Deborah Heart and Lung Center to Terminate Aetna From Network

BROWNS MILLS, NJ--(Marketwire - Jul 31, 2012) - Deborah Heart and Lung Center, a specialty heart, lung and vascular hospital in Browns Mills, NJ has announced it will terminate its long-standing relationship with Aetna (formerly US Healthcare) as of September 1, 2012.

In making the announcement, Deborah cites Aetna's low proposed rates as the key deciding factor in leaving the insurance company's network.

"It is unsustainable for us to continue Aetna as a network provider with the reimbursement rates that they have offered us," said Deborah President and CEO Joseph P. Chirichella. "In addition to providing top-quality care, Deborah is a non-profit hospital that each year provides millions of dollars of care to uninsured patients, as well as foregoing deductibles and co-pays to those with insurance."

This year Deborah was ranked as one of the top 50 cardiovascular hospitals in the country by Thomson Reuters; ranked #1 in the state for patient safety by one of the country's leading consumer rating publications; and was ranked in the top 1% in the nation for patient satisfaction by Health Grades, the agency used by the federal government to measure hospital quality.

Deborah is issuing letters to its approximately 1,900 Aetna patients informing them of the company's termination.

"We are saddened that a twenty-year business relationship with Aetna may be coming to an end," added Chirichella. "We will continue to negotiate until the very last minute with the hope that we can come to an agreement. Our Aetna patients greatly appreciate the quality of care that they receive at Deborah, and we will do everything possible to help these patients prepare for any transition of care that is required."