetna.

We remain committed to reaching an agreement that is affordable and sustainable for the patients and communities we serve. Our team is willing to negotiate in good faith with Aetna and hopes to restore in-network access as quickly as possible. If an agreement is reached, we will update this page and notify affected patients.

Q: How is Norman Regional helping Aetna policyholders?

If Aetna does not provide out-of-network or Transition of Care benefits, Norman Regional may be able to help.

Patients can apply for Financial Assistance. Approval is based on:

• Household income
• Federal poverty guidelines

Some patients may qualify for a 70% to 100% discount on their bill.

You can find our charity application and policy here. https://www.normanregional.com/pay-your-bill/financial-assistance/

Q: What if a patient does not qualify for Financial Assistance?

Patients may still have other options.

These include:

• Self-pay pricing
• A 40% discount on charges
• Monthly payment plans
• MD Save pricing for some procedures. Please find more information about MDSave here. https://www.mdsave.com/norman-regional-health-system-price-list?q=all-procedures

Q: What can patients do to help?

Patients can:

• Call the Member Services number on the back of their Aetna insurance card and share their concerns.
• Call Aetna's corporate office at 1-800-872-3862.
• Talk with their employer or Human Resources department about the issue if they get insurance through work.

No. If your insurance is not through Aetna, this change does not affect your coverage or your care at Norman Regional. You can continue to receive care as you always have.

You may qualify for transition of care. This protection may allow you to keep your in-network benefits at Norman Regional for a limited time while you complete an active course of treatment.

Continuity of care commonly applies to situations such as pregnancy, active cancer treatment, recent surgery, or other serious or complex conditions. To request it, contact Aetna using the number on your member ID card and ask about a transition-of-care or continuity-of-care request. Our team can help you with this — please call us at the number below.

If you are admitted to the hospital (inpatient) at the time this change takes effect, protections generally apply so that your ongoing hospital stay continues to be covered at your in-network level. Please speak with our care management or financial counseling team so we can assist you and coordinate with Aetna.

Please don’t cancel your care before talking with us. Depending on your plan and situation, you may qualify for continuity-of-care benefits, or you may have other options. Contact our team so we can review your specific situation, help you understand potential costs, and connect you with a financial counselor if needed.

Never delay emergency care. In an emergency, come to Norman Regional or call 911. Under federal law, emergency care is covered at your in-network cost-sharing level even when a hospital is out of network, and you are protected from surprise balance billing for emergency services.

Yes. You are always welcome at Norman Regional. We offer self-pay pricing, prompt-pay options, payment plans, and financial-assistance programs for those who qualify. Our financial counselors can review your options with you and help you understand your estimated costs before your care whenever possible.

Here are the steps we recommend:

• Call Aetna using the number on the back of your member ID card to ask about your benefits and continuity-of-care options.
• Call our dedicated help line (below) so our team can assist with continuity-of-care requests, cost estimates, and financial-assistance options.
• Don’t delay needed care — especially emergencies. Talk with us first if you have questions about scheduled care.

Our team is here to help. Please contact us and we’ll walk you through your options.