Overview

• Board members approved steps to line up alternative providers and hire contract clinicians if Duke leaves Aetna’s network when the contract expires Oct. 20.
• The resolution passed with six votes in favor and two abstentions, marking an unprecedented move to protect access for members.
• Roughly 22,000 to 23,000 members list Duke as their primary care provider and about 40,000 have filed a claim with Duke this year, placing tens of thousands at risk of changing doctors.
• State law allows continuity-of-care for cancer treatment and maternity patients to keep seeing Duke, though paperwork must be completed to maintain coverage.
• Duke says it has gone four years without a rate increase and seeks modest adjustments, Aetna calls the ask unreasonable given high costs in North Carolina, and the treasurer criticized Duke’s outreach to members.