Overview

• Both sides announced a new multi-year contract that maintains Aetna members’ access to all Duke Health locations and providers.
• The deal was finalized ahead of the Oct. 16 contract expiration, preventing any interruption in in-network care.
• Financial terms were not disclosed, and state officials said the outcome will not necessitate a State Health Plan premium hike in 2027 after increases were already set for 2026 alongside a $100 million legislative appropriation.
• The State Health Plan counts roughly 743,000 members and represents Aetna’s largest North Carolina customer within a statewide Aetna membership of about 1.5 million.
• Duke sought higher reimbursement after four years without a rate adjustment, the SHP board readied transition support in case of a lapse, and continuity-of-care protections would have covered ongoing cancer and maternity patients, with about 22,000–23,000 members using Duke for primary care and roughly 40,000 filing Duke claims this year.